Pampered ex-International show jumping horse demands high definition on her backstage rider

Hold your horses, what’s this? A horse watching HDTV, I hear you say….or should that be… neigh?! You may have thought you’d seen everything. As it turns out, this is no ordinary horse. It’s actually prizing winning ex-International show jumper ‘Belle De Harlequin’ or Belly Bumps for short, one of the most pampered horses in Britain.

Proud owner Vicky Davies explains how Belly Bumps, who retired from competition last year due to injury, came to be watching HDTV at the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead:

“I didn’t want Belly Bumps to miss out, so I decided to go after the next best thing, a luxurious stable a stone’s throw from the action, kitted out with her winning trophies, horse treats, a grooming station and a 52inch TV with Sky+HD.  People might think it’s extravagant but this old timer deserves a little pampering.”  

Ed Lyall, head vet at Hickstead comments: “Belly Bumps has been responding to the action on screen. The clarity of the images and sound provide a great stimulus, and her ears are constantly pricked forward showing she’s engaged with the television. She seems to recognise some of her fellow stable mates and viewing other horses will certainly stop her feeling lonely.”

Davies got in contact with Sky last week to arrange the special high definition install and enlisted Redmire Stables to create the luxury home. Martin Dowdy, the engineer who installed the stable added:  “We had a few hurdles to get over but we managed to do it.  I hope I’m looked after as well in my retirement!”

Belly Bumps certainly can’t stirrup a fuss now, because she’s guaranteed not to feel left out, with four days of live coverage of the Longines Royal International Horse Show to view, all in high definition on Sky Sports from 14:30 on Thursday 23rd July.