ALL THE WORLD'S A SHOW JUMPING ARENA

The UK's Scott Brash and Ben Maher on the international show jumping circuit

The recent case of a British doctor struck off for moonlighting as an international show jumping commentator - having taken repeated sick leave from his NHS hospital employer (1) - has caused me to reflect on the apparent rude health of UK show jumping as reflected on the global circuit.

Scotsman Scott Brash is currently Number 1 in the Longlines International Equestrian Federation (FEI) world rankings, having been preceded in this position by fellow Briton Ben Maher. Both are pictured above with large cheques at Florida's Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (2).

Horse and Hound magazine recently gave 17 reasons why "the flying Scotsman" is the world number 1 show jumper "for the 12th consecutive month, making him the first show jumper since Germany’s Marcus Ehning in 2006" to achieve this feat (3).

Meanwhile, off course, Scott Brash earlier this year purchased the Essex house of ex-glamour model  businesswoman and fellow equestrian Katie Price, whilst she bought Conservative Party grandee Francis Maud's former home (4).

The disgraced NHS urologist might want to consider retraining as a plastic surgeon and seek a private sector employer more sympathetic to his pursuing a second business. After all, a former GP and now health care entrepreneur was the winning horse trainer in this year's Grand National (5).

Notes
1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2803787/Junior-doctor-struck-taking-sick-leave-work-jumping-TV-coverage-Urologist-caught-colleague-recognised-voice-commentary.html

2. http://www.ijrc.org/scott-brash-hello-sanctos-steal-show-500000-fti-consulting-finale-grand-prix-csi-5

3.  http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/scott-brash-world-number-one-pictures/

4.  http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/katie-price-buys-new-mansion-4463372

5.  http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/national-sport/pineau-de-re-wins-grand-6925172

Postscript - Equestrian enthusiasts may find these Coursera Moocs of interest: https://www.coursera.org/course/equinenutrition and https://www.coursera.org/course/thehorsecourse