By Kim Miller | Equestrian Writer

Like many of his international show jumping contemporaries -- all around the world -- traveling with a Haygain enables a reduction of up to 99% of the dust, mould, bacteria and other allergens commonly found all hays. The steaming process improves palatability and creates a consistent moist texture. Above all, it's virtually free of respirable irritants.

The full-bale HG 2000 model weighs 75 kgs and is often the stay-at-home steamer, while smaller-capacity, more easily portable units travel to competition. Not for DLS Show Jumping: the HG 2000 goes on the lorry and keeps David's top contenders on their familiar forage quality throughout the show circuit.

"It's dead easy," reports David of steamer usage at home and at shows. Thrice daily forage feedings are the routine at DLS. While one meal is being consumed, the next meal is being steamed. The positive effects of High Temperature Hay Steaming remain for at least 24 hours when the hay is stored free of new contaminants and linger much longer in many environments.

He went right back at it when competition resumed this season, most recently taking the top honors with Foudre F in the Bolesworth International CSI3* Grand Prix. That capped a weekend's worth of wins and strong finishes for more horses moving up the levels.

This year, David and Foudre have also won the 3* Grand Prix in Prague, finished 2nd in the Grand Prix at Hickstead and were on the winning Irish Nations Cup team in Peelbergen. Along with Foudre F, David hopes to keep the talented stallion Carleyle in his string – a relatively new horse who made his 5* debut with David earlier this year at Royal Windsor Horse Show. As a sales operation, no horse is entirely "off the market," but these two look likely to carry his international ambitions far into the future.

Whether the horses will be stars for David and Louise or one of their sales clients, they'll benefit from Haygain Steamed Hay along the way.