Success Stories

This is my ex-racehorse “Lord Raffles” (Raffles) enjoying the cross country phase at Catton Park Horse Trials with my sister Paula.

I have owned Raffles for 18 months and bought him off eventer Matt Heath who used to ride Raffles as a racehorse at Paul Webber’s yard. After racing Matt retrained him as an eventer/all-rounder and I saw him advertised in Horse Deals. I had no previous experience with ex-racehorses but he was the right height for me at 16hh and I liked the look of him in the advert so went to see him. I fell in love with him straight away.

After realising that I was too nervous to event I have concentrated on dressage with him and have had lots of success at prelim and novice level, qualifying him for the prelim Petplan area festival this year at Hartpury College. Raffles has also been eventing with Paula and in 2008 he was placed in the top 10 at BE intro level at nearly every event, and in 2009 successfully moved up to pre-novice level, qualifying for the pre-novice regional finals in 2010. He is also competing BSJA at BN and Discovery, winning the BN class at his last outing.

Buying Raffles was the best thing I ever did, he loves his work and he always tries so hard to please.

(Written by Sarah Wallis, January 2010)

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Dunston Trigger is 15 years old and has been retired from racing since he was 8 years old. He broke down racing due to his tendons; injections and lasering were tried amongst other things but eventually the vets thought it best that he be put to sleep. His owner Tania Harrison couldn’t bear that, so she brought him home and turned him out to give him a fighting chance.

A year later, it was obvious that he would never race again, so it was time for a career change. He was a very nervous horse who took plenty of re-training, but the results have been tremendous.

Trig, or ‘Pig’ as he is affectionately known, has points at BSJA and has successfully competed at both Intro and Pre-Novice eventing, winning at Intro and placed top six at Pre-novice on several occasions. In seven years he has never had a stop at cross country although he has been known to roll a pole show jumping.

After six years at BE with Tania, Trig decided that it was time to take life a little easier and he now has a new jockey and joint owner, Carol-Anne Boulton. Trig has relished in the task of teaching his less experienced rider. Together they are now being placed at BD, riding club level show-jumping, showing and at the new BE training classes, where they came 2nd in their first event together.

The phrase, ‘Trained to run, Retrained for fun’ is particularly apt for Trig; at 15 he is enjoying his retirement, although we sometimes wish he would act his age when he is in the field playing!

(Written by Carol-Anne Boulton, January 2010)

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Our ex-racehorse arrived with the stable name George, this very quickly changed to "Gorgeous George" as he has become a model along with his owner Pippa, a Law student at Chester.

He has many talents including progressing from intro to pre novice eventing last season. Qualifying for the Pony Club dressage Championships, making excellent use of his free BD membership thanks to RoR (he has not been out of the top 3 at all his BD events). He has also hunted and the name "Georgeous George" really began to stick when he won the first Trailblazer Showing retrained racehorse class he entered.

George came to us via a friend whose neighbour had bought him from a dealer for her 12 year old daughter, he had proved very unsuitable but our friend felt he was a kind soul who deserved another chance. At six-years-old, 15.3hh with a clean vetting and brief racing career (under the name Firmount) which included a win on the flat and a few attempts at hurdling we decided to take a chance on him.

Pippa and George soon formed a great partnership, schooling him and getting help from professionals has proved rewarding. George is also safe enough for Mum to hack out on and Dad to deal with in the stable, although he did come with the odd stable vice these soon eased once he was turned out regularly and was treated kindly but firmly.

As DC of our local Pony Club I have seen many people buy the wrong horse, I would certainly not have recommended an ex-racehorse but I am delighted to say George has given me a fresh insight. I would not like to see one go to inexperienced hands but with correct schooling and empathy these wonderful creatures have so much to offer, and when the price tag on so many horses now is so high it is fantastic to think of the quality and talent you can afford with an ex-racehorse.

(Written by Billie Weld-Blundell - Pippa's mum and George's part time groom and chauffeur, January 2010)

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Oliver Blower has had his retrained racehorse, Little Miss Tricky, for five years now.

This photo was taken when Oli and Tricky travelled with their Melton Mowbray Horseball Club team mates to compete in the FIHB Horseball Champions League in November 2008. The team finished 4th overall!

The team qualified for the competition as winners of the British Horseball Association League in 2007. They also won the Open Championships and League in 2008 and the Open Championships in 2009 (there was no BHA 2009 as we opted for Regional competitions).

The pair also travelled as part of the 2009 European Cup squad to Oviedo, Spain in September this year representing Great Britain!

This means that Melton are arguably the best horseball team in the UK and Tricky is one of the best horseball horses in the world!

(Written by Emma Lowther, December 2009)

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I thought you might like to take a look at myself and my ex-racehorse, Hometomammy, on Boxing Day. We or rather I, decided to have a go at side saddle, an ambition of mine. So 10 days prior to the Boxing Day hunting meet I purchased a side saddle to fit my 16hh six-year-old TB. Well with the weather being absolutely awful, we ended up with only five days to trial it after work.

As you can see, we managed to make it to the meet and even hunt for a couple of hours. He was an absolute gent and it was an honour to ride him down Broadway High Street (North Cotswold Hunt) with everyone clapping and cheering.

I would just like every one to see that it is possible, to achieve what might seem the impossible at the time. With a little courage and dedication, you can feel like the lady of the hunt.

(Written by Debbie Barritt, December 2009)

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I took Kali (aka Kalambari) on loan last November. I had very limited experience with ex-racehorses but had always been interested. He had undergone some retraining such as basic flatwork and had schooled over some jumps, so I didn't think it would be too much of a problem as he had such a good temperament.

I quickly fell in love with him and when the owner emailed in March to ask for him back I was devastated. Luckily she offered to let me buy him, and I got him vetted before I said yes. Well the vetting couldn't have been worse. Although he was immaculately behaved, various problems came up such as injuries to both eyes, asymmetrical pelvis, thickening of left fore tendon, deep scar tissue on left fore knee, intermittently lame, grade 1 heart murmur etc.

It was concluded that his left leg was an old injury that he's learnt to compensate for. He would need very careful riding to build up his top line without damaging his pelvis and his future was unclear if he continued doing what I wanted to do (low level RC). He was generally fit for light hack and schooling.

I was heart broken and asked everybody what I should do. Not surprisingly, everybody said send him back. However, I contacted Fred and Rowena Cook who couldn't have been more helpful. They went through everything and supported me when I said I still really wanted him.

Since then, I haven't regretted a second of it. I even feel guilty that for one moment I gave up on him. His pelvis is now corrected, he has come sound with a bit of rest and gentle riding, has corrective shoeing and is competing successfully in prelim dressage. He's got an amazing movement and every test we do comments on how much potential he has. I'm sure that he'll go far but we're in no rush, right now I just feel so lucky to have him.

The message I want to get out is don't give up! When taking on an ex-racehorse I think its likely that they have the odd injury but I think they all deserve a second chance in life- injured or not. It’s incredible what can happen with a bit of TLC.

(Written by Tara Jones, October 2009)

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I got Jake in October 2008 and really want to try and make an eventer of him. He had previously been pointing and had run in National Hunt races.

This photo is of him over that first winter when I had him – he did look poor and very under condition as he had no muscle. He looks much better now. I am building him up on the flat and hoping to do a bit more jumping over this winter as he is re-learning how to jump and wait for the fence as from his racing days I presume he puts more energy into getting to the fence than jumping over it!

We have been out to do a few dressage classes, only prelims, and I qualified for the Solihull Riding Club Championships. We took part and ended up winning with a score of 70.4% which I was really chuffed with. We received a lovely trophy and rosette with some promising comments.

(Written by Sarah Johnstone, October 2009)

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Emma Ayling and her ex-racehorse Lady Charlemagne won the Baileys sponsored dressage league at Hickstead this year, which is also supported by RoR.

Hickstead holds unaffilated dressage from April till September, for which competitors have a score card which is signed by the organiser after every event. Each competitor scores points according to what percentage is attained: under 56% 1 point, 56% 2 Points, 58% 4 points,60% 6 points etc. Then at the end of the league the points are added up.

Here’s Emma’s success story:

“I have always liked thoroughbreds and enjoyed schooling horses so the fact I can put both of those things together and also give the 'ex-racehorse' another purpose in life gives me alot of pleasure.

Lady Charlemagne (known as Charley at home) is my four-year-old mare that won the dressage league at Hickstead. I purchased her from Ascot race sales only at the end of February 2009. She had flat raced up to sale and was just too slow.

I firstly did lots of local dressage with her, scoring between 58% and 62% and improving up to a few 69%'s !!. More recently I’ve taught her to jump at which she has showed huge potential with her attitude and brain. We went cross country schooling for the first time in September and she jumped ditches, logs, barrels, steps up and down, water, first time and without even a lead. She is now having a well deserved holiday. I will bring her back next season with the plan to complete a couple of BE intros and maybe finishing the season on pre novice. I will wait and see and will be very careful not to rush her.

I also have a few other ex-racehorses. Star of Wonder (aka Star) I’ve had since she was four, now 11 she is in foal. We have completed a few seasons BE eventing, and have a wonderful partnership together. Recently I bought a four-year-old gelding, King of Pentacles (aka Vinny) from Normandie Stud, who is is already showing a lovely willing attitude to learn and is an athletic mover, so I’m hoping in time he will make a nice event horse."

(Written by Emma Ayling, October 2009)

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Kicking King, the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, is also proving a success in the showing ring.

He has participated in just two shows so far in his new life with Elaine Taaffe. One was the RoR/Tattersalls Show Series class at the Tattersalls/Ward Union Show in Ireland where he was second and qualified for the Series Final at Hickstead next year.

He also took part in the inaugural Racehorse to Riding Horse Class at the Dublin Horse Show, where he finished fourth. He was up against some other notable racehorses such as Champion Hurdle winner Brave Inca who won the class, and former dual champion chaser Moscow Flyer who came fifth (pictured from left to right: Moscow Flyer, Kicking King, Brave Inca).

Elaine is thrilled at his progress, commenting: "Judges love him but we need to do lots of work on him so I am doing dressage this winter with him. We are looking forward to Hickstead 2010 and hopefully more shows with RoR next year, once we get his gallop slower!"

(Written by Elaine Taaffe, September 2009)

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My horse Buzz, racing name Getatem, came to me from Linda Perratt’s training yard where he was a successful flat horse.

I retrained him myself and he has been a complete joy to own. He is rather spoiled and loves a jar of manuka honey every week, along with loads of ginger nuts. I think he is enjoying his life away from racing, and we now enjoy showing together. We have learnt so much together I can’t imagine life without him. He also helped me get over the loss of my mare to colic.

So far Buzz has been very successful in showing. We have been placed first and second at the Festival of Champions, and third at Blair Castle Championship Ex-racehorse Show where the competition was very strong with all the other competitors being previous champions. We have a wall full of rosettes and have been placed first to fifth at ex-racer shows as well.

(Written by Jennifer Lister, August 2009)

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Two years ago my Mum and I bought a 10 year old grey
gelding from a friend with point to pointing in mind, however a month later after standing novice champion at his first show just a week after learning to canter on the right lead our plans changed.

Gray Knight or GK, as he is known as at home, and I haven't really looked back since.  After starting life at Henrietta Knight's, GK showed a little potential in
bumpers and hurdles before progressing to chases and then point to pointing, where he ran 25 times winning and being placed most times.

For the first summer GK and I contested in a number of show classes and were never out of the top 3, we ended the season as champion ex-racehorse at the SWPA championships. Mum then hunted him through the winter where he enjoyed field mastering and whipping in, proving to be a true gentleman. GK and I have now just spent the last two years continuing in show classes, as well as enjoying eventing, showjumping, pony club and just happy hacking. He is the nicest horse to do, and has a really laid back attitude as well as being very willing to learn. We have been chosen to represent pony club in area dressage and will be going to pony club camp.

I was compelled to write this story after standing supreme
champion at an open show this weekend. I hope that him and I will perhaps one day qualify for the RoR show class and maybe even HOYS. If not I can genuinely say that GK is the best horse I have ever had and I hope the fun
we have together will continue.

(Written by Laura Grey, August 2009)

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My husband and I bought a racehorse in training in February 2007 called Charming Ballet, a short distance sprinter. He won for us and then developed a bleeding condition so we retired him and brought him home. We then purchased three more racehorses, Mr Napoloen who when on to win us a lot of money in racing, Hawa Khana, and Barranco from Gary Moore who had injured his leg and needed a good home.

Unfortunately, my husband had a serious accident at the Nad al Sheba racecourse and fractured his back. He has been unable to work so all of the horses have now stopped racing and live at a livery yard with my showjumper in West Sussex.

All of our ex-racehorses are a pleasure to own. They are all individual and we love them dearly. My eight-year-old daughter and our three foster children ride them and help us to look after them. They are a major part of our family and I would trust them around anyone. Barranco and Charming Ballet do local shows and even our very nervous friends ride them. Hawa Khana is a sweetheart, she is so kind and I am hoping to do dressage with her. Mr Napoleon is a cheeky monkey with attitude, and is being re-trained for showjmping.

I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a horse to look at an ex-racehorse, but you do need to know what you are doing. My horses are so individual and each require different approaches in training. However, I have been told that my bunch are exceptionally good and loving. All they needed was love and care built around trust.

(Written by Sam Gibbons, August 2009)

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I have known and treated Regal Exit since he was two-years-old, and all through his racing career. Regal was kindly given to me by his owners three years ago when he finished racing.

He was originally trained on the Flat by Michael Bell and Mick Channon, but he was much more successful over the Jumps. He went on to be trained by Nicky Henderson where he was a fantastic second in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Since being with me, he has now taken to show jumping. Regal won the 80cm affiliated open and the KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice and the 90cm National Championship Qualifier 1st Round.

He really is an exceptional horse with a massive heart and is always trying his best.

(Written by Rebecca Bosworth, July 2009)

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Compton Bolter is now 12 and I was given him by his owner Eric Penser two years ago. He retired from racing aged 10, having won an impressive 12 races, many of them top level Stakes races including a Group 3.

I came by him by chance really. He was in a paddock with one of Mr Penser’s other horses Compton Drake who had been found a home, but we didn't know what to do with Bolter. I thought he looked rather nice and was very friendly so I casually said to Colin my husband who is stud groom for Mr Penser that, "I wouldn't mind that horse".

I went away for the weekend and came back to find the passport on the table with a note saying he was all mine. I have schooled and hacked him, taken him showing and ride him side saddle and astride. He is very comfy and well mannered and looks rather smug at times especially when side saddle. Colin took him to The HERO's Show for the in-hand class. He so enjoyed himself, and as he hadn't been to any public engagements for a while he was rather precocious but always just managed to contain himself, except when he took a swipe at my burger!

He is really enjoying his new life as a side saddle horse, hack and companion to others. I plan to do more with him next year when my other horse semi-retires, and hope to compete in the side saddle national show. He is such a super chap and I am certain he will continue to improve.

(Written by Helen Lawson, July 2009)

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“I’m Island Sound (Issie to my friends) and I like to think I’m quite a character! (if not yet completely reformed!) I’ve tried my hoof at quite a lot and am currently being put through my paces in the show jumping scene, where as usual I’m doing pretty well, despite every-one’s best efforts to confuse me.

They took me to Chester Racecourse and then fondly expected me to TAKE TURNS to jump the jumps in the collecting ring! Hanging back for others is taking manners to the extreme – especially when I can see those others down on the track limbering up! If elephants don’t forget – how am I expected to- after all it was only 8 years ago that I made all the running in the well-known Dee Stakes!

Once they ring that bell thing though and show me the respect I deserve by allowing me the whole joint to myself, the job is on, and I’m a different fellow! Her on top thinks any old rosette is good enough – but red goes much better with my colouring and I’m not going to settle for anything less. Shame the winnings in BSJA don’t quite come up to the standard I’ve come to expect in my racing career, but life on the whole is not too bad. As for the future----- well I’ve always fancied myself in front of a landau--- but then there’s all those speed cameras…….”

Trained throughout by David Elsworth, Island Sound ran 43 races on the flat, over hurdles and jumps between 1999 and 2005. He won a total of £88,576 prize money, which included wins at Newmarket (a Listed Race), Newbury, Epsom and Salisbury on the Flat, and Taunton, Wincanton and Stratford over jumps.

Island Sound’s second career is proving equally successful having qualified in the RoR showing series, and competing in unaffiliated Dressage with many wins. More recently he has started BSJA Showjumping, and qualified for the Scope Championship, British Novice, Equissage Discovery and Amateur Showjumping regional finals.

(Written by Jane Gough-Roberts, June 2009)

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Ringside View was in training with Ferdy Murphy and later Charlie Mann, and he ran on the flat and over hurdles. He won over hurdles under the famous Adrian Maguire, but apparently took some cajoling!!!

I purchased him four years ago when he did not even know how to canter, let alone try a circle. He had been with a hunting family since leaving racing, and loves to be out doing things. All the work has been done by me, a complete amateur, and we have never looked back. He has the most amazing laid back attitude and took to schooling well. His stunning looks proving more suitable for the show ring.

He loves to show off and our highlight so far was to become the 2008 Retrained Racehorse Champion and Group champion at the Chiltern and Thames Rider Championships. We hope to better our success in 2009, and to one day qualify for the RoR final.

(Written by Emma Dyer, June 2009)

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Commanche Kate aka Stroppy had a near fatal accident as a two-year-old, she ended up wrapped up in a barbed wire fence and rabbit netting and still bears the scars on her hind legs.  However, she still went into race training as a four-year-old with Charlie Morlock, and raced once but it wasn’t for her.

Her then owner brought her home with the intention of eventing her, but due to her ‘excitable’ nature the dressage side did not work out, this is when she was offered to me.  I bought Stroppy in March 2005, she’s a real character, almost human in fact, she loves her chocolate and her cake.

For the first year we just had a play about and got to know one another.  I mainly show jumped her and did a bit of cross country.  In 2006 we fell across the ROR Showing classes in the Chiltern Rider magazine and went along to Caddington Riding Club to have a go, and that’s where Stroppy’s showing career started.

We then entered four local classes, placed each time and qualified for the Chiltern and Thames Showing Championships where she was awarded a commendable 8th place!

At Leicester County Show this year she came 2nd in the RoR/Tattersalls Show Series class; I’m such a proud mummy!

She also loves hunter trials and enjoys show jumping.  We are still working at the dressage, it’s just not exciting enough for her – she just loves a party.

(Written by Amanda Docherty, May 2009)

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Donald came to me in October 2003 from the charitable retraining centre, Greatwood. Helen Yeadon and her fantastic team had chosen Donald as a potentially good horse for me after a couple of falls from my previous horse had left me with an injured knee and very little confidence with horses. Donald, aka Southern Dominion in his racing days, had raced a massive 146 times on the flat as a sprinter, gaining 10 wins and 23 places. He was retired in 2002 at the age of 10 and sent to Greatwood for his retirement.

To say that Donald was a quirky horse would be an understatement, he pulled the most evil faces when in his stable or near food, liked to sit on wall mounted objects, and was partial to the odd chunk of my legs and arms. Earning his trust took what seemed like an eternity, but once I had it, we were inseparable. Donald was a horse that would really take care of you no matter what.

Donald was amazingly intelligent, and picked up new things like a old hand. Despite having hardly any experience of jumping, he was soon competing in showjumping and eventing. He had scope to burn, phenomenal style and could tell what I was thinking before I knew it myself. He was sometimes too brave when jumping, but would get me out of any sticky situation.

He was successful in showing classes too, coming 2nd in Best Veteran in the Spring of 2008 and qualifying for 2 major championships. However, my proudest memory of Donald will always be competing for our local riding team, Ladyley's, at the annual club competition in Fife, Scotland in May 2008. Donald behaved beautifully as always, with 2 awe-inspiring rounds over a challenging track of show-jumping fences. Donald had jumped his heart out for me and it was to have a terrible price.

Donald was diagnosed with the dreaded navicular shortly after returning home from the competition, after suffering from lameness in both front feet. Combined with his other wear and tear injuries, it proved too much for him, and he was put to sleep in September following an intense period of failed treatments. He was 16 years old, and taken from me far too soon.

My eternal and heartfelt thanks go to Helen and Michael at Greatwood, for providing me with such a wonderful little horse. I will miss him always.

(Written by Rachael Simpson, April 2009)

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Alligator Alley (Roger) was bought by Paul Webber as an unbroken four-year-old from Ireland in 2000. It took Trevor Heath, Paul's Head Lad and Matthew's father, about three months to break him in; he was very nervous and needed a lot of confidence boosting and time.

In 2002 Roger had his first run in a National Hunt Flat race at Chepstow where he was last. Two subsequent runs did not improve his form at all!

Roger's owners, Andy and Christine Jenkins did not want to send the horse to the sales so they offered him to Matthew to try to re-train as an eventer. This was early in 2003 and Matthew was working for Ann and Nigel Taylor at the time, who gave him advice with the re-training.

Roger ran in his first event, a pre-novice, in May 2004 finishing 9th. He was in the top ten in three out of his first four pre-novices and has been consistently placed at pre-novice, novice and intermediate. He was 14th in his first CCI* and 10th in his first CCI** at Blair. He and Matthew represented GB in the CCI** team in Sweden (finished 4th) in 2007 and are in the squad for the same team event to be held in Hungary in July 2009. He was third in the Open Intermediate at Isleham at the beginning of this season, and now has 95 points.

Whilst Roger's progression through the levels may not have been as rapid as some, his history shows what can be achieved with time and patience (lots!!) with horses which are anything but straightforward.

(Written by Suzanne Heath, March 2009)

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I have to say that it was a complete shock to me when I discovered we had won the ROR special prize for top novice endurance horse registered with Weatherbys.

I've always considered Trooper to be the best as he always tries so hard, and to be awarded a prize was just delightful. Endurance is something we've recently discovered and Troops is loving it!

I've already shown off the RoR jacket at our first competitive ride of the season at Cannock Chase. It must have bought us luck as he did his fastest speed yet and finished on a superb heart rate and achieved another grade 1. I have now decided to upgrade him, and whilst I will still keep him at the shorter distances (we are both advancing in years, Troops is now 18 and I am the wrong side of 50!!) I hope we will be contenders for an award this year. The main thing for me is to have fun and come home safe and sound.

(Written by Anne Green, March 2009)

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Having ridden out for several well known trainers, I was keen to offer a home to an ex- racehorse. My first project was Senna who had raced on the flat with little success. He came to me in October 2004 aged four through word of mouth, and came straight from a field next to the M5 motorway looking rather poor and covered in bites and kicks from his "companion".

Senna took a long time to build up condition and muscle but once he started to find work a little easier he proved to be a super all-rounder with a talent for dressage. We won our riding club novice dressage championships and progressed to affiliated dressage amassing over 120 points. He qualified for the summer open novice regional championships, the winter open novice and elementary winter championships and the Pet Plan elementary championships winning the prize for the best former racehorse.

We also had a crack at eventing, qualifying for the Intro regional championships and completing several Pre-Novice events. We represented our riding club in all disciplines and latterly took part in some team chases.

(Written by Donna Mallon, March 2009. See below for a story on her next successful ex-racehorse)

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Following on from Senna (story above), my current horse is Benellino (Ben) a six-year-old gelding, jump bred by Robellino. He was placed in a bumper and ran over hurdles but was too slow.

Ben came from Ascot sales in July 2008. I went over to his stable where he was stood quietly munching hay and was able to chat to the girl who looked after him. Although looking a little poor and suffering from rain scald, I immediately liked the look of him and decided to go and bid. Fortunately the person bidding against me pulled out before my limit and with the fall of the hammer Ben was mine.

After a few days to settle in, I rode him and he didn't put a foot wrong. He was hacking out on his own two days later and proved willing and honest. He rapidly put on weight and his rain scald cleared up.

Within a month he had been show jumping and cross country schooling, taking everything in his stride and appearing to have a lovely genuine jump. We put together a team to run at the Atherstone team chase only two months after I bought him, and Ben ended up leading at his first ever event, where we came 8th out of over 30 teams. We went on to complete the Bicester, Grafton and the intermediate at the Cotswold. I also took him hunting and he behaved impeccably and was much admired by several people.

Ben had a well earned break at the end of the year and is now back in work. We are working hard on our dressage and have jumping lessons with Stephen Hadley who was very complementary. We hope to do several team chases this spring with a view to doing some Pre-Novice events later, and the RoR class at the Three Counties Show in June.

I am very lucky to have Ben and fortunately he has not been over-raced when his trainer realised he wasn't quite good enough. He has to fit in around a full time job but hopefully we will have lots of fun and success together.

Written by Donna Mallon (March 2009).

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Ridjit was bought from Doncaster Sales in May 2007. He was bought by my boss to go pointing but after riding him for the first time I offered to buy a half share.
He came to this country from Ireland with a massive reputation and his first race was the same as Denmans! He ran over hurdles and fences for trainer Nick Gifford but fell a couple of times and was also brought down once. Needless to say his confidence jumping was non existent.

He was turned out for the summer and before we ran him we decided to take him to a couple of local shows where he won his first prelim dressage test with a score of 73% and followed that up with a couple of placings in some showing classes.

His race season started at Cottenham where he was pulled up three from home, which was disappointing as his work at home had been very good and we'd done alot of jumping to get his confidence up. He then went on to finish 5th and 4th but it was decided his heart wasn't in it so was duly retired. I then bought the other half share. He has since won 7 prelim dressage tests, placed in all his novice tests and won 3 ex racehorse classes. This resulted in him finishing 7th in the SEIB performance championships 2008. Not bad for his first season.

I am hoping to continue his success this season and plan to event him. It's taken along time to build his confidence up jumping but now I have a job to hold him coming into fences. To me he's a superstar and is a complete all-rounder, hacking, hunting, dressage and jumping. I like to think he's now worth alot more than the 50p reserve Nick joked about putting on him before he went through the sales - to me he's priceless!!!

Written by Catherine Shirley (February 2009).

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Yardstick is a chesnut gelding who ran several times on the Flat for racehorse trainer Sylvester Kirk. He is 15.3 tall, bold and adventurous.

He was one of the first to arrive at the Hollesley Bay resting base of “Retraining of Racehorses”. A leg injury forced an early retirement from racing.

Yardstick was the first to be re-housed, moving to a new home on a 115 acre farm in Suffolk. Observation had indicated that he had the potential to work in the field of stunts and tricks. His eager and willing nature, coupled with a blasé approach to new situations, made his new owner optimistic. That optimism was not misplaced.

General schooling confirmed the assessment and new tricks were learned eagerly. His training even included mounted falconry. That is no mean accomplishment for any horse. The most recent accomplishment was to replace a drop out from a jousting season at the last minute. He acquired the rudiments in only a couple of weeks and performed faultlessly during the summer of 2008.

Yardstick is now coming up to seven years of age. He is still on the same Suffolk farm which he shares with his ‘workmates’. Many of them were unwanted and were rescued or re-homed following illness or significant behavioural issues. All now form a cohesive herd who give every indication of enjoying their new lives.

Written by horse master Richard Gibbs of Phoenix Brand Film Horses (January 2009).

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Here is a photograph of my much missed dear old ex-racehorse, Tumnus, in the Autumn of 2007 when he was 33!

He came out of training aged five and I bought him to go eventing from some nice friends who did a blitzkrieg re-schooling job beforehand.

He was good enough to take me round Windsor three-day event, and he was physically very tough and was never
once lame (apart from twice striking into himself across country).

I only stopped hacking him out when he was 26, and that was because I'd badly broken my ankle - he was still raring to go. It was his vital organs that gave out in the end, and sadly I had to have him put down.

Written by Pippa Cuckson (December 2008)

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Winning Spirit, or Spooks as we call him, came to us straight from the racetrack as a four-year old where he had got into trouble by breaking out of the stalls and causing havoc.

However, apart from some stubbornness (usually on loading) and an uncanny ability to tread on your foot, he hasn’t caused us any problems. Within a couple of days of being with us, he was responding to neck reining and showing an amazing ability to stop.

My husband put in a lot of schooling time, and within four weeks he took part in his first polocrosse tournament. He was an absolute star, turning on a sixpence, outrunning every horse on the pitch and riding off easily.

He completed three tournaments this year, winning best no 1 and best no 2 in two of them. The picture shows my husband carrying the ball and riding Spooks while holding off the opposition. Next year, he will hopefully complete a full season and compete in the highest grades.

Written by Karen Smith (November 2008)

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I have been lucky enough to own Rivertown (known as Ben) for three years having seen him advertised in Horse & Hound by Australian eventer Catherine Burrell.

By the Shirley Heights stallion Oak Ridge, who was bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah, Ben started life in New Zealand winning on the flat over a mile. Amanda Perrett brought him to England when he was 5 and he spent two years in training with her when he was 6 and 7. He ran on the flat six times and his last two races were over hurdles but none were remotely successful – Amanda said he was too slow to do himself justice!

Catherine bought him to event and he was placed in the top ten in five of the seven events he did. Sadly for Catherine he injured a tendon and two years later she decided to sell him which was my lucky day as he is an absolute pleasure to own. He is a real gentleman in the stable and the only time he tries to behave badly is when his mane and tail are being pulled and who can blame him for that.

Ben is in all the Kings Leaze Riding Club teams although I have to admit that dressage isn’t really our strong point. His successes this year include winning the individual area Novice Cross-Country at Crown Farm, Oxfordshire, a qualifier for the Riding Club Championships at Aston le Walls in May. Sadly we were unable to take part because of my work commitments. The team also won the Riding Club Area Trials at Broadway to qualify for the 2 Day Event Championships at Offchurch where Ben didn’t put a foot wrong. He is fabulous to ride cross-country especially as he is very careful and loves every minute of it.

Ben’s crowning glory this year was winning the 2008 RoR Challenge Championships at Addington which was incredibly exciting. Again he behaved impeccably to show that ex-racehorses can be ridden by amateurs like me.

We also did the wonderful RoR 3 day clinic at the British Racing School which was taken by Nick Burton. Nick was incredibly helpful and I cannot recommend this course more highly so look out for the next one!

Written by Anna MacDonald (September 2008)

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At the Bannockurn Group of the Riding for the Disabled, we have on loan to us a six-year-old ex-racehorse, Another Misk known in the yard as Winky. He came to us in November 2006 as a thin four-year-old. He had been purchased at the sales by my sister who realised he, despite being so thin and having a bashed eye, had a very good frame and nice temperament.

She gave him a couple of months in the field and feeling that a life in a competition yard was not for him offered him to me. I encouraged a friend, Carol Simpson, to buy him, then as the manager of Bannockburn RDA I agreed we would take him on loan. As well as developing him as a Riding Club horse for my friend we would train him to work in our Riding for Disabled Centre.

What a complete delight he is - a fantastic nature and progressing so well - you can do pony club games on him and take him out in any company. We started at the beginning with him, re-backed him and progressed to the standing still for mounting. We are still developing his ability and confidence to be mounted and then have adjustments done to tack and riders, but this improves every day - though it costs us a fortune in polos!

The photograph shows Winky in the school with Carol’s 11 year-old daughter, Ellie. Ellie also rides him and has done some of the basic schooling work, getting him used to all sorts of different riders. Carol also competed him last year in a prelim dressage competition and he behaved beautifully, although completely refused to be plaited for the occasion!

Winky is getting used to his day job which involves being ridden by a variety of disabled riders in classes. Longer term Carol hopes to do a bit more competing at Riding Club level and hopefully Winky may one day compete with a disabled rider within a RDA championships.

I think he just proves that ex-racehorses really can turn their hooves to any thing with correct schooling, understanding and patience. Not bad going, from racing to RDA yard – Fab!

Written by Sara Smith - Manager Bannockburn Riding for the Disabled, and Carol Simpson (August 2008)

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I was riding and schooling horses at a dealer’s yard, Jezz was there. She was going nicely but then the dealer started riding them, he was rough and had bad hands. Jezz reacted to this and became difficult, he put her in draw reins and used spurs. Jezz had started plunging, rearing and running backwards, eventually she was impossible to mount, she would rear and take off at a canter the minute you tried to get on. 

Obviously un-saleable by now she was chucked in a field. It was January, she was clipped, un-rugged and had no feed. I left the yard and rugged her myself. We had no where to keep a horse at home. However, I was very upset, so my Grandmother and I approached the dealer about buying Jezz.

She was in an awful condition. With some TLC her physical condition improved nicely over the summer, then I started her ridden rehabilitation work. After some careful handling and a lot of thinking I had her mounting and we started hacking out. Six months later I started her school work again, she was extremely nappy and if she couldn't throw you off she would back herself into a corner and lie down! She was obviously extremely traumatised. It took a lot more thinking and sympathetic ridding to get her over this.

I started In-Hand showing with her at local shows and we got 1st and 2nds, so this year I took her to the National In-Hand Show and we won! She has now started lateral work on the flat and we are going to start Dressage competitions soon. I also plan to do ridden showing with her too. She is a beautiful, sweet and kind natured horse, she still has her moments when ridden but they are no-where near as violent as they used be!

Written by Katharine Midgley (August 2008)

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Castleford, a 16.3hh ten-year-old gelding owned by Mrs Caroline Page ran his last race on the 19th April 2008 at the Holcombe Hunt Point to Point, and has had a very successful racing career in the past.

Since then Emma-Jane Barnes have been re-schooling him to show and have competed him at a few shows in which he qualified for PUK Summer Champs. Even after such a recent change of career, Castleford, ridden by Emma-Jane, won the Tattersalls Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifying class at the Champs, qualifying him for the finals at Hickstead next year.

Castleford and Emma-Jane, coupled with younger sister Sophie-Ann Barnes riding Persian Josr, another ex-racehorse, then went on to win the Pairs Riding Horse class at the Champs as well.

Persian Josr is a five-year-old gelding that has been owned by Sophie-Ann since he came out of training nine months ago. They have also already been very successful together in the show ring. They too have qualified at Cheshire County Show for the Tatersalls Racehorse to Riding Horse final at Hickstead next year. Sophie-Ann and Persian Josr also achieved 3rd place in the Amateur Riders Hack Championship class at the PUK champs. Castleford was also placed 3rd in the Hazeldon Rosettes Riding Horse Championship class, and 3rd in the Blue Chip Ridden Competition/Potential Dressage Horse qualifying class at PUK Champs.

Written by Emma-Jane Barnes (August 2008)

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Coeur Du Lion affectionately known as Frenchie is a 12 year mare by Whittingham who raced six times from David Nicholl’s yard at Thirsk.

However in the past few years she has shone in showing classes qualifying in 2007 and 2008 for the Tattersalls/RoR Finals at Hickstead. She has also won the Ex-racehorse Championship at the Festival of Champions at the Great Yorkshire Showground, and won at Thirlestane Castle when under side saddle.

Coeur Du Lion is owned, ridden and re-trained by Mrs Liz Kettle of Mickleby near Whitby, North Yorkshire. In the photograph they are at Thirlestane Castle in Scotland at the Scottish and FEI Junior European Championships which featured a popular parade of ex-racehorses.


Written by Susan Perkins (August 2008)

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We bought her as a five-year-old off Seamus Mullins, a trainer local to us, for whom she raced under the name of Sigy Point. My father (Giles) made her over a period of three years, two years in the low goal at Tidworth and Druids Lodge, then a season playing in the Arena, where she double chukkered in the Arena Gold Cup.

Then I took her on in 2006, and have been playing her in all levels up to eighteen goal ever since. I double chukkered her when winning in the final of the Coworth 15 goal Challenge, in both 2006 and 2007. This year she has relaxed even more into her polo and has improved to another level because of it, she is my best horse playing with Emlor this season, and I always bring her out in the last chukka. So far in 2008 we have won the Arthur Lucas Cup and the Beaufort Polo Club and we were thrilled to win the RoR polo pony prize (medium goal) at this match.

She is by no means the most straightforward and there are still days where she is almost impossible to school, she has a very strong character and over the last three years we have fallen out alot! But invariably the day after her worst schooling session, she has her best match! The moment she sets foot on the pitch she relaxes. To play, Scarlet is not the easiest or the strongest, and she's not even the fastest, but despite this she is still the best. This is because she tries the hardest, she is as hard as nails and will keep going for as long as I ask of her.

Written by Eden Ormerod (July 2008)

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My horse’s name is Tortugas AKA Torchy. Bred in France by Andre Fabre, he is 11 years old now and is feeling younger than ever.

I bought him in 2006 from a point to point trainer Martin Oliver who my mum worked for at the time. Martin owned him from a four-year-old and had him in training with Martin Pipe, Graham McCourt and Heather Dalton. He won over hurdles with Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy.

I came to own Torchy after a racing injury in a charity race at Ascot. He proved difficult to retrain at first as he is nervous and quite highly strung (he still has his moments). However, Torchy soon took to show jumping and hasn't looked back since. He has competed in all spheres but we mainly enjoy our show jumping.

He has been competing in all Riding Club activities where he was 4th at Area level SJ and has won Style and performance classes. We also represented Worcester Riding Club at Blenheim last year in SJ. After winning and being placed in many unaffiliated SJ classes I decided to affiliate him BSJA this year. So far we have competed in two competitions and have already won £45 pounds, and have qualified to the second round in the Amateur 1.00 M championships.

Torchy is a trusting, kind natured horse and I look forward to the future with him.

I also have another ex-racehorse called Phatic AKA Porky. He is in his first year of retraining after he won and was placed in a point-to-point for us. Let’s hope I have just as much success and fun with him as I have had with Torchy.

Written by Jodie Aston (July 2008)

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Blue Streak, generally known as Blue, raced nearly 70 times, winning over hurdles and on the Flat.  He was trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Kevin Bell and Gary Moore. 

His now owner and rider Joey Ellis looked after him and rode him out every day for four years while he was at Kevin Bell's yard, during which time he was claimed out of a claiming race.  In 2004 Joey managed to claim him and again looked after him, riding him in amateur races including the prestigious Diamond Race at Ascot.

Blue retired from racing in March 2006, and soon made a winning show debut in August of that year.  In 2007, his first full season, he won 12 times including the Royal London Ex-Racehorse of Britain title.  In addiiton to qualifying for the RoR final at Hickstead, and ending the season as the SEIB and RoR affiliated showing points Champion.

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Woodland Park (aka Woody) came to us almost two years ago having last raced just four weeks before.

To start with we turned him away to integrate with my other horses and to "chill out" a bit at grass. Then the work began in earnest - the plan is for him to event with my husband so first came the dressage. After few hiccups (lameness due to foot balance) he started his dressage career and is proving to be successful at it.

He is currently winning our local dressage league, and has now started affiliated and has qualified for the Pet Plan area festivals at Prelim. We are now trying to do the same at Novice. He has gained points at Novice and hopefully will continue to do well as we move up to the next level.

He is an honest responsive ride and is hacked out occasionally by a novice friend. Woody looks after him and changes pace on voice command from my husband riding alongside on my fiesty Welsh Sec. D. He has certainly changed my outlook on owning an ex-racehorse as he is a pleasure to own.

Written by Jenni Revilles (June 2008)

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Marcus William came to me in October 2006 after coming back from injury.  He had been in training with Brendon Powell, where he had eight starts over hurdles with a win and being placed twice. Marcus then tried his hand at Point-to-Pointing where he was placed fifth in his first run, but sadly never raced again after that due to recurrent tendon problems. After being turned out for a year and a half, with occasions of training it was decided that Marcus be retired from racing, and this is where I came in.

Marcus was offered to me as a lifelong loan which I was thrilled to accept. He came to me on a cold afternoon in October 2006 and we have never looked back. The first six weeks involved getting up at 5am every morning to walk him out, as it had been eight months since he had last been ridden and all of his tendons had gone "soft", further more due to the past problems with his legs it was important to take it slow at first, and this suited us fine as it gave us an opportunity to get to know each other.

Six weeks of gradually building up the time spent walking made me thoroughly bored, so I was very excited to begin to trot, which only involved a few steps at a time to build up the tendons strength and elasticity. All my hard work and early mornings were worth it as Marcus has not had any problems to this day, and it is now so rewarding being able to compete and have fun with him.

I have just finished my first season's hunting which included the wonderful meet at Tattersalls where we had the most amazing day. We have became a dab hand at it, even though Marcus still has moments when he thinks he is racing, which I am sure will phase out! We often compete at local cross country and show jumping events and have recently completed a few one-day events with the prospect to go affiliated.

My advice to anyone wanting to take on an ex-racehorse is to give the horse time to forget about racing and settle into their new surroundings. They are amazing creatures who are very clever and adaptable, and given time and experience will reward you with their efforts.

Georgina Pettit (April 2008)

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Differential ran 23 times in his career as a racehorse winning 5 flat races.  He was bought by trainer Bryan Smart for 35,000 guineas as a two-year-old at Tattersalls Breeze Up Sales in 1999 and has remained in his care ever since!

Differential won first time out at Windsor then proceeded to jump the running rail after the post, dropped his jockey and headed back towards the racecourse stables! He was placed a few more times at two years including finishing 4th in the Champion 2 Year Old Trophy (Listed race) at Ripon and at one time had a BHB Rating of 100.

As a three-year-old Differential started to break blood vessels and was sent to the sales, however, Bryan and his wife Vicky bought him back themselves determined to find the key to the horse that they had so much faith in.

A move from Lambourn to North Yorkshire in 2002 where they now train over 90 flat racehorses saw a return to form for Differential, and Smart’s patience was rewarded when he proceeded to win four more races.

Sadly at the end of 2003 Differential’s career came to an abrupt end when he fractured two vertebrae in his neck after getting cast. However, he proved the perfect patient and under the care of trainer’s wife and Equine Sports Therapist Vicky they began the long process of rehabilitation. During the Autumn of 2005 they started hacking out and re-schooling and the neck injury did not appear to bother him.

The ex-racehorse showing classes seemed a natural progression for them and they went to their first show at Area 1A in April 2006 where they came 4th in the ROR Hickstead qualifier. The remainder of 2006 was spent quietly re-schooling and re-educating Differential, taking him to small shows and riding club affairs in an effort to help him understand that every trip in the horsebox no longer meant a day at the races.

2007 saw Differential and Vicky’s first full season in the show ring and their patience was rewarded when they won the ROR class at Area 1a and qualified for the Hickstead final on their first outing of the season. A trip down to muddy Sussex was worthwhile when they came 4th in the RoR/Tattersalls sponsored Thoroughbred Show Horse Championship.

This was followed by a win at Borrowby Show, 4th place at Arena UK in the SEIB HOYS Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier, and 2nd at Burghley and that coveted qualification for the Horse of the Year Show.

Vicky concludes: “The chance to compete at The Horse of the Year Show was a dream come true for me. As a child I was allowed to stay up late to watch the show jumping at HOYS and the memories of the excitement and prestige of this show came flooding back as I entered the ring on Differential. He went as well as he possibly could and behaved impeccably. He gave Lucy Killingbeck- the ride judge – a well mannered and obedient ride and stood like a rock when the crowd clapped and cheered as if he had been doing this job all his life. I am really grateful to SEIB and RoR for promoting the ex-racehorse and am quite sure that the popularity of these classes will grow as people become ever more aware of the versatility of the thoroughbred ex-racehorse.”

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The 1992 bay gelding Te Amo, now called Martez, was bought as a four-year-old from Ascot Bloodstock Sales after running 27 times on the flat and over hurdles for trainers, John Akehurst and Martin Pipe.

He is a very well made and correct horse by Waajib who began his polo career playing adequate low goal polo for two years before developing into a high goal performer.  He has been playing at that level now for several years and is a solid member of British team member, Tom Morley’s string.

Martez was a tough performer on the racecourse and is an equally tough pony on the polo field.

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I had not been in the ring for 15 years, and was introduced to Mulligatawny (Soupy) via Kristina Cook. He has a fabulous owner Jim Cromiak of Pell Mell Ptnrs in America.

My father (Barry Hamilton) and I used to show lightweight cobs – we had Mr.T. and William’s Knightsbridge. We have always worked as a team with my father grooming, me riding and my mother cooking. Through family illness and the loss of Mr. T we had to stop showing, and then I was married and had children! I am now a sheep and beef farmer and have over 30 liveries at our three farms, and these RoR classes have really got us back on our ‘showing’ feet again.

The joy we get from Soupy, and the pleasure that we get from your show series, has made this year such a happy and exciting year for us all. We qualified for Newmarket in hand at our first show and for the Championships at Hickstead at our second! We never go to the shows expecting to get placed and are always delighted if we do.

Soupy has been exceptional. He will happily be a lead horse whilst quietly hacking with my children and their ponies; he hunts with perfect manners; we have had fun at gridwork sessions; I’ve given my husband, Philip, lessons on him; he has raised money on sponsored rides for cancer care and he really comes to life at your shows.

We had to start Soupy from scratch as he had raced (apart from injuries) for nine years. His face has always been pleasing to the eye, but he didn’t know how to walk or trot (he crabbed everywhere) and he wasn’t used to the longer leg position. In the year we had him before we showed him we did a lot of Passoa lunge work with him to strengthen his back and we took him to as many different types of places as possible. The first time out with him we took him to a small show at Plumpton, which is where he had his last race. As you can imagine he made quite a fuss and the judge was petrified of him!

The beauty of these classes are that they do have the professional edge, but at the same time let ordinary Joe Bloggs onto the scene. So much can be learnt from watching the professionals and the classes are such fun!

Written by Claire Bower (July 2008)

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Double Take Again was previously called Farat, when in training with John Dunlop and then Nicky Henderson.  He won once and was placed numerous times winning just under £20,000, after which he was given to his ‘stable girl’ at the age of six years before moving on to Ann Baker on a lifetime loan.

It took him a season to settle into the show ring.  He didn’t like the white rails around the collecting rings and would only settle at shows where the collecting rings were surrounded in ropes.  Now he has now settled in to the show world he loves being looked at and admired. 

Double Take Again has won the Riding Horse classes at National Level on many occasions and qualified for the Royal International Horse Show.  He is a winner at The National Championship show and has been placed several times at County level. 

He spends his winters competing in cross country events and hunts most weekends.  He is ridden by Sarah Cuff, who is a full time teacher living in London, and Helen Baker keeps and schools the horse during the week and hunts him in the winter

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Paddy was born in 1983 in Ireland and bought to the UK to race in 1986.  He ran from 1987 to 1992 winning three races and he was placed ten times.  He then hunted and ran in point-to-points for two years, winning again!

Linda Burrows bought him at 13-years-old in 1996 and he immediately showed talent for Endurance.  The further he went, the keener he felt and in April 1999 he completed a 50 mile ride to achieve Gold standard.   He had a really good year and went on to get his 60 mile Golden Stirrup award.  In 2000 they qualified to go to the Golden Horseshoe in Exmoor and won a silver award in the 75 mile class.  A kick in the field nearly stopped him ever competing again but he returned to Exmoor in 2002 and completed in the 100 mile class in the worst weather conditions for years.

Rostreamer (Paddy) won the RoR award for his success in 2003.  When competing he is wonderful and travels well, stables away with no problems and enjoys everything he does.  

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Pippa Funnell MBE won her first European eventing title in 1999, and soon became a regular member of the British Three-Day Eventing team, winning three European Team Gold medals, Olympic Team Silver in Sydney and Team Silver and Individual Bronze at the Athens Olympics.

She has three ex-racehorses, Ensign, Blue Horizon and Special Constable, all of whom raced and are now doing well in the Event world.  In September 2007, Pippa made a successful appearance at the South of England Horse Trials piloting all three horses into the top 11 in the 55-strong CIC**.  Pippa and Ensign posted the only sub-40 dressage mark and were never headed.  She also finished fifth on Blue Horizon and 11th on Special Constable.

“To me there is nothing better than a quality thoroughbred,” says Pippa. 

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Swift Alliance was born in 1997.  He raced as a two-year-old, was gelded as a three-year-old and won one race at Folkestone.  He lacked speed for any major races and was sold ‘out of training’ by trainer Lady Herries.

Jonathan Martin who runs a livery yard bought Swift Alliance in 1999 and after re-educating the horse tried him in Riding Club competitions.  He won his first dressage test with 75%, followed by two clear show jumping rounds.  He went on to win with the West Sussex Riding Club team at the Royal International Horse Show, and is now jumping at Foxhunter level with winnings of over £300.  He is also the winner of the Retrained Racehorse Championship at Addington in September 2007.

Jonathan hopes he will go on to win more points and prize money show jumping in the future.

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“Bruzella is by Hernanado and out of Hills Presidium and was in training briefly with John Gosden and then with Alistair Lidderdale. She raced twice but was always weak and so her owner decided to retire her and that’s where I came in.

Bruzella came to me at Easter in 2004.  I’m no expert and had never brought a horse on before but luckily I’ve got lots of help and support and so began one big adventure.  It’s been a mixture of hard work, a bit of heartache, some frustration and a big challenge but most importantly it’s always been rewarding and we’ve had a huge amount of fun. 

It’s taken a while to get from our first dressage test (when getting on was still a bit problematical, we cleared the warm up area with wild behaviour and just staying in the arena was good enough) to where we are now (dipping a toe into some affiliated dressage competitions) but we seem to have an understanding.  This is based on me understanding that she is intelligent and must never be bored, that she has an opinion on everything (which may not always agree with mine), that she is absolutely the boss in the field, and finally and perhaps most importantly, that no one has ever told her she is anything other than a big horse (at just over 15.1……).   In return I get a horse who is never boring and who is loads of fun, who has taken me to places I didn’t even realise I wanted to go, and who has taught me an enormous amount.

I’m looking forward to the future, we’ve still got lots of work to do and fun to have.  And a big thank you to those who have helped us along the way and continue to do so.”

Jo Hawkins 

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Vindaloo ran thirty times equalling the twentieth century record for the number of handicaps won in a season. After an unsuccessful hobday operation, he was retired from Jimmy Harris’ yard in Melton by owner Mrs David Abel.

Matthew Worthington was a ‘lad’ at the yard of Jimmy Harris during the time that Vindaloo was in training there. He had changed jobs to become a scaffolder but continued to ride and achieved International team status in the British Horseball Team with his TB mare (of 15.1hh). The scaffolding job had increased Matt’s weight considerably so when Vindaloo was spotted in a field looking suitably bored playing nanny to an old pony he asked if he could use him for horseball.

Vindaloo gave Matthew and his Nottingham first division team British Horseball League Cup victory in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. He also partnered Matthew and British Ladies rider Donna Allen at Sheffield BSJA Open Championships International Horseball Clubs competition in 2003 and 2004.

Internationally, Vindaloo competed in the British Team at the Salon de Cheval in 2001, Beja (Portugal) in 2002 and Reguengos de Monsaraz (Portugal) in 2003.

During his International years, he also hunted with the South Notts and competed in local dressage competitions through the winter.

After retiring from International competition, he took novice Nottingham riders Brett Perkins and Lee North to Novice and Second Division league wins in 2006 and 2007. He is currently fit and ready to start a new Horseball season in April 2008.

At the age of 15, he continues to perform incredibly well with amazingly clean legs and a heart as big as a lion.

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A few years ago I bought an ex-racehorse after I grew out of my old welsh pony.  His name is Zameel, stable name Julian, and he is seven-years-old. 

He raced three times when trained by Jedd O'Keffee and then retired, and we have been retraining him since October 2006. 

He is now competing at local unaffiliated dressage and riding club shows.  My trainer Mrs Jenni Revilles has played a big part in Julian's retraining, which has really paid off as he never comes home without a ribbon.
We have now started jumping and he's been around a small cross country course with great confidence.

He will be doing the RoR class at the Suffolk Show ridden by Mrs Leila Loveday who has also been a great help with his retraining.  As I am only 13 I cannot ride him myself in the class, but will be there to groom.

Tessa Martin (May 2008)

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Dora was bred to race.  She is by Gildoran, twice winner of the Ascot Gold Cup, out of Ice Moon by Ballymoss – second in the Derby, winner of the St Leger and the Arc de Triomphe.  She shares her 3rd dam, Arctic Pearl with Florida Pearl.  She is home bred, as were her dam and grand dam.

Dora is small, approximately 15 hands.  In 1996, due to unfortunate business circumstances, she went to Malvern Sales where she was bought to do endurance riding.  Two years later someone else bought her at Salisbury market and rung her previous racehorse trainer, Mary Rimmell, to find out more about her, who said that if she wanted to sell her she wanted first refusal.  Six months later, she arrived back at home.

Mary hadn’t ridden for seven years so spent the first couple of years hacking around followed by a first pleasure ride at Cirencester in 2002.  They then got to Grade I and competed in 14 rides, all Graded, achieving nine Grade 1’s, before upgrading to Advanced.  In the early days Dora’s heart beat was high, as much as 58 on arrival.  This improved and she is so relaxed her heart beat has been as low as 30 on arrival.  At Alfred’s Tower in 2004, where they won the RoR’s prize, her heart beat was 40 on arrival and she finished on a heart rate of 40 in an average time of 11.59k on the 51K graded ride. 

Mary Rimmell said:  “I have always ridden thoroughbred horses.  They are so willing and will always try and do their best, and are faster than Arabs and have stamina.  There are so many ex-racehorses who would make marvellous Endurance horses, and would probably adapt to Endurance better than any other disciplines.  They do need patience and sympathetic riders.  If you are a nervous rider, then an ex-racehorse is probably not for you, but if you are young and want to get to the top an ex-racehorse could be an ideal solution.  My farrier who looks after the British Endurance team, has remarked that with a better jockey, Dora could go right to the top!  40 years ago I would have been there.  65K with a Grade 1 is the best I have achieved so far, with Dora quite fit to go on.  The rider is usually wilting by this time!” 

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Bred by his owner, Judy Maitland-Jones, Lord Buckingham’s dam, Lady Buck, is the dam of several winners on the racecourse and is a half-sister to Buck House, who won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Lord Buckingham has the most divine temperament and won his first event after only being with William Fox-Pitt for two months, and consistently does the best dressage.
Lord Buckingham and William Fox-Pitt finished 2nd in the first ‘Racehorse Trainers Event Series’ at Barbury Castle in 2007.  He enjoys a well earned rest after the busy eventing seasons at home with his owner.

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When Grey Record (Jake to his friends) was first purchased by his owner (name), he would only canter on the right rein and stopped at every fence first time. He was a horse that required a lot of time and effort spent on him.

As a racehorse he was trained by Mrs M Reveley and raced twenty times. He never actually won a race but did come second a couple of times.

Grey Record and (name of owner) competed in the main arena at Hickstead twice whilst representing the Brocklesby Pony Club in the Senior Showjumping team, and represented the Pony Club at Area level in Dressage and Eventing.

In recent years Grey Record came 3rd at the Winter Dressage Championships in the Petplan Preliminary Area Festival. As well as doing well in the Riding Clubs Festival of the Hunter, Senior Horse Trials Three Day Event Championship, and winning a RoR prize in a Dressage Championship.

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Light The Fuse or "Bombie" as he is affectionately known to his friends has successfully made the transition from racehorse to riding horse.

During his racing career Bombie incurred several nasty injuries but bounced back from them all.  He has had bone chips removed from both knees, severed a tendon and has fractured a knee. However in December 2002 the decision to retire him was made as it was evident that recurring back problems were causing him far too much discomfort.  What started as an extremely promising racing career was plaqued by injury but his owners acted responsibly and put the welfare of their horse first.  After several months of rest the rehabilitation process began.

By the summer of 2004 Bombie made his first appearance in the dressage arena, albeit at unaffiliated level.  Since then he has thrived and this is our story during the last year. 

Bombie's last outing in April 2007 gained him a super first place and good tests during June secured his place at the Summer Regionals, all tests attaining 65% and over. However the remainder of the year did not pan out as we had hoped. Bombie's last outing in April gained him a super first place and good tests during June secured his place at the Summer Regionals, all tests attaining 65% and over. However the remainder of the year did not pan out as we had hoped.
                                                                           
The sense of occasion was all too much for Bombie at the College for the Regionals.  Although he behaved himself, he was quite tense so his test was not the best he had ever done.  However, 2 of the judges (one of which was "The Master" himself, John Lassetter) scored us quite reasonably but the third judge was incredibly harsh which pulled our score right down!  All we could do was put the day down to experience!

Later on in August Bombie performed 2 dreadful tests at one of his usual venues - somewhere where he felt "at home".  He did not feel right at all and in the arena he was four-tracking; it was clear all was not well and Bombie was not a happy bunny.

A thorough check from Bombie's chiropractor, Georgina Sim, revealed he had managed to rotate his pelvis so his one hip was not only dropped but pushed forward.  No wonder he didn't perform well!  With treatment from Georgina and some massage sessions from Phillippa Coles (Massage4Horses International) after about 3 weeks Bombie was back on the road.

By this time we had had a change of trainer to Natalie Bushell.  Our time business wise was
at a absolute premium and we were finding it difficult to travel to training clinics; Natalie was
prepared to come to us so we were able to take great advantage of this and train with
"Oscar", our warmblood for competing with in 2008.

We took Bombie to Laughton Manor where, as far as we were concerned, he went beautifully but he only scored 62.50% which was very disappointing especially after several people had approached us and declared us to be the winners!! C'est la vie.  We were pleased with our
performance on the day - and that is what matters most.

Bombie felt fabulous and looked it too.  His back was clearly ok so off we went to Vale View.

Bombie was incredible.  He couldn't have behaved or gone better if we'd paid him!  He was so
responsive; he just sang!

Whatever I felt, the judge clearly saw it too as Bombie achieved a superb 70%!  We couldn't have cared less about the placing - it was the score and comments which meant so much.  But in most situations a 70% if not the winning score, is a damn good second; it was only
enough for a 4th place that day; so what!

Naturally we were very fired up and thoughts turned to elementary but once again fate dealt us a blow.  We had taken Bombie to the College early in November and most unusually for him, he was backing off the leg.  Normally at a competition Bombie is so forward, it’s a case of slowing him down but this day he seemed more like hard work!  The first test didn't go that well and the second was a walking disaster with Bombie virtually giving up the ghost going up the centre line.  The little horse just was not himself.  Nonetheless the first test earned him a very creditable 65.4% so we were happy about that, but not happy that Bombie was not as he should be.

We put Bombie on the easy list for a few days but far from perking him up, he actually went off his food.  Blood tests did not reveal anything so we decided to give Bombie a complete week off with all-day turnout.  He loved playing with his little friend Thomas but for a few days his appetite did not improve.  However, with gradual tempting with tasty morsals and Bombie's absolute favourite food of all - soaked oats - we gradually got him eating again. 

This brought us to December by which time Bombie was most definitely firing on all cyclinders once again.  On a hideously wet and windy day we set off to the College.  What possessed us, goodness only knows but as we pulled into the entrance the rain stopped and the skies brightened; it's just a pity the wind didn't stop - the arena boards were everywhere!

Unperturbed we set about our test with dogged determination, Bombie bracing himself against the wind!  ¾ of the way through a huge gust shook all the bushes at the end of the arena - all too much for Bombie and off he shot!!!  It took 2 movements to regain our control and compose.  What a pity as the test had felt pretty good.  At the end the judge called us back!  Oh no, what had we done (or not done)!  We need not have been concerned as a lovely conversation ensued which was full of encouragement.  What a huge shame about our display, as the score came through of 64% (4th place) - with the missed movements scoring 2 and 0 points.  We can only speculate what might have been!

3 days later we were fortunate enough to attend a Paul Hayler clinic.  We had our work cut out and Mr. Hayer was firm, demanding but fair.  A replay of the video verified that we also received some "well done"s" and "well ridden". 

We were all set for our postponed elementary debut on 6th January 2008 but this time flu struck - me!! I could hardly stand let alone ride a horse. I was pretty rough for a few days but Bombie didn't mind as he had fun anyway!  Never mind, we have another Paul Hayler clinic to look forward to on 14th January and the elementary debut is now scheduled for 23rd!    

Written by RoR consultant Rowena Cook, Equine Management & Training

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“I visited HEROS and was shown Jonmar, a half brother of the Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde; I rode him in the school, jumped him and hacked him out. An invitation followed to a combined training show to watch Jonmar compete there by one of Grace’s professional staff.

I was smitten and I became the proud owner of a quality show horse with movement to match. He was exactly as described and there were no hidden extras. I absolutely dote on him and in his first season he went cubbing 7 times, had 15 days hunting, went hunter trialling and has now won £120 under BSJA rules.

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