Success Stories

After reading about my horse's full brother Marshall's Warning in the success stories (showing) I wanted to tell you about my Averlline and how much fun we have been having!

Averlline ran 17 times as a 2 and a 3 year old and managed a few places and even a win! Averlline was her breeders’ first winner and she didn’t improve further so they decided to retire her. She moved from Ben De Haan to a family friend, Janet Vaughan and her husband John. As a result of Averlline’s small size (15.1hh), her sharpness and her inevitable TB habit of picking up field injuries, she didn’t do much in terms of work but she did have time to calm down and relax. She was lightly hacked around and shown hounds.

I started to loan her as a very green six-year-old. She had hardly done anything on her own and so nappiness was a huge hurdle to overcome. We spent the first few months hacking round the Cotswolds together, (and sometimes slightly less together as falling off was a feature of those first few months!). Nappiness is still one of our issues, however lots of independent hacking and work has certainly helped. We started doing some little show jumping, (fillers were the scariest thing that she had ever seen) and some autumn hunting at which she was delightful. Over the next year we had lots of excellent help from a range of instructors and trainers.

I then jumped at the offer to buy her from the Vaughans and during the last year together we have really become a team. She has been placed at nearly all her unaffiliated dressage outings and we were lucky enough to win BD membership through ROR and Horse and Hound. In Averlline’s three affiliated outings to date she has been placed, won two BD points, finished midway through a very competitive class in the BD Combined Training series and had a go at Freestyle. We are now confident competing at BS British Novice and we started doing some Cross Country last autumn.

Av has completed three hunter trials to date and we also started a Novice fun Team Chase team called the Bays and Greys and had a great time at the Heythrop and Old Berks Team Chases.

Av has also managed to fit in Bloodhounding with the Farmers Bloodhounds, gate-shutting with the North Cotswold Hunt, and competing in the ROR Ridden Racehorse and Challenge classes, as well as generally hacking round the countryside. I hope to event Av this year. We will also be continuing to fit in Riding Club competitions, schooling, camps and all the other parties that Averlline has to cram into her very full diary!

Retraining a racehorse continues to be a massive challenge but in no way more than it would be to retrain any horse. I love how talented and athletic Averlline is and how she will have a go at pretty much everything. Averlline is a great example of a true fun all-rounder owned by a true amateur. I think that she really demonstrates how rewarding retraining a racehorse can be!

(Written by Hannah Drury, May 2010)

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It started in 2008 as I had got a pony for my daughter, and I was talking to one of the girls in the stables, Emma, that it would be nice to have another horse then my daughter and I could go riding together.

Emma worked for the NRC (Northern Racing College) and said that sometimes the horses come up for re-homing. I was a little dubious as this was a racehorse, maybe a little advanced for what I was looking for.. but did not think too much about it until one day Emma said that one of the instructor’s horses was in need of re-homing. Well my eyes must have lit up, but she made it clear that I could try him out and there was no pressure to have him.

I was so excited on the day I was going to see him that I felt sick. Emma walked me into this very grand stable block and in front of me was this very handsome beast, Gayles & Showers (Piggy - top picture). WOW!  She did not even need to ask I just said I will have him he is so handsome... I tried him and was very nervous, I could feel the power in him but he was a delight to ride and he made me feel so safe... I loved him from that moment.

Preparations were made to get him home and I started to get all the things we needed for him, saddle, bridle, rugs, brushes, boots... the list was endless but I loved every minute and spent a small fortune. On the day we went to get him my heart was pounding at just the thought that he was coming home and he was mine to care for.

We got him home without any fuss, he got in and out of the box no hassle. I whispered in his ear welcome home as we got him off the box, and I felt so proud and happy that I think I would have burst.

I made a big effort to gain his trust and he has had some major things happen to him.  He got a nasty injury and had to go to York hospital as he tore a massive chunk out of his rear leg. He spent three weeks there and three months on stable rest. He must have had a lot of pain but he was so calm and gentle and let us do all the necessary things to make him well again.

He gave me all the love and care back as in April 2008 I had a hysterectomy and was feeling very ill. Even though I was not allowed out of bed to make a drink I went to the stables to change his dressings and do the little that I could get away with. We took the next two months recovering together, he knew I was fragile and we would walk gently round the field together, stopping to have a munch of grass or a little breather if I was getting out of puff he knew and stopped.

Towards the end of the summer of 2008 we were both well on the road to recovery that we started just having a little ride round the field... with out too much fizz. We have gone from strength to strength and the bond between us now is inseparable, he knows when I am sad, and when I am happy. He is my best friend.

This is where a success story might end but not in this case.  Click here for the full story ...

(Written by Debbie Wood, April 2010)

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“You could always ride her; she just stands about doing nothing…” Mmm, it always starts like that, doesn’t it? Just a few simple words, that set off a chain reaction that changes things for a lifetime. And this was no different.

“Band of Hope.” A chestnut TB mare, 16.1hh, then in her early / mid teens and at a friend’s livery yard.

I used to set up visits for a horse dentist round some local yards twice a year and on our first visit to Dalebrook he heard the offer that was made to me. The mare’s reputation had gone before her a little and looking over the door at her rather cross expression and angular frame, I didn’t fancy my chances.

As we drove on to the next yard, the dentist said “I think you should have a go with that Dixieland Band mare, I really like her. She’d make you a crackin’ horse.” Mmm. There it goes again, the simple sentence and you don’t always act on it immediately, but it hangs around in the air, waiting to come back to you like a text message stuck in the ether when your mailbox is full. You might think it would be reasonable to listen to the advice of the horse dentist, a knowledgeable professional. On this occasion, you could go even further than ‘reasonable’ as the dentist concerned was an ex – jockey.

The months rolled on and minus any riding I began to think about the mare and whether we might get on. I had lost my last horse, which I’d owned for 16 years, about 18 months earlier and wasn’t really sure it was yet time to try forging deep bonds with another.

After a particularly appalling week at work, I needed a new focus and thought what harm can it do to go and take a closer look? I can always say no! – Fool. So armed with my hat, gloves, basic lunge kit and a pocket full of bribery I set off on the ten minute drive to Dalebrook. Band of Hope was in her stable. Somewhat cautiously I approached the door. Unimpressed by my arrival, she stood eyeing me up suspiciously, with her rangy, ginger backside wedged in her manger. (An annoyingly persistent habit, I was to find out later) If my presence at her door didn’t provoke much reaction, entering the stable did and the previously wedged bottom moved with alarming alacrity in my direction!

So, our first ‘session’ began with a little discussion about which way it was polite to face when someone enters your room.

Many, many more ‘discussions’ followed.  Click here for the full story...

(Written by Angela Palmer Cartwright BHSAI, April 2010)

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My lovely gorgeous horse Ed is a 20yr old bay TB, with his official Weatherbys’ name being Bayfan. He's 16.3hh, so not a small chappy by any odds, and I've had him for 17 years now, we've grown up together, through thick and thin!

I found Ed by chance really. When I was 13 years old, I started riding out for a local race horse trainer. He looked so sweet, like a thoroughbred Bambi really........he was just all legs and looked at you with those glossy eyes of his, and I fell in love with him immediately. The trainer finally allowed me to ride him, but only walking and trotting, and against the better wishes of a fretful Mum! Bear in mind, I was only 13 years old, and looked like a small bag of peas when I sat on him, but we clicked......... like two little peas in a pod, and were inseparable ever since.

It took me about six months of persistence to convince my parents to buy him for me! Fortunately the trainer gave in sooner, but I think the thought of getting some cash for one of the slowest race horses going looked like a promising option, and with the exchange of a few hundred pounds, the boy came home!!

Despite my local pony club shunning me in having bought an ex-racehorse (which was un-heard of back then) and our long term vet telling my Mum to sell him, as she'd been stupid enough to over horse me, Ed and I together made them eat their words!

He turned out to be a very successful dressage and affiliated show jumper. He came 6th nationally in junior dressage, and had many winnings and placings at BSJA including British Novice, Fox Hunter and Newcomers. As for XC........well, hold onto your pants, as we were un-stoppable! After a few years, I had people making me offers to buy him, and was a gentleman of a schoolmaster!

Ed is still going strong now. I retired him many years ago and he's just a very spritely hack despite his elderly frame! He's had his fair share of vet visits over the years, so much so, that the vets now text me to see how he is and ask to see him when they're passing! The farrier adores him, and he dribbles away in his comatose state when being shod and is angelic for the apprentices when they come!

I love Ed to bits - I made a solemn vow to my parents that I would keep him till his last days, and after 17 years, I love him more than ever! Despite his cheeky cavalier attitude at times!

(Written by Amie Padfield, January 2010)

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Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to find that one horse that we are meant to be with. I found that horse in Whisper, a grey 10 year old Thoroughbred. Whisper is an ex-racehorse, and she still has a lot of her racehorse energy and spirit. 

I met Whisper when the owner of the barn where I was riding bought her. She was always pacing in her paddock, and looked like a handful. When I groomed her she was well mannered but still worried and tense. Gradually she relaxed.

Riding her was a wonderful experience. She was gentle and patient, and although she clearly wanted to run she stayed at the pace that I asked of her. She was nervous and spooky but never tried to unseat me, and soon we adjusted to each other and got along very well.

Just over a year ago I was in a bad car accident. I suffered a head injury which led to balance problems, migraines, and short-term memory loss. It also resulted in chronic fatigue, and I was very sensitive to light and sound. My right hip was injured, making it painful for me to walk. It was determined that horseback riding would not likely be in the future for me due to my balance problems and the fact that another injury to my head could be “disastrous.” If I was to ride, I would need an older bomb-proof horse.

I knew that Whisper did not fit the description of the ideal horse for me. Yet she was the horse I got along with. I decided I could at least groom her, and five months after the accident I returned to the barn to see her again. She left the other horses and her food in the paddock and walked up to me, something she had never done before. Whisper was gentle and patient while I was grooming her.
After a week, I knew that I needed to ride again. I was suffering from depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. I saddled Whisper and led her up to the ring. When I mounted up she stood perfectly still, waiting for me to get adjusted before taking her first steps.

For that ride, and many to come, Whisper was like a different horse. She was quiet, never pulling at the reins, and listening to my leg cues. When I asked her to stop, she would halt immediately. Even though I was off balance at the trot, she balanced for the both of us while I struggled to re-learn what had once come so easily.
Whisper has greatly aided me in my recovery. My memory is still bad and I sometimes walk with a limp, but she has changed much of that. Her comical personality made me laugh when it was difficult to do so. Riding her brings me to a place of peace and satisfaction where it does not matter that I cannot remember what I did yesterday. My balance is no longer an issue, as when I am on her no one can see all of that. She makes me graceful and happy. She makes me free.

(Written by Paige Cerulli, January 2010)

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My horse Dolly is an ex-racer and when she retired she was used as a broodmare. However during the birth of her third foal she nearly died and as a result she was given away. I fortunately acquired her and she is just the loveliest mare I know.

In 2009 I was informed that her youngsters and some others had been found neglected, so a friend and I went down to rescue them. Unfortunately a number of these babies were so far past neglect they were either put down or died. It was horrendous, I had never seen such ill horses in my life. Porcha (Dolly’s youngest) was so ill, all her organs had shut down, and she was so thin and fragile looking. I got the vet down to her and she advised that I put her to sleep – but something in Porcha’s eyes told me she had fight in her. I wanted confirmation from the vet that I was not being cruel by keeping her alive and she agreed that I was not being cruel – but expressed it would cost a lot to get her well again.

I took on the responsibility and a year on Porcha is now a cheeky rising two-year-old, full of live and loving each day!

Please see the photo of Porcha in the field from last year – so ill. Then in February this year tied outside her stable, and yes there is a heart on her bum – I was getting her used to the sound of clippers and drew my heart on her…

(Written by Yvonne Chivers, March 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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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