vicky86
Well-Known Member
About a year and a half ago I got a new livery who bought her ex race horse to my yard. He had a very successful career racing, I think his winnings included a win at the Cheltnham Festival, he also won the Scottish grand national and was placed about 7th in the Grand National. In his last grand race he got bought down and suffered a tendon injury so his owners decided to retire him.
From the very first day he arrived at the yard he was a star, a complete gent to handle and a lovely horse to have around. The owners absolutely adored him and it was clear they thought the world of him but had never actaully had a horse or ridden so I was asked if id ride him. Orginally I just started hacking him out were he was fab so I then started doing abit with him in the school. It was clear he was a fast learner and progressed very quickly. Last autumn however just as he was ready to compete he had to have time off due a number of niggling problems. I started him again at the beginning of feb and today was his first competiton just a coulpe of prelims - he was such a super star. He behaved brilliantly all day and went into the tests like he new exactly what to do. I was so pleased with him but wasnt really expecting to come anywhere so it was a bit of a shock when I got to the score board and realised we had won p7 (66%) and come 2nd in p14 (68%) only missing out on first by under a percent. I am soooo pleased with him - he is a horse in a million his owners are very lucky and he is now teaching his Mom to ride. He was 11 when he retired from racing so has come to dressage rather late.
Next challenge is trying to teach him to show jump (have had ago but he just kept getting rather excited and taking off a good stride away).
Anyway sorry for long rambling post just very, very happy with him.
Joe from his racing days..
on the right (no white)
Joe today - sorry pics arent great (taken by Mom on her phone)
Thanks for reading
From the very first day he arrived at the yard he was a star, a complete gent to handle and a lovely horse to have around. The owners absolutely adored him and it was clear they thought the world of him but had never actaully had a horse or ridden so I was asked if id ride him. Orginally I just started hacking him out were he was fab so I then started doing abit with him in the school. It was clear he was a fast learner and progressed very quickly. Last autumn however just as he was ready to compete he had to have time off due a number of niggling problems. I started him again at the beginning of feb and today was his first competiton just a coulpe of prelims - he was such a super star. He behaved brilliantly all day and went into the tests like he new exactly what to do. I was so pleased with him but wasnt really expecting to come anywhere so it was a bit of a shock when I got to the score board and realised we had won p7 (66%) and come 2nd in p14 (68%) only missing out on first by under a percent. I am soooo pleased with him - he is a horse in a million his owners are very lucky and he is now teaching his Mom to ride. He was 11 when he retired from racing so has come to dressage rather late.
Next challenge is trying to teach him to show jump (have had ago but he just kept getting rather excited and taking off a good stride away).
Anyway sorry for long rambling post just very, very happy with him.
Joe from his racing days..
on the right (no white)
Joe today - sorry pics arent great (taken by Mom on her phone)
Thanks for reading
