'HORSE' magazine ( published by IPC Media) is currently running a short series called 'A Racehorse Transformed'. It details how Fiona Reddick and her ex-racer Whatawizard ( known at home as 'Mick') are helped by show-ring experts to prepare for competing in a qualifier for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship.
Last month's issue ( July 2008, 19th June-16th July) covered a flatwork session with top show producer Jayne Webber, to check out Mick's schooling and manners and work on perfecting techniques. ( There is no point attempting a ridden class if your ex-racehorse still doesn't understand about circles, standing still, or cantering round with other horses without going into training-gallop mode !)
This month (August 2008, 17th July-13th August) looks at turnout for horse and rider: correct and appropriate dress and tack, and some great tips-of-the-trade to get the best effect from trimming, plaiting, quarter marks etc.
It's an excellent article. The only thing I would add is - don't worry too much if you feel you and your ex-racer are not quite up to all this yet. The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship is a national competition with high standards - and it's wonderful, even inspiring, to see retired racehorses competing and flourishing at that level. But even national champions have to start at the beginning. It may take a season - or several years ! - before your ex-racer can appear at even a small local horse show without blowing a fuse. ( And if this is you and yours - welcome to the club ! It's par for the course. It passes, in time.)
This does not mean that you should just stay skulking quietly at home till you think your horse is 'ready'. He won't ever get 'ready' without lots of practice. You need to get out there and give it a go ! But - gently and gradually. Depending on your horse, you might start off by simply leading him round at a small show and not entering any classes at all. Then, you could try something in-hand. There are quite a few Ex-racehorse In-Hand classes available in UK now, even at local level. They are usually small and friendly affairs, and if a novice horse plays up no-one minds because they've all already been there. If there is no specific class for your ex-racer, try him in 'Handsome Horse', or 'Longest Tail' or 'Prettiest Ears' - anything low-keyed and easy, to get him in the show-ring without pressure.
If all this goes well, next time take his tack with you, and, if he is settled, try riding him about the showground a bit. Only when he is quite happy doing that is he 'ready' to try a ridden class. Even then, he will get excited once in the show-ring - your own competitive adrenalin will inevitably rise, and he will sense it.
Whilst you are doing all this practicing, do not worry too much about having the correct riding boots or bridle. Of course you want to do your best, and be respectful of the judges, so you will not be turning up in your mucky old jeans. But don't let the lack of the correct jacket, browband, plaits or double bridle prevent you giving it a go at local level. In fact, most ex-racehorse classes - unlike traditional showing classes - allow any kind of tack and bit. This is in recognition of the fact that these horses have come from a previous, very different, career, and are more than likely in a transition phase of their retraining. Here, a running martingale may be essential for safety. And any ex-racehorse class judge with a grain of sense would much rather see a horse going forward quietly and happily in a snaffle than one anxious and uncomfortable in a double bridle or pelham. (If you're not sure if your horse is ready for double-rein bitting, try experimenting with a rubber pelham. It's softer than the real thing, though thicker. It might work for you.)
The important thing is for you and your ex-racehorse to ENJOY the occasion. ( What is the point otherwise ?) So try to relax and have fun. Remember that all Thoroughbreds are super-sensitive, and pretty good mind-readers. If you start getting competitive, nervous and hyped-up, so will your horse. And to him, 'competition' means just one thing - racing! He'll flip back mentally to his old life, and neither of you will enjoy it ! So, just relax, have a laugh at whatever comes, and enjoy some special time with your horse.
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