Blow in my ear and I'll follow you anywhere!
Wonder what the food's like here ?
Well, folks seem friendly enough....
Friday, September 5, 2008
Magic comes to my life
I went to York Horse Sales to buy a riding jacket, and leadrope. Maybe two. (These nylon any-colour-you-like ropes are great, but mine always end up getting chewed, broken, or lost. An excellent specification for all who enjoy a spot of horsey retail therapy and socialising.) The auction sales at York (as at most other horse sales) includes a large section for new and second-hand tack and equipment. As at all auctions, you have to be careful you don’t get carried away bidding and end up paying more than you need have, or buying something that turns out to be rubbish. But I have certainly been able to pick up many a bargain there amongst the turkeys I’ve blundered into.
Having done the right thing and arrived early, in time to have a look through the items for sale in the tack section and note the lot numbers of suitable jackets and leadropes ( and reins, and bits, and numnahs, and other highly useful etcs….) I then did the wrong thing and went to have a wander round the horse pens.
Big mistake. ( From my bank manager’s viewpoint, anyway.) Because what should I encounter as I ambled up and down the rows of stables but an ex-racehorse……
There was this big bay gelding, quietly munching hay, accompanied by two men ( father and son, it turned out.) The bay was obviously thoroughbred, so obviously I lingered – from simple curiosity, of course, to pass the time between my tack lots. And I got chatting with his handlers, as you do…..
And so Magic entered my life. Magic Bengie, by full title, a 16.3hh 9-year-old , by Magic Ring, who had raced all his life from the age of 2, on the flat, over hurdles, and steeplechasing. ( With some success, too, winning and being placed ) He had last raced a month before, coming third. Consequently he was still racing-lean, but he was a big strapping lad even so, with lovely conformation – great front and fantastic hind quarters.
And then I was in the stable, with my hands stroking the horse and quietly exploring. I find you can learn an awful lot about a horse by touching it. At first I was a little wary because Magic was showing some of the white of his eyes. “Stop scowling” I told him jokingly. His owner leapt to his defence. “No, he’s NOT scowling! That’s just the way his eyes are. He’s a lovely kind horse….”
I didn’t take much convincing. It was obvious from the calm way Magic continued eating his hay, and the way he put his head down for me to stroke, that here was a well-mannered horse with a gentle nature who liked human company. The fact that his owner, Mr Kirby, clearly loved and cared for him also spoke volumes as a character reference.
But why, then, should this horse be for sale? I asked the obvious question out of curiosity only, since I really did not need or want another horse myself. (Nor was this ‘time-wasting’. When at the sales, anyone showing any interest in a horse automatically attracts interest from other people, who sidle up and eavesdrop… So I was actually helping the vendors’ sales promotion !)
Mr Kirby explained that he owned and trained just a few racehorses on his North Yorkshire farm. He had had Magic for six years and done well with him, but now there were youngsters ready to start racing and, for Magic, as the oldest, it was time to move on. Mr Kirby’s typical farmer’s no-nonsense logic had decreed this, and even decided to sell Magic with a low reserve and no warranty, to prevent any returns – but his soppy sentimental side wanted to try to get Magic a good home.
He asked me what kind of horse I was looking for. “I’m not,” I said, firmly. “I came here for a jacket. And a leadrope.” But we continued talking about Magic, and I continued stroking him. I pointed out his thickened right foreleg ( well, you could hardly miss it !). He’d done that, I was told, four years ago, winning a race. He’d had a year off to recover, and then raced successfully for another three years up till now. ( I later checked this in his racing record, and it was perfectly correct.) He was still sound, I was told. And certainly, the thickened tendon was as hard and cold as living flesh can be. “We think he’ll do eventing, or hunting,” Mr Kirby said. Magic certainly looked that type of horse, and I wished them well. Sometimes event riders do attend York Sales, and lots of hunting folk do. I really and truly hoped that someone like this would like Magic, buy him, and give him a good home and an interesting life.
Only – none of them did. Nobody seemed to want Magic at all. The bidding was slow-to-crawling. I looked round the crowded ringside, willing some nice person to put up their hand to offer Magic a chance. Nothing. After the meat-men bowed out at about 450 guineas, no-one seemed much interested. Except a couple of the gypsy dealers in their usual spot down by the auctioneer’s rostrum. And then me.
Hey-ho – what else could I do…..? So I paid over 675 guineas (about $1000) and Magic came home with me. He came with a headcollar of his own – so I only had to buy the leadrope. Never did get the jacket.
Having done the right thing and arrived early, in time to have a look through the items for sale in the tack section and note the lot numbers of suitable jackets and leadropes ( and reins, and bits, and numnahs, and other highly useful etcs….) I then did the wrong thing and went to have a wander round the horse pens.
Big mistake. ( From my bank manager’s viewpoint, anyway.) Because what should I encounter as I ambled up and down the rows of stables but an ex-racehorse……
There was this big bay gelding, quietly munching hay, accompanied by two men ( father and son, it turned out.) The bay was obviously thoroughbred, so obviously I lingered – from simple curiosity, of course, to pass the time between my tack lots. And I got chatting with his handlers, as you do…..
And so Magic entered my life. Magic Bengie, by full title, a 16.3hh 9-year-old , by Magic Ring, who had raced all his life from the age of 2, on the flat, over hurdles, and steeplechasing. ( With some success, too, winning and being placed ) He had last raced a month before, coming third. Consequently he was still racing-lean, but he was a big strapping lad even so, with lovely conformation – great front and fantastic hind quarters.
And then I was in the stable, with my hands stroking the horse and quietly exploring. I find you can learn an awful lot about a horse by touching it. At first I was a little wary because Magic was showing some of the white of his eyes. “Stop scowling” I told him jokingly. His owner leapt to his defence. “No, he’s NOT scowling! That’s just the way his eyes are. He’s a lovely kind horse….”
I didn’t take much convincing. It was obvious from the calm way Magic continued eating his hay, and the way he put his head down for me to stroke, that here was a well-mannered horse with a gentle nature who liked human company. The fact that his owner, Mr Kirby, clearly loved and cared for him also spoke volumes as a character reference.
But why, then, should this horse be for sale? I asked the obvious question out of curiosity only, since I really did not need or want another horse myself. (Nor was this ‘time-wasting’. When at the sales, anyone showing any interest in a horse automatically attracts interest from other people, who sidle up and eavesdrop… So I was actually helping the vendors’ sales promotion !)
Mr Kirby explained that he owned and trained just a few racehorses on his North Yorkshire farm. He had had Magic for six years and done well with him, but now there were youngsters ready to start racing and, for Magic, as the oldest, it was time to move on. Mr Kirby’s typical farmer’s no-nonsense logic had decreed this, and even decided to sell Magic with a low reserve and no warranty, to prevent any returns – but his soppy sentimental side wanted to try to get Magic a good home.
He asked me what kind of horse I was looking for. “I’m not,” I said, firmly. “I came here for a jacket. And a leadrope.” But we continued talking about Magic, and I continued stroking him. I pointed out his thickened right foreleg ( well, you could hardly miss it !). He’d done that, I was told, four years ago, winning a race. He’d had a year off to recover, and then raced successfully for another three years up till now. ( I later checked this in his racing record, and it was perfectly correct.) He was still sound, I was told. And certainly, the thickened tendon was as hard and cold as living flesh can be. “We think he’ll do eventing, or hunting,” Mr Kirby said. Magic certainly looked that type of horse, and I wished them well. Sometimes event riders do attend York Sales, and lots of hunting folk do. I really and truly hoped that someone like this would like Magic, buy him, and give him a good home and an interesting life.
Only – none of them did. Nobody seemed to want Magic at all. The bidding was slow-to-crawling. I looked round the crowded ringside, willing some nice person to put up their hand to offer Magic a chance. Nothing. After the meat-men bowed out at about 450 guineas, no-one seemed much interested. Except a couple of the gypsy dealers in their usual spot down by the auctioneer’s rostrum. And then me.
Hey-ho – what else could I do…..? So I paid over 675 guineas (about $1000) and Magic came home with me. He came with a headcollar of his own – so I only had to buy the leadrope. Never did get the jacket.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Racehorse Rehoming Centre Show Report
I've just received this from Tessa Westlake, of the Racehorse Rehoming Centre in Chard, Somerset, reporting great success for their Open Show last month.
The show was a great success, the weather held and the turnout was very good and up on the last two years.
Sadly this year all the clear profit will be used to purchase replacement haylage as we lost our whole crop of winter feed due to the dreadful weather prior to the show. and we are finding out that (of course) haylage and straw will be at an all time premium so, IN one hand and OUT the other.
Also this is the time of year where inquiries come in thick and fast from owners asking for placements for horses they can no longer keep or are retiring through injury from racing. we have just had an request to take in 3 from the same racing yard all with tendon troubles, also its the time of year where inquiries from prospective loanees start to dwindle. So it looks like a long hard winter for us.
The show its self was fun and relatively stress free for most of the volunteers, although the St Johns Ambulance were considerably late in arriving, holding up the start of the Show Jumping and giving me a few palpitations.
And the second lorry to arrive, having taken a incorrect angle into the field, promptly got a back wheel suck in a ditch having to be rescued by our very old but thankfully still virile tractor.
Stan Mellor enjoyed judging the two racehorse classes with the knowledgeable help of World Horse Welfare (ILPH) officer Jeff Herrington and his wife Mary.
Winner of the Show Horse Class was Becky Hunt on Gordys Joy who also took the Performance class and obviously the overall championship.
Happily there were no similarities to the start of the Grand National and only one near miss where one rider lost a stirrup as the horse, aptly named Storm Damage, bronked slightly in his show. Rider Neil Ransford did extremely well to stay aboard! Showing is not Neil's forte, he is best known in the trail/hunting field.
Sadly this year all the clear profit will be used to purchase replacement haylage as we lost our whole crop of winter feed due to the dreadful weather prior to the show. and we are finding out that (of course) haylage and straw will be at an all time premium so, IN one hand and OUT the other.
Also this is the time of year where inquiries come in thick and fast from owners asking for placements for horses they can no longer keep or are retiring through injury from racing. we have just had an request to take in 3 from the same racing yard all with tendon troubles, also its the time of year where inquiries from prospective loanees start to dwindle. So it looks like a long hard winter for us.
The show its self was fun and relatively stress free for most of the volunteers, although the St Johns Ambulance were considerably late in arriving, holding up the start of the Show Jumping and giving me a few palpitations.
And the second lorry to arrive, having taken a incorrect angle into the field, promptly got a back wheel suck in a ditch having to be rescued by our very old but thankfully still virile tractor.
Stan Mellor enjoyed judging the two racehorse classes with the knowledgeable help of World Horse Welfare (ILPH) officer Jeff Herrington and his wife Mary.
Winner of the Show Horse Class was Becky Hunt on Gordys Joy who also took the Performance class and obviously the overall championship.
Happily there were no similarities to the start of the Grand National and only one near miss where one rider lost a stirrup as the horse, aptly named Storm Damage, bronked slightly in his show. Rider Neil Ransford did extremely well to stay aboard! Showing is not Neil's forte, he is best known in the trail/hunting field.
So WELL DONE to all concerned, competitors and helpers. It sounds like it was a great success and a day to remember ! (And I'm intrigued by this 'still virile tractor' ! The mind boggles. Any chance of a pic, Tessa ?)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ex-Racehorse Class Results from Blair Championships
CLASS 1 In-Hand Champion of Champions
1st - & winner of Best Veteran Award
- Winter Garden and Nicola Bingham
2nd - and winner of Best Turned-Out Award
- Chasing the Stars and Karen Chisman/Tom Marshall
3rd - Getatem and Jennifer Lister
4th - Billy Bell and Natalie Innes/Sandie Byers
5th - Morteeno and Susan Beaton
6th - Ilsey Star and Alex Allan
CLASS 2 Open Ridden Ex-Racehorse
1st - King Nicholas and Sara Bainbridge/J. Craig
2nd - One Step Beyond and Laura Smith
3rd - & winner of Best Novice Horse Award
- Chilalia and Heather Paterson
4th - Dr Deductable and Shonagh Steven
5th - Billy Bell and Sandie Byers
6th - & Best Young Rider under 21
- Judicious Charlie and M Inglis/Aaron Glen
CLASS 3 Performance Horse Class with Jumping
1st - & Best Potential Competition Horse Award
- King Nicholas and Sara Bainbridge
2nd - & Best Turned-Out
- Time to Rise and Elizabeth Muirhead
3rd - & Best Jumping Award
- Illegal Alien and Odette Smith/ILPH
4th - Clan Law and Alison Hood/Heather Graham
5th – Winter Garden and Nicola Bingham
CLASS 4 Ridden Scottish Champion of Champions
1st – Time to Rise and Elizabeth Muirhead
2nd – Palabelle and Victoria Adams
3rd – Jad’s Lad and Jacqui Baird
4th – Billy Bell and Natalie Innes
5th – Mormond Lass and Helen Manners
6th – Chilalia and Heather Paterson
Many congratulations to all the prize-winners, and a huge WELL DONE to everyone who took part, demonstrating just how beautifully ex-racehorses can be retrained.
1st - & winner of Best Veteran Award
- Winter Garden and Nicola Bingham
2nd - and winner of Best Turned-Out Award
- Chasing the Stars and Karen Chisman/Tom Marshall
3rd - Getatem and Jennifer Lister
4th - Billy Bell and Natalie Innes/Sandie Byers
5th - Morteeno and Susan Beaton
6th - Ilsey Star and Alex Allan
CLASS 2 Open Ridden Ex-Racehorse
1st - King Nicholas and Sara Bainbridge/J. Craig
2nd - One Step Beyond and Laura Smith
3rd - & winner of Best Novice Horse Award
- Chilalia and Heather Paterson
4th - Dr Deductable and Shonagh Steven
5th - Billy Bell and Sandie Byers
6th - & Best Young Rider under 21
- Judicious Charlie and M Inglis/Aaron Glen
CLASS 3 Performance Horse Class with Jumping
1st - & Best Potential Competition Horse Award
- King Nicholas and Sara Bainbridge
2nd - & Best Turned-Out
- Time to Rise and Elizabeth Muirhead
3rd - & Best Jumping Award
- Illegal Alien and Odette Smith/ILPH
4th - Clan Law and Alison Hood/Heather Graham
5th – Winter Garden and Nicola Bingham
CLASS 4 Ridden Scottish Champion of Champions
1st – Time to Rise and Elizabeth Muirhead
2nd – Palabelle and Victoria Adams
3rd – Jad’s Lad and Jacqui Baird
4th – Billy Bell and Natalie Innes
5th – Mormond Lass and Helen Manners
6th – Chilalia and Heather Paterson
Many congratulations to all the prize-winners, and a huge WELL DONE to everyone who took part, demonstrating just how beautifully ex-racehorses can be retrained.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Ex-Racehorse Champions at Blair International Horse Trials
Meanwhile at the opposite end of the UK, ex-racehorses are on show at the International Horse Trials and Country Fair at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Scotland. Quite apart from the ones taking part in the horse trials themselves, retired racehorses reschooled for the showring will be strutting their stuff when the Ex-Racers Club holds its Scottish 'Champion of Champions' championship on Sunday 24th August.
The championship is supported by ROR, Bailey's Horse Feeds , Feedmark and Mountain Horse. All the entrants have had to qualify by coming first or second at one of the qualifying classes held at shows all round the country throughout the summer - so they really have reached an inspiringly high standard. The winner will receive a trophy from Rehabilitation of Racehorses, and there will be extra-luxurious rosettes up to sixth place. There are also special awards for the best veterans and best junior riders.
The ex-racers classes start at 9.00 am, in the Castle Arena. Day tickets are available at the gate, children under 12 years of age go in free, and there is free parking. It should be a wonderful day's outing, with a wide range of events and entertainments going on. And on a historical note, the Olympic Handover Flag will be raised, to celebrate the moment London becomes the official Host City of the Olympic Games.
The championship is supported by ROR, Bailey's Horse Feeds , Feedmark and Mountain Horse. All the entrants have had to qualify by coming first or second at one of the qualifying classes held at shows all round the country throughout the summer - so they really have reached an inspiringly high standard. The winner will receive a trophy from Rehabilitation of Racehorses, and there will be extra-luxurious rosettes up to sixth place. There are also special awards for the best veterans and best junior riders.
The ex-racers classes start at 9.00 am, in the Castle Arena. Day tickets are available at the gate, children under 12 years of age go in free, and there is free parking. It should be a wonderful day's outing, with a wide range of events and entertainments going on. And on a historical note, the Olympic Handover Flag will be raised, to celebrate the moment London becomes the official Host City of the Olympic Games.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Racehorse Rehoming Centre - Open Horse Show
The Racehorse Rehoming Centre is based in the village of Combe St Nicholas, near Chard, in south Somerset, some 12 miles from Taunton. Run by Clive and Tessa Westlake, ( helped nowadays by a loyal band of volunteers), it was set up some 16 years ago to take retiring racehorses direct from trainers and rehabilitate them for useful second careers. Starting small, as such projects usually need to, it’s now a registered charity with Stan and Elaine Mellor as patrons. It remains a relatively small operation, compared to some of the perhaps more famous TB rehabilitation centres like TRC, but it specialises in providing a quiet and homely environment, set in gorgeous countryside, where stressed-out new ex-racers can relax, chill out, and gain confidence in their new lifestyle.
The horses all get loads of individual attention, so that the centre quickly gets to know their characters, foibles, strengths and weaknesses. Then the re-training can concentrate on the areas best suited to each horse, with a good idea of its future career possibilities. As well as doing basic flatwork in the school, all the horses are regularly hacked out. Then, when they are ready, they are taken on outings – local shows, hunting, pleasure rides, etc – so they are as prepared as they can be to start their new lives in suitable loan/foster homes.
If you want to know more about the Racehorse Rehoming Centre, check out their website here : www.racehorserehoming.co.uk
The important thing right now is that the centre is having an OPEN HORSE SHOW next Saturday, 23rd August – and it is GOING AHEAD, whatever the weather !
Obviously there are to be classes for ex-racehorses, but there are open showing and jumping classes too: - showing starting 9.00am, jumping 10.00am, minimus jumping 12 noon, and clear round jumping all day.( Great for introducing ex-racers to coloured fences). There is also going to be a BBQ and photographer. It should be a great fun day out for all, whether ex-racers or not.
More to the point, Tessa tells me that, due to the awful weather, they have just lost their whole winter haylage crop. Now this would be rotten for anyone, but for a small charity like RRC ( that receives no funding from any welfare organisations, can pay no-one any wages, and relies on goodwill donations) it’s a disaster. SO …. They are hoping for a flood of entries on Saturday, to fund buying in their winter fodder. So come on, all you folks in Somerset and all around – get yourselves over to Combe St Nicholas this Saturday, swamp them with entries, deluge them with donations, barrage the barbie with demands for double burgers….. and help fill that haylage barn to the rafters !
The horses all get loads of individual attention, so that the centre quickly gets to know their characters, foibles, strengths and weaknesses. Then the re-training can concentrate on the areas best suited to each horse, with a good idea of its future career possibilities. As well as doing basic flatwork in the school, all the horses are regularly hacked out. Then, when they are ready, they are taken on outings – local shows, hunting, pleasure rides, etc – so they are as prepared as they can be to start their new lives in suitable loan/foster homes.
If you want to know more about the Racehorse Rehoming Centre, check out their website here : www.racehorserehoming.co.uk
The important thing right now is that the centre is having an OPEN HORSE SHOW next Saturday, 23rd August – and it is GOING AHEAD, whatever the weather !
Obviously there are to be classes for ex-racehorses, but there are open showing and jumping classes too: - showing starting 9.00am, jumping 10.00am, minimus jumping 12 noon, and clear round jumping all day.( Great for introducing ex-racers to coloured fences). There is also going to be a BBQ and photographer. It should be a great fun day out for all, whether ex-racers or not.
More to the point, Tessa tells me that, due to the awful weather, they have just lost their whole winter haylage crop. Now this would be rotten for anyone, but for a small charity like RRC ( that receives no funding from any welfare organisations, can pay no-one any wages, and relies on goodwill donations) it’s a disaster. SO …. They are hoping for a flood of entries on Saturday, to fund buying in their winter fodder. So come on, all you folks in Somerset and all around – get yourselves over to Combe St Nicholas this Saturday, swamp them with entries, deluge them with donations, barrage the barbie with demands for double burgers….. and help fill that haylage barn to the rafters !
Friday, August 15, 2008
Racehorse to Showhorse - Big H does rosettes !
Two years on, and a whole heap of therapy later, - (believe me, you don’t want to know ! At least, not now – it would spoil your day.) - Big H has finally made real progress and last weekend blossomed in the showring.
It wasn’t actually his showing debut. We took him to an indoor show just after he first arrived, which rather bemused him. Then 18 months ago, we took him and Miraed to a little local show, in a riding school field, to do some in-hand classes for experience. It was not a success, despite H winning the Handsome Horse class. The plan was that Miraed- by this time an old hand at showing - would settle H and give him confidence. Wrong. Big mistake. All that happened was the two of them bonded like hayseeds to velcro and then kicked up and unholy commotion whenever we tried to prize them more than two inches apart. They caused havoc in the ring, nearly trampled the judge, scattered spectators wherever we went and generally made us the least popular kids on the block. Ah, the joys of ex-racers !
Soon afterwards Big H started with his foot and back troubles ( full story later – promise) which led to him having virtually a whole year off to recover. So, it was only last weekend that Big H finally made it to another show – and this time it was just him and me ! I had no idea how he would behave, since he is a very sensitive horse and can get panicky when he’s on his own. There was only one way to find out.
We got off to an excellent start. He’s always good to catch, but this show morning he was actually laid down when I went to fetch him from the field, and made no attempt to get up till I had the headcollar on him and asked him to stir himself, if he wouldn’t mind. He then walked calmly round to the yard with me without a care in the world. No running-round-catch-me-if-you-can games from him – that’s Miraed’s speciality. When it came to loading into the horsebox, he walked up and in without a murmur. He whinnied a couple of times as we set off, but once I’d reassured him he tucked into his haynet and travelled quietly, even though on his own.
Despite H being so totally obliging, I messed up the timing and we arrived at the show late. The Thoroughbred In-Hand class was just going into the ring. ( I hate being late – so why is it I so often am ?) I splashed a dab of hoof-oil on H’s feet, crammed my hot-and-bothered personage into my showing kit, and tumbled H off the lorry. We almost entered the showring with his tail bandage still on and my tie over my ear. ( NOT the recommended way to proceed.)
Despite all this, Big H was a perfect gentleman, and strolled round like a complete pro. No prancing, barging or spooking, no stubbornness , no scowling and grizzling – just relaxed but interested, ears pricked and handsome, and doing everything he was asked without any fuss at all – even standing, which is not usually his strong point. In fact, the exact opposite of Miraed ! Despite us being late in, and H having some raggy plaits and no quartermarks, the judge gave us third. I was delighted, but to be honest, I was so thrilled with H’s behaviour, I wouldn’t have minded if we’d come 99th !
Then I just had time to spray H with some Showsheen and tidy his plaits ( and my wonky tie ) and we were back in the ring for the Handsome Horse class. And just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, H behaved beautifully once again, and seemed to be enjoying himself with this new type of experience. He even stood perfectly square when asked, and smiled nicely at the judge – who told him he was ‘gorgeous’ and gave him second place. (Discerning lady, that judge !)
So then we had to have the photo-shoot, with two big rosettes fluttering from H’s bridle. (This in itself would be a new experience for an ex-racehorse, so if you intend to be successful showing yours, get some practice in at home for pinning on all those rosettes you are going to win.) Now, Miraed has this reflex action whenever she spots a camera – ears back, swish tail, rest hind leg and adopt foul/bored-to-death expression. But not H. He posed like a star. Hence these nice photos I can post here.
I had no intentions of entering H in the ridden class this time. He’s just not quite ready for that yet, and I wanted this outing to be relaxed and stress-free for him. But, seeing as he was so very chilled out, I decided to saddle him up and potter round the showground a bit. He tensed as soon as the saddle went on, and jogged a bit at first. He quickly relaxed though, and we strolled around saying hello to the lunching judges, the secretary’s caravan, the litter bin, the practice jumps, the jumping blackboard and a tiny spotted pony the like of which he’d never seen before. He seemed to take an enjoyable interest in all of it and never spooked once.
Chuffed to bits, I ended on this good note and called it a day. Miraed can be a baggage to load; it can take several hours, sackfuls of feed, a natural horsemanship expert and a cast of thousands to help…..Big H just hopped in first time. And once again he travelled well. Despite a bit of noisy fuss when we stopped to refuel, he arrived home calm and cool.
So that’s my lovely Big H. What a star ! Despite his lack of experience at it, he gave me the easiest day’s showing I’ve had in a long while, and lots of fun – and rosettes as well. Who said ex-racehorses are difficult ? Ok, so it wasn’t Horse Of The Year Show – and never will be, with us. But whatever placings we do or don’t get in the future, Big H will always be Supreme Champion to me.
It wasn’t actually his showing debut. We took him to an indoor show just after he first arrived, which rather bemused him. Then 18 months ago, we took him and Miraed to a little local show, in a riding school field, to do some in-hand classes for experience. It was not a success, despite H winning the Handsome Horse class. The plan was that Miraed- by this time an old hand at showing - would settle H and give him confidence. Wrong. Big mistake. All that happened was the two of them bonded like hayseeds to velcro and then kicked up and unholy commotion whenever we tried to prize them more than two inches apart. They caused havoc in the ring, nearly trampled the judge, scattered spectators wherever we went and generally made us the least popular kids on the block. Ah, the joys of ex-racers !
Soon afterwards Big H started with his foot and back troubles ( full story later – promise) which led to him having virtually a whole year off to recover. So, it was only last weekend that Big H finally made it to another show – and this time it was just him and me ! I had no idea how he would behave, since he is a very sensitive horse and can get panicky when he’s on his own. There was only one way to find out.
We got off to an excellent start. He’s always good to catch, but this show morning he was actually laid down when I went to fetch him from the field, and made no attempt to get up till I had the headcollar on him and asked him to stir himself, if he wouldn’t mind. He then walked calmly round to the yard with me without a care in the world. No running-round-catch-me-if-you-can games from him – that’s Miraed’s speciality. When it came to loading into the horsebox, he walked up and in without a murmur. He whinnied a couple of times as we set off, but once I’d reassured him he tucked into his haynet and travelled quietly, even though on his own.
Despite H being so totally obliging, I messed up the timing and we arrived at the show late. The Thoroughbred In-Hand class was just going into the ring. ( I hate being late – so why is it I so often am ?) I splashed a dab of hoof-oil on H’s feet, crammed my hot-and-bothered personage into my showing kit, and tumbled H off the lorry. We almost entered the showring with his tail bandage still on and my tie over my ear. ( NOT the recommended way to proceed.)
Despite all this, Big H was a perfect gentleman, and strolled round like a complete pro. No prancing, barging or spooking, no stubbornness , no scowling and grizzling – just relaxed but interested, ears pricked and handsome, and doing everything he was asked without any fuss at all – even standing, which is not usually his strong point. In fact, the exact opposite of Miraed ! Despite us being late in, and H having some raggy plaits and no quartermarks, the judge gave us third. I was delighted, but to be honest, I was so thrilled with H’s behaviour, I wouldn’t have minded if we’d come 99th !
Then I just had time to spray H with some Showsheen and tidy his plaits ( and my wonky tie ) and we were back in the ring for the Handsome Horse class. And just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, H behaved beautifully once again, and seemed to be enjoying himself with this new type of experience. He even stood perfectly square when asked, and smiled nicely at the judge – who told him he was ‘gorgeous’ and gave him second place. (Discerning lady, that judge !)
So then we had to have the photo-shoot, with two big rosettes fluttering from H’s bridle. (This in itself would be a new experience for an ex-racehorse, so if you intend to be successful showing yours, get some practice in at home for pinning on all those rosettes you are going to win.) Now, Miraed has this reflex action whenever she spots a camera – ears back, swish tail, rest hind leg and adopt foul/bored-to-death expression. But not H. He posed like a star. Hence these nice photos I can post here.
I had no intentions of entering H in the ridden class this time. He’s just not quite ready for that yet, and I wanted this outing to be relaxed and stress-free for him. But, seeing as he was so very chilled out, I decided to saddle him up and potter round the showground a bit. He tensed as soon as the saddle went on, and jogged a bit at first. He quickly relaxed though, and we strolled around saying hello to the lunching judges, the secretary’s caravan, the litter bin, the practice jumps, the jumping blackboard and a tiny spotted pony the like of which he’d never seen before. He seemed to take an enjoyable interest in all of it and never spooked once.
Chuffed to bits, I ended on this good note and called it a day. Miraed can be a baggage to load; it can take several hours, sackfuls of feed, a natural horsemanship expert and a cast of thousands to help…..Big H just hopped in first time. And once again he travelled well. Despite a bit of noisy fuss when we stopped to refuel, he arrived home calm and cool.
So that’s my lovely Big H. What a star ! Despite his lack of experience at it, he gave me the easiest day’s showing I’ve had in a long while, and lots of fun – and rosettes as well. Who said ex-racehorses are difficult ? Ok, so it wasn’t Horse Of The Year Show – and never will be, with us. But whatever placings we do or don’t get in the future, Big H will always be Supreme Champion to me.
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