IRONMAN MULDOON TAKES RACEHORSE CROWN



The South Essex Insurance Broker’s Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship reached a thrilling finale at this year’s Horse of the Year Show, having become one of the most popular highlights of the show.  Crowds packed the Caldene arena to see how these ex-racehorses performed and they were not to be disappointed, with the immaculate grey, Ironman Muldoon, owned by Mrs Amanda Bowlby and ridden by Jayne Webber, putting in a superb performance to take the championship.  Last years’ champion, Mr and Mrs Hartland’s impressive grey, Another Man, again showed his impeccable manners to take reserve.

For more information and the full set of results click here.


SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse at Vale View

A good quality entry turned out for the South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship qualifier held on 16th August at Vale View Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire.  Competitors were hoping to earn qualification for the prestigious Horse Of The Year Show finals, held at the NEC Birmingham, 7th – 11th October. 

The Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship, supported by the charity Retraining of Racehorses, was initiated by South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) to help ex racehorses when they come out of training and to recognise their abilities in the show ring.  Many have beautiful confirmation and paces and the aim is to find potential top class show horses.  Horses need to have been in training with a recognised trainer and have raced to be eligible for these classes.  They can be ridden and produced by amateur or professional riders.  At Vale View, this class was judged by Jeanetta La Four and Richard Mills.    

Due to the large number of entries, this class was split into two halves for the preliminary judging with the best horses returning to the ring for the final judging.  First place went to Tony Tie, owned by Frank and Annette Brady of Jersey and ridden by Charles Le Moignan.  Frank and Annette have owned Tony Tie since he was a 2 year old.  He was in training with Jim Goldie and ran 138 times in England on the flat.  When the owners moved to Jersey, they took Tony Tie with them and he went into training with Joan le Brocq and ran on the flat on the island, probably accruing a career total of over 150 runs.  When he retired, unblemished, from racing, Frank and Annette wanted him to have another life and sent him to Charles to be re-trained as a show horse.  Now 13 years old, he has not got a lump or bump on him.  Charles has shown him lightly and plans to do some unaffiliated show jumping with him this winter.  “Just for both of us to have some fun”, says Charles, a professional show horse producer who has really got the retrained racehorse bug.  “I watched the retrained racehorse class at Dublin and it was fantastic to see such horses as Kicking King and Brave Inca.  Racing is my other great love and these are fascinating classes.  I think it is a marvellous thing that horses are given another chance in a different career and I can see this developing with classes for different types.  Owners should be encouraged to send horses into showing when they retire from the track”, he said.

Second place went to Miss Capricorn, ridden by Lucy Cameron and owned by her mother, Diane Stennet.  Lucy, 30, has owned this 5 year old bay mare since February, having acquired her from a charity home where she was giving rides to disabled children.   “I was looking for a show horse and because of what she was doing I knew she would have a really good temperament”, said Lucy.  The pair qualified for the RIHS hacks but Lucy decided not to go this year as she thought it was too soon.  “She is so laid back that she would have been fine, but now she is carrying more weight and looks more like a show horse”, she said.  Miss Capricorn was in training with Kevin Ryan and raced 6 times but she was not fast.  Lucy, works for her father as a farm secretary and is married to a vet in Newmarket, decided to turn the mare away for a while to relax and put on some weight.  “We will probably do Bucks county and the Hack and Cob Championship before HOYS.  She will cope fine with the atmosphere, she is so laid back”, she said. 

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse at Addington

The fourth South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship qualifier was held on July 18th at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Bucks, where the opportunity to earn qualification for the prestigious Horse Of The Year Show finals, held at the NEC Birmingham, in October, attracted a large entry.

The Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship, supported by the charity, Retraining of Racehorses, was initiated by South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) to help ex racehorses when they come out of training and to recognise their abilities in the show ring.  Many have beautiful conformation and paces and the aim is to find potential top class show horses.  Horses need to have been in training with a recognised trainer and have raced to be eligible for these classes which are open to both amateur and professional riders.  The class was judged by conformation judge, Richard Ramsay, and ride judge, David Bartram, assisted by Matthew Maher-Burns.

The large entry of 34 horses was split into two sections for the preliminary judging, with the top horses coming back for the final placing.  The impressive Rogers Revenge, owned by Brian and Vicky Smart and ridden by Simon Charlesworth took first place.  By City On A Hill out of Resemblance, Rogers Revenge was bred and trained by Brian.  He ran twice over 6 and 7 furlongs in 2008 but a career in the show ring beckoned and, as Simon was looking for a potential lightweight, he persuaded Brian not to run him again.  Simon took him over last December and has since concentrated on re-educating him.  “He has really taken to the job and gives a really good ride.  He has been very lightly shown this year in racehorse classes and we will have a couple more outings before HOYS.  He is only 4 years old but has a really good attitude and real potential as a lightweight hunter”.  Lisa Farquar’s Guar du Luc, ridden by Juliette O’Brian took second place.  He was a HOYS finalist in 2006 and 2007 but missed the 2008 final due to injury.  He continues to do well in ROR classes and in 2008 he won at Hickstead, Suffolk, South of England and Kent County shows.  He has been lightly shown this year, finishing second at Suffolk and Hickstead.  “He is now 15 so we take care of him.  He just gets better and better, he is so easy and a pleasure to ride”, says Juliette.  Guar du Luc is looked after by David Kellow.   “He goes out in the field every day, but he looks forward to coming in again and Lisa comes to ride him 2 or 3 times a week.  We just want to keep him in one piece and might do a couple of outings before HOYS, just so that he knows he is not going racing,” says David.

 

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse at Wellington

The third South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship qualifier was held on July 11th at Wellington Equestrian Centre, Hampshire.  All competitors were hoping to earn qualification for the prestigious Horse Of The Year Show finals, held at the NEC Birmingham, in October.  The Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship, supported by the charity, Retraining of Racehorses, was initiated by South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) to help ex racehorses when they come out of training and to recognise their abilities in the show ring.  Many have beautiful confirmation and paces and the aim is to find potential top class show horses.  Horses need to have been in training with a recognised trainer and have raced to be eligible for these classes.  They can be ridden and produced by amateur or professional riders.  At Wellington, this class was judged by conformation judge, Janet Holder, and ride judge, Darren Hegarty. 

Due to the large number of entries, this class was split into two halves for the preliminary judging.  It was a double celebration as the first and second placed ex-racehorses as they are both kept at Widdecop Stables in Ecchinswell village (Newbury).  Helen Horton manages the yard and looks after these two horses, Amezola and Devine Dancer.  

Legal executive for the National Trainers Federation, Dawn Bacchus from Swindon rode her own 13 year old 16hh, grey gelding, Amezola to take first place.  In his racing career, he had 20 starts and at one time he was in training with Amanda Perrett.  He last ran in October 2001 for trainer J C McConnochie.  Dawn bought Amazola 5 years ago from an advert on the internet and now competes him in show hack classes.  They won the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Performance Award for Showing in 2006 and Dawn has competed several times at the Racehorse finals at RIHS.  “He is easy going, excellent – really chilled and easy to hack out.  He loves to work”, said Dawn.

Helen Horton’s daughter, 15 year old Hannah rode her own ex-racehorse, Devine Dancer.  This 6 year old chestnut mare was in training with Henry Candy and ran 16 times, winning twice.  Hannah is still at school studying for her GCSEs at The Clere School in Newbury.  Devine Dancer came out of racing 2 years ago and competes in large hack and large riding type classes.  This is their first year showing.  “Devine Dancer is a cheeky character but she has taken to her change in career really well!” said a very pleased Hannah.

Ride Judge, Darren Hegarty said, “Both horses and riders were very well presented and the manners were generally of a high standard in this class”.  Conformation Judge Janet Holder continued by saying, “There were a nice set of horses in this class and they exceeded my expectations.  I really like the fact that these horses can continue to succeed in a new discipline, even those that leave racing at a later age.  These classes give them a chance.”

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse at Badgworth

The second South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship qualifier was held on July 5th at Badgworth Riding Centre, Somerset.  Due to the large number of entries in this class, the class was split and all riders were hoping to qualify for The Horse Of The Year Show finals, held at the NEC Birmingham, in October.  This class was judged by well known and highly respected show judge, Richard Ramsay, who judged the conformation.  He was joined, for the first time, by top class show rider, Guy Landau, and assisted by ride judge, Matthew Maher Burns.

The Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship, which is supported by the charity, Retraining of Racehorses, was initiated by South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) to help ex racehorses when they come out of training and to recognise their abilities in the show ring.  Horses need to have been in training with a recognised trainer and have raced to be eligible for these classes, which provide an opportunity to qualify for the prestigious HOYS finals.  They are open to both amateur and professional riders

First place went to Caroline Cowlard’s Fast Mix, ridden by Wendy Gibson.  This French bred,16.1hh grey gelding was bought out of Martin Pipe’s yard 2 years ago having won 5 and been placed 8 times from 31 starts on the flat and over hurdles.  Since then Caroline has had him at home, hacking out and taking him to Exmoor for holidays, getting him to think about things other than racing.  “Fast Mix really does give and likes to please”, said a delighted Wendy.  “He has only been back in work for 3 days as he had 16 days off after being kicked on the shoulder, so we are delighted”.  Caroline had previously owned a brother, Dinarelli, and liked him so much than when she heard of this one she had to go and see him.  She started to produce him for showing and then took him to Wendy to see what she thought and Wendy was pleased to take on the ride.  This is his first year as a race horse to riding horse and he qualified for the Hickstead Derby meeting at his first attempt. 

Second place went to Charlotte Salisbury riding her own, Mickey Croke.  “He has done very little since last year, just playing at home.  We also went to the ROR Open Day at Middleham”, she said.  She was a little disappointed after not qualifying at Osbaldeston, so at the last minute decided to make the 6 hour journey to try again and qualify at Badgworth.  “It was well worth the journey, it is brilliant to have qualified again”, said Charlotte who finished 3rd in this championship at HOYS in 2008.

At the end of the day, ride judge, Guy Landau commented, “I have had some really cracking rides today and there were some horses with really good mouths.  The top racehorses were really good”.

The South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship finals will be held at the Horse Of The Year Show, 7th -11th October 2009, at NEC, Birmingham.

The Journey begins...

This year’s first 2009 South Essex Insurance Brokers Search For A Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship qualifier was held on June 7th at Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre, Lancashire.  A terrific number of competitors gathered, for the chance to attend The Horse Of The Year Show finals, held at the NEC Birmingham, in October.

With over 200 entries, many of the classes were split into two sections before the final judging could take place.  Well known and highly respected show judges, Richard Ramsay and David Bartram judged the Riding Horse/Hack, Cob, Ponies, Riding Club Show Horse, Show and Working Hunters and were assisted by ride judge Matthew Maher Burns.  “This year, a terrific number of entries came forward and we are so pleased that Search For A Star is so well supported by riders.  This competition gives amateurs the chance to compete at HOYS, a dream which many riders would love to realise.  Many of the competitors have very little or no showing experience and there is always a super competitive atmosphere in all of the classes.  The general turnout of both horse and rider in these classes improves each year”, commented Richard.  The Racehorse to Riding Horse Class was judged by conformation judge, Ros Hargreaves and ride judge, Nicky Gill.  This class gets more and more popular each year. 

This year’s winner in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class at Osbaldeston was Sara Hartland’s Another Man, who took the Supreme Champion Racehorse to Riding Horse title at HOYS last year, with top show rider, Claire Oliver.  Sara, who was unable to ride him to success last year, due to a leg operation, reclaimed the ride this year and is enjoying every minute, including a win at the Royal County of Berkshire show.  “He lives as a family pet, sharing his field shelter with the chickens.  I have had him for 3 years now and this is absolutely brilliant.  I promised my father I would get to HOYS, and now we are really going!” said an excited Sara.  Whistle up the wind, a 6 year old bay mare owned by Catherine Altham and ridden by Heather Rothwell took second place in this class.   Also known as “Doris”, Whistle up the wind was trained by James Eustace, at Park Lodge Stables, Newmarket.  The height of her career was in 2006, when she won at Yarmouth in the 1m fillies handicap, on the 15th June, and then won again on 1st July at Lingfield in the 7f handicap.  She then had a number of 2nd and 3rd but won again on the 10 Sept 2007 at Folkestone in the 7f handicap.  Catherine purchased her in March 2009, from Ian Olding, who unfortunately died in an eventing accident in April.  “I have only been riding her for the last 3 weeks and this is her first time out anywhere.  Her last time out was racing.  She is a very genuine mare with a fantastic temperament and does everything.  Catherine could not be here today, she won’t believe it”, says Heather. 

2009 Dates & Venues

The dates for the 2009 competition have been announced - click here

NOTE: The horse must have raced either point to point, national hunt or on the flat.

ANOTHER MAN TAKES RACEHORSE CROWN



1st Another Man, owned by Mr & Mrs R O Hartland and ridden by Claire Oliver

2nd Shahzan House, owned by Carol Bardo and ridden by Jayne Webber

3rd Mickey Croke, owned and ridden by Charlotte Sailsbury

4th  Lin D’ Estruval, owned by Baileys Horse Feeds and ridden by Lynn Russell

5th Millimeter, owned and ridden by Emily Curtis

6th Sherkhan, owned and ridden by Rachel Thomas

7th Differential, owned and ridden by Victoria Smart

8th Animated, owned by Dorothy Hesketh and ridden by Faye Hesketh

9th Fergal, owned by Peter Richmond and ridden by Lizzie Richmond

10th Bidders Itch, owned and ridden by Emma Boardman

11th Debonair V, owned and ridden by Alycia Collins

For more information and the full set of results click here.

How to Cope at HOYS!

A coveted place to compete at the Horse of the Year Show is every rider’s ambition and for a fortunate few, that dream will come true in Birmingham this month. 

Competitors in the South Essex Insurance Brokers’ Search for a Star Championship are all competing at HOYS for the first time.  To help prepare and to ensure that this dream does not turn into a nightmare, SEIB invited them to a training workshop with well known show producers, Richard Ramsey and David Bartram.  Here we summarise their wise advice on being organised.

HOYS is like no other horse show you have ever attended.  The NEC consists of vast acreages of tarmac car parks, huge exhibition halls and officious traffic controllers – all rather alien to the green fields of most equestrian events.  Just arriving at the showground can be fraught with difficulty and extra time is needed for the journey and the arrival procedure. 

Queuing starts well before the entrance to the horsebox park, and once there, all paperwork must be in order for the horse to be allowed in.  It is heartbreaking to arrive, only to find that your horse’s vaccinations are incomplete, perhaps because of a lapsed date with a previous owner, and be turned away at the gate; this has happened.  Then you need to find your allocated stable, which may be some way from the horsebox, get your horse settled in and collect the passes you will need to get to the arenas and back again.

There is plenty of walking to be done, as the arenas are a good 10 minute walk from the stable area.  The timetable is strict and times are allocated for evening exercise and for the class.  Miss your slot and you will not be allowed in, so don’t forget anything, such as your number, on your way to the ring.  Check everything carefully and allow plenty of time to get you and your horse ready to present yourselves in a calm and relaxed state in the collecting ring.   It is better to arrive 10 minutes early than to have to rush, upset the horse and be unable to give your best performance when you enter the arena.

The atmosphere in the arena is electric, another experience that can be unexpected.  If all goes well, you may be required to return for a championship in the international arena and it is as well to check the turnout requirements should this happen as a top hat or white stock may be required. 

Coping with HOYS, while suffering the inevitable nerves, takes planning and the key is to allow plenty of time.   This is a big occasion and you should enjoy the experience and remember that just qualifying and getting to the final is a great achievement.  Having put on your best performance, dazzled the audience and caught the eye of the judge, it might just be your day, and when the lights are dimmed and all focus is on the winner in the spotlight for the lap of honour, it just could be you and everything will have been worthwhile!



TWO DIFFERENT COMPETITIONS FOR YOU TO ENTER WITH YOUR EX-RACEHORSE

The Racehorse to Riding horse competitions encompass most of the equestrian disciplines.   Whether you compete at a multi-discipline level or want to ride your horse at the Horse of the Year Show there is a way to participate and show off how re-trainable an ex-racehorse can be.   

The South Essex Insurance Brokers series offers two different types of competition, The Racehorses to Riding Horses Points Championship and the Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship which culminates at the Horse of the Year Show and both are open to professionals as well as amateurs.



WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO COMPETITIONS?

The Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS Show Championship is a series for thoroughbreds that have raced in either Point to Point, Flat or National Hunt Racing.

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals.

The class is called the South Essex Insurance Brokers HOYS Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championship and the format of judging will be as for a riding horse class but the best of type will win. Therefore, if you have a hunter, hack or riding horse that has raced you are eligible to compete and the best horse on the day will be the winner.

Competitors must bring the horse’s passport to the qualifier and please bring a photocopy to be left with the secretary. A copy of the passport will have to be produced before an entry can be accepted at Horse of the Year Show.

Horses must be over 4 years old and 148cms or over, riders must be 15 years old and over. The first two horses will go forward to Horse of the Year Show; if the first two horses have already qualified, horses down the line to sixth place will be eligible to compete at the HOYS Championship at judges discretion.

Please click here to see dates and much more.



RoR/SEIB Elite Performance Awards - £30,000 Prize Money!!

Retraining of Racehorse and South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd have joined forces to create a series of competitions to promote the ex-racehorse: There is a prize fund of £30,000 and to be eligible your horse must have run in the UK and be registered with RoR at www.ror.org.uk or telephone 01488 648998.

There is a significant monetary prize for each discipline that will be presented at the Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony in January 2011

For more information on the competition click here

The format of judging will be as for a riding horse but the best of type will win, so if you have a hunter, hack or riding horse you will have an equal chance as the best horse on the day will win