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Racehorses to Riding Horses Unaffiliated Winner - Impetus Owned and ridden by Kay Coxhead, Downlands, Main Street, West Ilsley, Berkshire Impetus was bred and initially raced in Germany where he won twice and was placed 4 times on the flat, before coming to England to run over hurdles, trained by Peter Wegmann. After sustaining a fracture he was turned away to recuperate. While riding out for the trainer, Kay Coxhead mentioned that she was looking for a horse to retrain and “Impy” was sent to her, unseen, straight from the field. The first two years were dogged by a niggling suspensory injury that was unrelated to his racing career, but in 2005 they started to compete and went to as many shows as possible. Impy has now learned to behave, particularly in open spaces when he was inclined to get very strong, and Kay does lots of hacking to help him chill out. In 2006 things really came together, with a 2nd place at Newbury in the ROR Hickstead qualifier, and further successes at local shows, including the Ridgeway Show where he won 3 classes and took the championship. Kay plans to work on their jumping so that they can start competing in some working hunter classes this year, as well as doing more dressage, and they will definitely be having a go at the Hickstead and HOYS qualifiers for ex-racehorses. Kay says: “When he arrived he looked dreadful, having been out in the field all winter, but the trainer assured me he was suitable and within a couple of months he looked much better. We have done lots of turnout, condition and potential sports horse classes and have won some beautiful trophies and sashes – he doesn’t look like a skinny ex-racehorse any more! He is quite a character and loves eating bananas”.
Owned by Mrs Sarah Gallagher, Kingswood Grange, Lapworth, Warwickshire “Billy” was foaled in 2000 and bought as a yearling by Tommy and Sarah Gallagher. He was in training with Jamie Osborne and raced unsuccessfully as a 2 year old, before being given some time off to grow up. He was sent to Michael Jackson as a 4 year old to try his hand at eventing. Having not found racing to his taste, Billy soon decided that eventing was good fun and in 2005 he started competing at pre-novice level, moving up to novice by the end of the season. His 2006 campaign opened well with a 3rd in the Novice at Gatcombe, and more was to come with wins at Goring Heath and Stockland Lovell and 3rd at Larkhill. He went on to score an impressive 2nd place on his first run at Intermediate level at Spring Hill in August. He was also chosen to compete at the World Breeding Championships at Lion D’Angers. After his winter holiday, Michael will start preparations for the 2007 season, when Billy will be aimed at a spring 2-star and the Novice championship at Gatcome in August. Michael Jackson says, “Billy was bred to race on the flat and this showed when he was quick at Gatcombe. Dressage is our weakest phase but he is a very good jumper. He went double clear at Spring Hill in August and really loved it. He is very talented and has loads of jump and ability, and he is not far off getting the dressage right. He is also a very inquisitive horse and thinks he is half human and part of the family.”
Owned and ridden by Dawn Bacchus, 2 Hodson Road, Cheselden, Swindon Amezola was in training with Amanda Perrett and won and was placed from 20 starts on the flat. After passing through Doncaster sales, he went to Cara Bexton to event and she did much of his early re-training. But eventing was not to be his thing and he was on the market again. Dawn was looking for a horse to show, and particularly wanted a grey thoroughbred. She found Amezola advertised on the Internet in January 2005 and he turned out to be only 3 miles away. He won and was champion at his first show, and came 6th in the Hickstead ROR finals. He was registered as a show hack and won an open class to qualify for the RIHS and was 10th at the finals. Dawn, who is the in-house legal executive for the National Trainers Federation, says: “He is still a bit strong, and he thinks he knows it all now. But he is bomb proof and really sweet natured and gentle. He likes the band music at Hickstead, but he is quite laid back at home. Our main challenge is getting him into show horse shape as he doesn’t carry much condition, but otherwise he is fantastic. I definitely want to try to qualify for HOYS as a hack and also do the racehorse classes in 2007.
Owned and ridden by Mrs Karen Whittington, Malthouse, Malthouse Lane, Chale, Isle of Wight Maiden Ray, known as Mary to her friends, was bred and trained by Harriet Gosling and ran in point to points ridden by Andrew Sampson. Without success, she was sold at Ascot and Karen purchased her in October 2002. Having ridden her throughout the winter months, she took her to an endurance training ride in March 2003, where she showed a natural ability. By the end of that season, Mary had gained 10th place in the National EGB Novice Award out of around 300 horses, and 2nd in the South East region. In 2004 they progressed to Intermediate level and despite a foot injury, Mary still managed to be in the top ten nationally, moving up to 8th place nationally in 2005. 2006 has been their best year yet, gaining several grade 1 and 2 finishes and also representing the South East group in several team events. They were proud to be selected for the England team for the Home International in August, but unfortunately were unable to take part due to a minor fetlock injury just before the event. However the pair successfully completed their first 100 mile race ride as part of the second placed South East team. In the Endurance GB National Awards for 2006, Karen and Mary collected the ROR trophy for the highest placed retrained racehorse, received the Royal Lord Trophy for coming 2nd in the under 65km section and achieved their 1600km distance award. Karen says: “Mary has really found her niche and has just gone from strength to strength. We successfully completed 12 graded rides and the most important achievement was being selected for the England team. But the highlight of the year was successfully completing our first 100 mile race ride and Mary really enjoyed the racing finish. Sometimes during a long distance ride you can spend a long time alone with your horse. It is a mental challenge and you need lots of will-power but Mary is so interested and attentive, we have built up a very close bond.”
Owned and ridden by Karen Mathers, Furzefield Equestrian, Broadwater Lane, Copsale, Nr Horsham, West Sussex Off The Latch, called “Jake” at home, was in training with G P Kelly and ran in 2 bumpers, but racing was not for him. After doing a little bit of everything with a previous owner, Karen acquired him 10 years ago and his career as a sport horse was to blossom. At first they went eventing and competed up to 2-star level, although dressage was not their strongest phase! They also did a bit of show jumping, and very nearly reached grade B. However “Jake” has an old stifle injury and conscious of this, Karen decided to retire him from jumping to avoid any further problems. They turned to dressage and everything just clicked into place. 2006 saw them competing consistently at Medium level, with 8 wins and finishing in the top 3 on 15 occasions. They have qualified for the Winter Regional Championships and have amassed over 200 BD points. Jake is now ready to compete at Advanced Medium level and the pair have been training with Pammy Hutton to perfect their flying changes. Karen says: “Jake is an absolute superstar and my best friend. Everyone adores him and he has a huge fan club. He tries so hard and is very consistent, and he is still learning. The training we have had recently has given him more lift and paces. He is now 19 years old and has learned most of the dressage stuff over the last couple of years. I hope that our achievement gives inspiration to other people with older horses, especially thoroughbreds, to have a go.”
Owned and ridden by Miss Kate Searby, Honeysuckle Cottage, 4 North Cliffe, Market Weighton, East Yorkshire. The Vicarene was bred by the Dawson Family and acquired the stable name Lucky after surviving a difficult birth. She is the sister of Roscoe Boy, winner of 21 point to points out of 24 starts, and is also related to Layedback Jack, Conbrook, Hermand Blake and Naughty Nellie, all of them pointing winners. Her own pointing career was somewhat disjointed, suffering a tendon injury during a gallop that required rest, and then “parting company” with her jockey, Jill Dawson, at the 14th fence on her debut at Brocklesby Park the following year. This season was cut short due to foot and mouth and she retired from racing the following year. Kate first came into contact with Lucky while working for Jill Dawson in 2002, and, after successfully competing in a range of disciplines, Kate took her on in 2006 to try her hand at Show Jumping. Both novices together, the partnership blossomed and they recorded their first victory at the BSJA Area 15 show at Allerton Park. They only had to wait for four days to prove that this was not beginners luck, when they recorded their second success at Port Royal Equestrian Centre. Altogether they won seven classes and had sixteen placings from June to October. Kate says: “Lucky is an extremely careful and consistent mare, who has given us so much fun last summer. Planning has already started for next year, with the targets being to compete in the British Novice and Discovery Regional Finals. At the moment she is enjoying her well earned winter holiday and she thinks her day is ruined if she is not in the field by 7.30am and rolling in the mud!” FULL RESULTSUnaffiliated Winner - Impetus Eventing Winner - Billy Bird Affiliated Showing Winner: Amezola Endurance Winner: Maiden Ray Affiliated Dressage Winner: Off The Latch Affiliated Show Jumping Winner: The Vicarene 
Unaffiliated Winner - Impetus
Eventing Winner - Billy Bird
Affiliated Showing Winner: Amezola
Endurance Winner: Maiden Ray
Affiliated Dressage Winner: Off The Latch
Affiliated Show Jumping Winner: The Vicarene
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