ANOTHER MAN TAKES RACEHORSE CROWN

Our 2008 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 new Caldene arena to see how these ex-racehorses performed and they were not to be disappointed, with the immaculate grey, Another Man, owned by Mr and Mrs R Hartland and ridden by Claire Oliver, putting in a superb performance to take the championship.  Carol Bardo’s beautiful Shahzan House, ridden by Jayne Webber, showed impeccable manners and behaviour to take reserve.

Eleven horses came before the judges at HOYS and the standard was extremely high but conformation judge, Terry Pendry, and ride judge Pippa Stacey were more than equal to the task.   “The bar has definitely been raised.  The finalists are all turned out immaculately, particularly for the time of year when they are starting to turn in their coats, and their behaviour is outstanding, with the loud speakers, lights and distractions”, said Terry Pendry, who rode on the flat for J P Jeomans on the Scottish circuit before spending 20 years as Riding Instructor at the Household Cavalry and then Stud Groom and Manager at Windsor Castle.  “The first three were stunning and in conformation they were very close.  It had to come down to the ride to separate them.  It was an outstanding class and most rewarding to see horses off the track come to a second job”, he said.

All the horses responded well under ride judge, Pippa Stacey, who was delighted with they way they went.  “I was a little anxious about how they would go in the electric atmosphere of the arena, but I was delighted with how beautifully they went on the go-round, and after riding the first one I knew I was in heaven.  He was so beautifully polite and comfortable”, she said after riding Shahzan House.  But Another Man would not be beaten after giving what Pippa described as ‘a perfect, armchair ride’.  “Anyone could do it.  I could not fault him, he was so smooth and obedient and the easiest ride – one of the nicest horses I have sat on”, she said.  “All the horses have been so well behaved and beautifully presented.  The standard is very strong, and it is an honour to judge here.  It is definitely my favourite class!  This is a marvellous series and I am thrilled to be part of it”.

Claire was delighted with Another Man’s performance.  “He was foot perfect.  This is a wonderful class and gives ex-racehorses another job.  Re-training them for the show ring is not easy, but they learn to settle with other horses around”, she said.  Another Man, a 13yo grey gelding by Cataldi out of Steal On, is half brother to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, One Man.  He ran 5 times over hurdles during his racing career, trained by Heather Doulton, and then tried eventing with Leslie Law before Robert Oliver found him.  Mr and Mrs Hartland bought him to do racehorse show classes and Claire took second place in the Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship at HOYS in 2007.

Jayne Webber was equally delighted with the reserve spot for Shahzan House, known at home as “Debs”, a 9 year old bay gelding by Sri Pekan (USA) out of Nsx (USA).  “It was great to come second and he coped brilliantly.  He is not easy and can sometimes be funny about having other horses around him.  He is still very much a racehorse to look after and you have to be careful with his rugs and doing up his girth.  All the horses do fantastically, especially as being indoors is so out of context for them.  Debs was also 4^th in the Large Hack class, so to come out for a second time and behave, he really did do well”, she said.   Shahzan House was trained latterly by P Murphy and had 33 starts and 2 wins in his racing career, accumulating £55,750 in prize money.  He was tried over hurdles but was not brave enough and Carol Bardo bought him straight out of Lambourn.  He did some dressage competitions before turning to the show ring.

Third place went to Mickey Croke, owned and ridden by Charlotte Salisbury. This 11 year old bay gelding by Alflora (IRE) out of Praise The Lord, was at one time owned by Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud.  He notched up 2 wins and 4 places from 15 starts during his National Hunt racing career, trained by C Egerton and latterly by M Todhunter. He was bought straight out of racing last summer and Charlotte bought him in March this year. 

Last year’s winner, Lin D’Estruval, a 9 year old, bay gelding by Cadoudal (FR) out of Recolte D’Estruval (FR), stood fourth.  Owned by Bailey’s Horse Feeds and ridden by Lynn Russell, Lin D’Estruval won and was placed 3 times from 10 runs during his National Hunt career, trained by C P Morlock.  Lynn bought him in 2006 and won the Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship at HOYS in 2007.

Entries included Fergal, owned by Peter Richmond and ridden by Lizzie Richmond, and Millimeter, owned and ridden by Emily Curtis, both competing in the final for the third time.  Dorothy Hesketh’s, Animated, ridden by Faye Hesketh,  Emma Boardman’s Bidder’s Itch and Alycia Collins’ Debonair V, are all just 4 year olds in their debut showing season but showed exemplary manners and behaviour. 

Animated, by Averti (IRE) out of Anita Marie(IRE), was trained by AJ McCabe and had 5 starts.  He last ran in October 2007 before going to the Doncaster sales where Dorothy Hesketh bought him.  Bidders Itch, by Auction House(USA) out of Sharp Ego(USA), was trained by Alan Berry and ran 7 times.  His last outing was last year, in October, in Ripon. 

Sherkhan, owned and ridden by Rachel Thomas, and Vicky Smart’s Differential, both have a racetrack record, but have adapted to the showring, even though Differential still resides in the yard where he was trained as a racehorse.  Trainer, Brian Smart, was at the ringside supporting his wife, and praised the class for the opportunities is provides.  “The racing world must acknowledge and support these initiatives”, he said.

Picture:  Another Man and Claire Oliver win the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship at HOYS with SEIB Marketing Manager Nicolina MacKenzie and Sue Robb.  Credit: Real Time Imaging.