written by Roberta Coll
The Queen was graced with a surprise birthday gift on Thursday, as she watched her horse Barbers Shop, who was bred by her mother, secure the overall title in the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) ridden show horse championship, all in her back garden.
The 14-year-old gelding, who was ridden by Katie Jerram, was previously in training with National hunt trainer Nicky Henderson. During a successful racing career, he achieved a grand total of eight wins out of 24 starts and has amassed £143,490 worth of prize money, not including the £50 Tesco voucher awarded to Her Majesty, on account of his triumph on Thursday. Barbers Shop turned his versatile hoof to the show ring after retiring from racing, and following assessment and initial retraining from The Queens stud groom Terry Pendry, he was taken on by producer Katie Jerram. Since, the pair have enjoyed multiple successes in RoR classes; including winning twice at Royal Windsor, as well as impressive wins at Hickstead and last year’s RoR National Championships at Aintree.
However, Barbers Shop isn’t the only example of how a dramatic change of career, in spheres which are essentially poles apart, can be not only accomplished but excelled in. Jenny Cowen rode her own striking ex- racehorse Mokum to victory in the RoR/TBA Challenge Final, from a first rate field of forty four other competitors.
The 15-year-old gelding was previously trained by Worcestershire trainer Tony Carroll and Owned by Mr. M. Cooke; he had a career which included four wins and eight placings from a total of 58 starts. Mokum was Jenny’s first ex racehorse, previously having owning heavier breeds; however she states how their intelligence and good attitude towards work has definitely won her over. Jenny has been focusing on Dressage with Mokum as she wanted to “get the flatwork right”
Said Jenny “he does really enjoy his jumping and will continue to jump in the future, just to let him have a bit of fun.
Jenny continued “he’s like a five year old in a 15-year-olds body, so friendly and cheeky but lovely. He just loves to be doing something, and he’s really happy and settled in his one to one lifestyle”.
Mokum isn’t the only one who’s undergone a lifestyle change, as just twelve weeks ago Jenny became a mother; she started riding again six weeks after the birth of her daughter and almost didn’t go to Windsor because she didn’t feel they were ready, however she thought they may not get another chance! Said Jenny “I’m very lucky to have the support of wonderful grandparents and husband, as well as a lady who hacked Mokum out for me while I was pregnant. She’s rides him twice a week now to help out.”
Both these horses and riders are advocates for the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), a pivotal effort into providing suitable homes and careers for racehorses who have ended their racing careers and are ready to adapt their skills in other equestrian activities.
For more information on this fantastic charity visit the Retraining of Racehorses website.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.