Retraining Racehorses

Over twenty years ago I started breeding from Minskip Miss my ex racehorse who was placed once at three years old. She bred a nice show hack Minskip Millenium who won at county level in hand and was fourth at the Royal International. Three of Minskip Miss’s foals got on to the racetrack. Minskip Merlin was placed second twice as a two year old and we think would have won a race or two at three but sadly broke his leg on the gallops. He was a lovely horse with a super temperament and I still miss him. His half sister, Horsefair Dancer (Gypsy) was placed as a two year old but suffered an accident while out in the field and was retired from racing. She was brought back to health and with time and patience has been retrained. She is now owned by my sister, Jane. Last Sunday Jane entered her in her first dressage competition, she was ridden by Kath Barley who has helped with the retraining and also teaches Jane and me. We all just hoped that she would behave and our wildest expectations were met when not only did she behave but she won her class!

Gypsy’s half sister, Kannie Annie whose claim to fame on the racecourse was never to beat another horse is her field companion and I shall start her retraining this winter. She is very laid back so hopefully can follow Gypsy and become a dressage horse.