We were delighted to have three BTRC horses compete at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships at Aintree Racecourse at the end of August, all coming away successful and happy with their performances. Read on below to hear how they got on:
BTRC Innocent Touch & Abigail
Loaner Abi took BTRC Innocent Touch on loan in August 2021 and since then Abi has continued to produce IT to a high standard.
Eleven-year-old Innocent Touch was awarded 2nd place in the Longevity Class and was also invited to take part in the ‘Always a Star’ Parade in the Saturday evening performance. On the track Innocent Touch was very successful and won over £50,000 for owners Nicholas and Venetia Wrigley.
Venetia, who was in attendance on the Saturday evening said, “Seeing Innocent Touch at the ROR Championships at Aintree was absolutely wonderful – he looked absolutely fantastic, performed very well and is clearly a much loved horse who is relishing his new role. When he was in training with Richard Fahey, I rode him every day. He looked after me going up the gallop every time – even if he did grab me by the back of my back protector and lift me up in the stable when I arrived to tack him up!”
“BTRC have done a brilliant job retraining him and they have found him a truly wonderful home. I am so glad that I sent him there as it has been a perfect outcome – I do hope more people will support this very special establishment that looks after the horses first and foremost – ensuring that these animals who give so much pleasure while they are racing, are placed with new owners who understand the needs of thoroughbreds. The aftercare by the BTRC is second to none – no horse that they retrain ends up starving in a small paddock by a busy road – abandoned because he or she is no longer wanted. It is a very special organisation.”
Abigail said “He was an absolute superstar, I’m so pleased with how he’s taken to the show ring in his 4 shows this year. We are looking forward to training over the Winter and maybe mix things up with some dressage/jumping.”
BTRC Ideal Recruit and Rebecca
BTRC staff member Rebecca took Ideal Recruit (Rio) on loan in November 2021 after falling in love with him at work. Rebecca has slowly and correctly worked with Rio, who is 9 years old, to build his confidence in order to start enjoying local competitions and training clinics. They have such a special bond and this has proven with their success over the summer.
Rebecca said “We’ve had the best time at Aintree for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships. Two super 6th places in competitive classes against some really nice horses. So proud of my little superstar, for his first summer out competing I couldn’t ask anymore.”
BTRC Hailing Park & Rachel
Rachel has had BTRC Hailing Park on loan since early 2016 and over the years they have had some great success at many different disciplines. At the RoR National Championship 2022 they competed in two classes, ‘One for the girls’ and ‘Veteran’ in hand showing and won not one but both classes!
The previous week they were placed 3rd in the Open In Hand Show Series Final to secure their ticket for the 2023 RoR Championships despite being the only mare and veteran in a big open class. The horses that placed higher than her were 10 and 12 years her junior as Hailing Park is now 16 years old.
Hailing Park had an injury to her left foot in May 2022 and Rachel has done a fantastic job rehabbing her to get her back into competitive work ready for the end of the showing season and it has certainly paid off!
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