Meet The Gang
I have 3 of my own horses who like to keep me very busy. If you're anything like me and are rather nosey then you can keep up to date with what is happening with them and me on my personal and business facebook page!
I also feel it is important when working within the horse industry and working with animals as complex as horses it is valuable to 'be in the game'.
Hugo (Gortfree's Irish Luck)
I acquired Hugo during a short trip to Ireland. I combined a long overdue holiday with making a slight detour to visit Sean Barker, a breeder in Tourmakeady, Co Mayo. He bred 3 foals in total out of the same mare and stallion combination. The two mares my friend owns in Sussex. One is currently eventing at 1* and her younger sister is just starting out in her career but looks to be a very exciting prospect. I got the last foal who happened to be a colt. Hugo is by Gortfree Hero out of a Clover Hill mare and also boasts Euphemism lines. He is currently in the backing process and I will aim to event him in the future. Keep up to date on my personal facebook page to watch his progress! Sean has two wonderful Class 1 RID stallions, Gortfree Hero (Frank), who is in the picture left.... he has the most amazing temperament... and his son Gortfree Lakeside Lad (Freddie) who are definitely worth a look if you are considering a new competitive partner to compete in any sphere!
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Pykie (Young Guns)
Mr P as we like to call him is a coloured Irish gelding by Keady Star who I bought of a local show producer, Moggy Hennessy as a 4 year old. He was not the easiest by any means but this fact made me more determined to crack him. I feel at 9 years old we may just be getting there! Mr P will be aimed at getting his Royal International qualification in his coloured section this year and has already achieved his World Championship of Colour qualification!
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Mr P was diagnosed with kissing spines not long after we bought him which became evident during the backing process. I had him operated on with the old style operation that was available at the time. This involved removing parts of the impinging spinous processes, as opposed to the new ligament cut technique. This was a very invasive type of surgery and techniques have greatly moved on and improved since. I completed his rehabilitation and then gave him a year in the field to recover mentally as well as physically. I broke him in myself as a 5 year old, much to my parents despair but we got there!
This was where I realised my interest of rehabilitation techniques and highlighted the importance of muscles and looking after them. I regularly treat him and work him carefully and correctly to maintain his back which carries a slight weakness.
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Bobby (Calvados)
Bobby has become more of a pet in recent years. Unfortunately Bobby, despite being a very well bred Weatherby registered thoroughbred has had his own fair share of problems but he loves a cuddle and the odd hack around the countryside. The original plan was to event Bobby but his joints decided that it wasn’t going to be. He is happy pottering around but is currently on great form and has even been out lately competing for my riding club team!
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