Former racehorse to showjumper

AT just three years old, Flat racehorse Drinking Buddy was retired from racing and found his way to the Racehorse Rescue Centre in Carlisle, where he was retrained and lightly competed. Four years ago, he found his dream home with Karen Wood and her 15-year-old granddaughter Grace Wood.

Karen had been looking for a horse for

Grace to move on to from ponies, and although sceptical about her granddaughter’s first horse being an ex-racehorse, Buddy’s amazing temperament soon won her over.

“He’s totally laid-back and 100% bombproof,” says Karen. “The first time we took him cross-country schooling, I put him in

a Dutch gag in case he took off with Grace, but he quickly went back to his snaffle when we

realised he had no intention of bolting.”

Grace and Buddy have developed a bond. “She’d had a few ponies before him, but I was keen for her to move on to a horse, and it’s paid off,” explains Karen. “She does a lot of her competing at Blackdyke Farm where she does the winter points jumping league and they are currently in second place.”

The pair also have a penchant for Derbies. “Last year she did Cumbria Horse Trials eventer Derby, which she won,” says Karen.

Buddy isn’t without his quirks, as Karen explains: “He has to be sedated to be shod and clipped and he has to see the farrier every four weeks because his feet splay out like dinner plates. He’s quite high maintenance, but he’s such a lovely horse.”

Karen feels getting a horse from a charity was right for her, but it’s not for everyone.

“A lot depends on the horse and the person,” she says. “I knew the charity and trusted them. People want horses that have been there and done it, but I prefer something that needs a bit of work. Grace has had to put the work in and that’s experience that you can’t buy.”