“She’s still in work four days a week”

KARLEY HUBBARD owns 25-year-old Irish Draught/thoroughbred event mare Sadlers Symphony (Jazz).

“We bought Jazz in 2008 as my first event horse,” tells Karley. “Although she’s hot-headed, opinionated and hates dressage, she gives you everything cross-country. She’s taken me up the levels, achieving our first British Eventing [BE] point, and numerous top-10 placings, including the Pony Club Eventing Championships and the BE100 under-18 finals.

“Back in February 2017, aged 21,

Jazz degloved her right hind down to the cannon bone. Six-months post injury, I was back on board and in June 2018, we were back out eventing, achieving a double clear and third place.

“Although she’s dropped down the levels now and is enjoying a quieter life, Jazz is still in work four days a week. We’ll hack, school, use polework and groundwork and she’s jumped once or twice a month to keep our eye in. I ensure we have long and slow warmups and cool-downs, she’s turned out every day for as long as possible and we keep a constant eye on her condition.

“She’s fed Emerald Green Grass-tastic and grass nuts, and in the winter months we add full-fat linseed to maintain condition. She is not on any supplements.

“She has a six-monthly MOT including a physio and dental check, and all being well we’ll be back out eventing this year at 90cm.”