Racehorse to Riding horse

[Drvmb1ggl3]

So, you would think the competition would get easier after you retire from racing, no?
The great Brave Inca wins a riding horse class at the RDS, but has to beat out the likes of Gold Cup winner Kicking King and the mighty two mile chaser Moscow Flyer to win!

From the Racing Post...

CHAMPION HURDLE winner Brave Inca, who was retired from racing in May after an illustrious career, was back in the number one spot in a new role on Saturday when he won the inaugural Racehorse to Riding Horse Class at the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

The competition, sponsored by Good Food Ireland, attracted 21 entries and was introduced to identify retired racehorses who would make useful and suitable riding horses and the judging of the class was based on the ride, manners and conformation.

Brave Inca, who won ten Grade 1 races as a racehorse, was ridden in the class by Kirsteen Reid, who works at an equestrian centre near trainer Colm Murphy's County Wexford yard.

Kicking King, the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, was placed fourth and former dual champion chaser Moscow Flyer was fifth.

Murphy said: "Brave Inca is still in our yard and enjoying his retirement. He had a good day out today and everything went well. I'm sipping champagne and I thought those days were over!"

Here's a picture of the three boys (http://images.racingpost.com/2009/Aug/9055.jpg). Looks like they've put on a few pounds in their retirement. Looking good though.

[jennywho]

What a cool class idea. I wish they would have more classes like that at schooling shows. So many people have no idea that racehorses can go on to excel at second careers. Thanks for sharing.

[lily04]

There is a show in NJ for OTTB's. My favorite class is The War Horse Class for horses that raced at least 50 times or earned over $100,000.

[texang73]

Awesome. :D

[Soldier06]

I would love to do something like the NJ show with my horse. He too lives a fairly competitive life even after coming off the track.

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0BEF0080HH0001&po=1
http://krussell.photobiz.com/cart/photo_detail.cfm?photoID=552228
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0BEF007Y510007&po=7

(I plan on ordering all 3 photos for my birthday. :D)

[Drvmb1ggl3]

I guess the unusual thing is that three champions, each one multiple G1 winners, and each one a millionaire (they won over $5m in earnings between three of them), all ended in the top five in the same class.
Not something you see very often.

[Equilibrium]

Sorry didn't see this posting at 5 something in the morning!

Terri

[mortebella]

It sure didn't take Brave Inca long to adapt! May to August? That's a quick study!

[Equilibrium]

I think you'll find most of the NH horses pretty easy going characters. Most had 5-7 year careers so this type of day out is nothing for them!:)

Terri

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Yeah, it would be an easy enough transition for the 10yo Brave Inca. A good deal of the last 6-7 years of his life he would have spent being hacked on roads, going out every morning in a large string and galloping in a group, and even some time in the sand ring once in a while popping over poles to sharpen his jumping. Probably the big difference in schedule would be that he would be used to getting the summers off, turned out in a field with other NH geldings.
Not this summer!