RICHMOND Equestrian Centre hosted an ‘ex-racehorse bonanza’ last weekend to showcase the talents of former racehorses from around the area, featuring showing, showjumping and dressage.

The event was masterminded by yard manager Kathryn Dobson to provide a platform to demonstrate that a correctly re-schooled racehorse really can be turned into a good allround riding horse.

Kathryn organises events at the centre along with her husband Scott and together they specialise in re-schooling former racehorses into a new life away from the track before matching them up with the right owner.

There are hundreds of success stories to demonstrate that former racehorses have adapted to, and excelled in, a wide range of equine sports although each horse is an individual and some will be better suited towards certain disciplines than others.

In general, thoroughbreds are both athletic and intelligent and, when coupled with the correct knowledge, facilities and retraining, owning a former racehorse can be a very rewarding experience.

The results were as follows:

Showing In Hand: 1 Tamara Service & Spencer, 2 Katherine Dobson & Lord Stones, 3 Bryony Perceval & Indigo Biatch, 4 Mandra Brooks & Border Image, 5 Dominic Walton & Flimi, 6 Ruth Furness & Thistle

Best Turn Out: 1 Eileen Melvon & Inca Sloop, 2 Tamara Service & Spencer, 3 Bryony Perceval & Indigo Biatch, 4 Mandra Brooks & Border Image, 5 Dominic Walton & Flimi, 6 Ruth Furness & Thistle All Round

Family Horse: 1 Bryony Perceval & Indigo Biatch, 2 Chloe Deyrayner & Native Title Racehorse to Riding Horse: 1 Dominic Walton & Flimi, 2 Robin Gray & What Can I Say, 3 Kallie Kristen & Cadmax, 4 Will Langstaff & Eric, 5 Alex Pepper & Border Image, 6 Jill Duffin & Ted

Showing Veteran: 1 Kallie Kristen & Cadmax, 2 Ellie Mattews & Jester, 3 Mandra Brooks & Border Image, 4 Andrew Fothergill & Sooty, 5 Samantha Welsh 6 Chloe Deyrayner & Native Title

65cm Showjumping: 1 Andrew Fothergill & Just Sooty, 2 Bonny Snowten & Lightening Rock, 3 Jennifer Jones & Pollyphon

65cm Showcross: 1 Jennifer Jones & Pollyphon 75cm Showjumping: 1 Jennifer Jones & Pollyphon, 2 Bonny Snowdon & Lightening Rock, 3 Katherine Dobson & Lord Stones, 4 Will Langstaff & Eric, 5 Fran Barrigan & Dark Champion, 6 Michael Pepper & Patrick

75cm Showcross: 1 Jennifer Jones & Pollyphon, 2 Michael Pepper & Patrick, 3 Will Langstaff & Eric

85cm Showjumping: 1 Fran Barrigan & Dark Champion, 2 Amy Lawrence & Alfie, 3 Angela Burrows & Abstract Folly, 4 Katherine Dobson & Lord Stones, 5 Will Langstaff & Eric, 6 Claire Heart & Clear for Action

85cm Showcross: 1 Robyn Gray & Whatcanyasay, 2 Claire Heart & Clear for Action

95cm Showjumping: 1 Amy Lawrence & Alfie, 2 Stacey Baister & Mister Thomas

Dressage: Intro A: 1 Nicole Westwood & Lady Luck Intro B: 1 Robyn Gray & Whatcanyasay, 2 Esther Veerman & Creid For You, 3 Emma Ward & Maigold Rose, 4 Lucy Borthwick & Lady Kingston, 5 Hazel Noble & Morandi, 6 Claire Armstrong & Island

Fellow Prelim 4: 1 Amy Lawrence & Alfie, 2 Bonny Snowdon & Leitrim Rock, 3= Ann Rudd & Montchara, 3= Stacey Baister & Mister Thomas, 5 Esther Veerman & Creid For You, 6 Jennifer Jones & Pollyphon

Novice 34: 1 Hazel Dowson & Leaping Charlie, 2 Samantha Welch & Callmesometime