“Rescue horses can”, is the message from the rider of a horse who was discovered as a malnourished, wounded yearling, and who received the 2024 Cotswold Cup 90cm championship.
RSPCA Kastone and Bethan-Might Greave completed on their dressage rating on 30 September to take the collection last. Bethan-Might informed H&H that had she been informed what Kastone would go on to do, when she collected him as an 18-month-old, “I by no means would have believed it”.
Bethan-Might first heard of Kastone when she ran into the pinnacle of rehoming for the RSPCA.
“He stated ‘I’ve received the proper horse for you’; I went to see him and he was pretty,” she stated. “However then I broke my ankle and couldn’t take him on. Three or 4 months later, he was nonetheless out there however they stated they had been saving him for a TV present.
“He appeared on ITV’s Give a Pet a House so I needed to go on TV however I received him. After a six-month trial, they signed him over to me and I’ve had him ever since.”
Bethan-Might stated Kastone was discovered shut in a barn with different children, skinny, wounded and “residing in poo”.
“After I took him on, they thought he’d get to about 14.2/15hh and be perhaps a companion or a contented hacker,” she stated. “We thought he may hack or nanny the infants however he simply grew and grew – and he’s turned out to be a bit famous person.”
Kastone’s delayed progress could have been owing to his lack of applicable diet early on, Bethan-Might stated, and will have brought on different points.
“He needed to have tendon surgical procedure just a few years in the past,” she stated. “He was about 1/10 lame and we investigated however couldn’t resolve it so that they went in with a digital camera and located a tiny longitudinal tear. They repaired it and he did a 12 months of rehab and hacking, and got here again higher.”
Kastone, who finally grew to 17hh and is now 11, didn’t do an excessive amount of as a teenager nevertheless it quickly grew to become obvious what he loved.
“He completely loves leaping,” Bethan-Might stated. “We simply thought we’d see what he may do. He certified for the Cotswold Cup in restricted outings and I knew he had the potential to win nevertheless it was whether or not he and I may maintain it collectively on the day.
“He usually does a great dressage take a look at, if he doesn’t get excited and do a random flying change or buck as a result of he’s having a great time, and he can go a bit inexperienced throughout nation. He’s completely sensible showjumping however with all of the marquees and distractions, generally his focus goes to them slightly than the fences, and the stress was unreal.
“It was so thrilling to win; I cried and cried as a result of I used to be so pleased with him. He loves being in entrance; I discuss to him and had stated ‘We’re within the lead and if you wish to lead the lap of honour, you’ll want to soar clear’. I believe he listened as a result of he beloved doing the lap of honour! That was his favorite a part of the day as he loves a crowd.”
Bethan-Might stated she hopes Kastone’s story would possibly present what rescue horses and ponies can do.
“Though he had such a poor begin in life, such a tough time, it hasn’t restricted him,” she stated. “He’s capable of exit and do all this, and he loves it. That’s why I do it.”
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