Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard has been positioned on the Irish nationwide dressage championships, inside six months of his retirement from racing.
“APT”, who gained in 2022 with Rachael Blackmore within the saddle for Henry de Bromhead, resides with Emily Kate Robinson in Eire, turning his hoof to dressage and displaying in type and, Emily informed H&H, having fun with his new life.
H&H reported in January that the 10-year-old was to retire from racing, and Emily Kate took him on in March.
“I journey flatwork for Henry, and had been doing flatwork with him, and when he retired, I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the ability to take him on,” Emily Kate mentioned. “He was nonetheless sound, match and wholesome, and isn’t a horse who would have favored to fully retire. He’s all the time loved the flatwork so this was the best choice.”
Image by Louise O’Brien
Emily Kate is a global dressage rider who represented Eire on the pony Europeans.
“So the remainder of them listed below are warmbloods,” she mentioned. “I journey racehorses within the mornings and dressage horses within the afternoons; it’s very totally different however I prefer it.”
Emily mentioned APT, who continues to be owned by Cheveley Park Stud, could be very intelligent and fast to study, and has been having fun with doing one thing a bit totally different; having gained at preliminary degree, he certified for the preliminary ultimate on the Dressage Eire championships and got here fifth, this month.
“His class is the equal of British Dressage gold, and he was in with all warmbloods,” Emily Kate mentioned. “He’s so intelligent, in each manner; he’s so fast to study, you solely have to show him one thing as soon as, and he’s an important character. Slightly bit cheeky, however he’s a pet, an angel.”
Emily Kate and APT have additionally been displaying; they competed within the racehorse to driving horse class at Balmoral Present in Could, and got here second, Emily Kate mentioned APT reveals completely the flexibility of former racehorses.
“They’re so adaptable,” she mentioned. “It’s good for him to have a second job, and for me to have a pleasant enjoyable horse, no stress. It’s about having fun with him and seeing how far he’ll go. I don’t wish to put stress on him however we’ll positively look to the nationals once more subsequent yr.
“I wouldn’t have thought he’d have taken to all of it so shortly however he’s tailored so simply and actually enjoys it. He goes spherical along with his ears pricked on a regular basis, he’s a contented boy.”
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