Life After Racing

I have owned Percy aka Pud (Proclamation x Petrikov) since September 2018. I wanted an ‘all rounder’ and he has exceeded every expectation. When we went to view him I felt very relaxed with Sam, it was clear she had done a lot of work and had a lovely bond with him. I knew then and there he was right for me and Sam made the process very easy.

I have ridden all my life but had never owned a TB. He never raced or went into training- fast life isnt really for him. He is such a kind boy and loves attention. Will ransack your pockets for treats and follows me round the field when I’m poo picking! He lives at home with his Arab brother whom he adores (a bit too much!) we have done a bit of everything, dressage, show jumping, one day events, showing- he can turn his hoof to anything. Both my mum and my dad have had a walk and trot on him and neither can ride! He really looked after them. An older lady (85!) used to bring him in from the field as did my friends daughter (6 year old – under supervision) and it was amazing how he would just mooch along beside them.

In 2021 we qualified for HOYS in the search for a star series and we were very proud to stand 4th! He behaved impeccably. He’s very easy to keep and a good doer (he likes to eat!) I’m very lucky to have found him.

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I have taken things slowly with Scottie whilst he adapted to all the changes, his routine, new environment, and the other horses on the yard.  He is schooling well on the flat, enjoys hacking out & some RoR clinics are lined up. He has taken everything all in his stride and any questions asked of him he has processed well and grown in confidence every day.  The long-term aim for Scottie will be to be an allrounder and have a go at everything (eg UA SJ, Eventing and RoR showing classes).

The rehoming process through Plantation Farm was straightforward but thorough. We had initial discussions on what I was looking for in a horse, what I wanted to do and how the horse would be kept. After these discussions, I had the opportunity to view the available horses and try the one that they believed would be best for me. The team was very accommodating, allowing me to try Scottie a couple of times before we both felt confident that we would be suitable for each other.  I couldn’t have asked for a better match-up and Scottie has since become a favourite on the yard, loved by everyone, including children (especially Spiderman). 

These horses are like part of the family for the team and all they want is what is best for them for their future careers.

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I bought Silver in 2018 I think when he was 8. He had finished racing/training earlier that year. He is the most lovely horse, he’s done fun rides, been to the beach, up gallops.

Unfortunately had to have his eye removed last summer but this has not phased him at all. He now sports a custom made eye patch!

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I have now re- homed two of Plantation Farm’s thoroughbreds, Mysterious Man (Magic) and Elyaquim(Spider)

When going to view both these horses it was love at first sight; being able to go up see the horses in the lovely facilities of Plantation Farm and how happy they are already with seeing how much they are truly loved before moving on to go find their forever home .

Magic – he was the kindest horse you could ever find, my true heart horse. With a few years getting to know him, lots of re-training and hard work it led us on to competing in ROR dressage and out on the hunting field. 

Spider is now living is best life, getting treated like a superstar! We have been doing lots of schooling, hacking and arena hire. In addition I have just taken him out to his first competition where he was impeccably behaved! We plan to go out hunting this season, which will give him the opportunity to have lots of fun!

The best part I’ve found from re-homing from Plantation Farm is how much all the staff / owners care and love to see how you are getting on with your horse. I couldn’t recommend a better place to find your next best friend.

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I’ve always loved thoroughbreds but had never owned a full TB until now. I was a little anxious buying straight from a racing yard but as soon as I saw Sam trotting around, I could tell these horses had been started right. I instantly felt a connection with my boy and after two laps of the arena, I’d made up my mind. 

All the basics were established and ready to start building upon. After a year or so of hacking and schooling (due to COVID!), Boo went out to his first dressage competition and came home with two wins, and later that year won the Area RC dressage, qualifying for the Nationals. 

He competes successfully in ODEs, arena eventing and SJ, always in the ribbons, as well as enjoying fun rides and stay away camps.

‘Uncle Boo’, as he’s now known, has the best character and took on the task of educating my foal from just 6 weeks old. He now enjoys messing around the fields and entertaining the yearling. He is so easy on the ground, my “lame” mum will happily walk him to the paddock, and he often takes my nephews for lead rein hacks around the farm. 

I would definitely buy another ex-racehorse and would 100% start my search at Plantation Farm.

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In July 2023, our family acquired Ben for rehoming as a 17^th birthday present for our son Kamarai who had outgrown his mare and was eager to find a new partner to affiliate in Eventing. We live in London and have been lucky to find a local private yard where we keep Kamarai’s horses.

Ben is our first experience with thoroughbreds and retired racehorses. He has been a wonderful addition to the family and although he is 17.3hh, is a gentle giant with the sweetest personality. After a few weeks of settling in at the yard, we started with his retraining which he took to like a duck to water. There were so many firsts for him, like hacking in our local park full of dog walkers and curious city folk and trying his hoof at Cross Country.

He is an incredibly quick learner, and after only a few months of training managed to qualify for British Eventing’s ACE Winter Series Final at Aintree, after a 3^rd placement at our local show centre in 100cm and a win in the 105cm.

After a mild injury at the beginning of the Eventing season, we opted to give him an extended rest, and to concentrate on the 2025 season instead. After restarting him, he immediately picked up from where we left off and can’t contain his enthusiasm at being back in work.

I purchased my mare from Sam in Sept 2023!

Prior to our 4 hour drive to view the mare Sam answered my many questions.  

When we first arrived to view the 3-year-old mare, Sam made us feel very welcome and showed us the mare in her stable, we were again able to ask loads of questions and we could see how well the yard staff cared for their horses.

Sam then tacked up and rode the mare first before I got on. To be honest I wasn’t sure I was capable of taking on such a young horse. However after some advice from the friend I taken with me, I made the decision to take the mare home. I renamed the mare Tyra and registered her as Glancing Star. 

Tyra settled in really well, in fact we went for a long hack alone the very next day. Tyra loves hacking and will literally take me anywhere I want to go. She doesn’t get silly or fresh in open fields and will wait when asked. She’s happy in a group or alone.  

The trickiest part was mounting, as she didn’t understand standing still at the block. However it took a YouTube video, a pack of apple bites and 30 mins to teach Tyra to park herself at the mounting block. 

Since owning Tyra we’ve enjoyed loads of hacks and fun rides. We started schooling at the beginning of spring and in the summer we competed at David Brooms Cricklands summer show. We took home reserve champion in the Newby Novice class. 

In the next few weeks we will start with some pole clinics and further schooling lessons with the view to compete in the ROR showing classes next year. 

In time I’d love to get involved with ROR eventing and potentially pairs hunter trials with my daughter. 

After a very rocky 3 years with my previous horse I’m so grateful that I found Tyra. 

Massive thank you to Sam and the team.

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I acquired Cumin (Ecume Atlantique) from Richard last summer to add to my gang of Team Chasers and Drag Hunt horses.

He is the most wonderful character and although pretty enormous (all 17.3hh of him) he is a gentle giant and is the easiest of all mine to do anything with. He took to Team Chasing very nicely last Autumn, Drag Hunted for me in the winter months and is about to start Autumn Team Chasing again next weekend. Unfortunately the Spring season was written off due to the ground so we dabbled in a bit of Arena Eventing and grid work sessions to get more experience and keep the interest going. 

Like most ex-racehorses he is very straightforward to teach, learns quickly, doesn’t argue and is a total pleasure to have around as my adrenalin seeking partner and as my loving friend. 

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