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Celebrating Mary King’s Kings Temptress [PICTURES]


  • Mary King announced yesterday (15 June 2015) that her four-star winner Kings Temptress would be retired at the age of 15. To celebrate the mare’s career, we’ve dug into the archives to bring you photos of some of her biggest successes — from her 2011 Rolex Kentucky win to taking third at Burghley in the same year.

    Rolex Kentucky

    kentucky 2011

    The 15-year-old Primitive Rising mare’s career high came when she clinched the Kentucky title in 2011. “I’m absolutely over the moon,” Mary said at the time, after finishing second with Fernhill Urco at the same event. “I never would have dreamt I would be in this position when I left England to come here. Kings Temptress is very experienced at this level and was fluent all the way round,” she added, achieving one of only three double-clear rounds.

    Burghley

    Mary King riding KINGS TEMPTRESS

    At Burghley in 2011, Mary and the 16.1hh Kings Temptress (Tess) finished third.

    BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS  3RD SEPTEMBER 2010

    In 2010 at Burghley, Tess, who has “a lovely, calm, contented” temperament, came seventh.

    Luhmühlen

    Kings Temptress luhmuhlen 2009

    Tess completed five four-stars in her career, taking fourth on her debut at the level at Luhmühlen in 2009. She was the third horse that Mary bred out of Kings Mistress, but it wasn’t all plain sailing to begin with. “When I started jumping Tess, she really couldn’t do it and I thought, ‘What have I bred?’,” Mary said.

    Continued below…

    Badminton

    Badminton Horse Trials 2013

    Mary’s daughter Emily holds Tess at Badminton in 2013 while she takes a bath.

    The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on  10 05 2015

    At this year’s Badminton Tess did her dressage, scoring 47.1, but when Mary took her out for some exercise on Saturday morning, she got a “real shock” when she realised the mare was not sound.

    Barbury

    Barbury Horse Trials, 1st July 2012

    Tess and Mary in action at Barbury in 2012.

    Bramham

    Bramham Horse Trials 2008 Show Jumping

    Tess, who amassed 1,099 British Eventing points since she started competing in 2005, at Bramham in 2008.

    At home

    Mary King 291011

    Tess (right) with Mary, her daughter Emily and Everys King, who was Tess’s first foal by Mednight Mahout. Mary intends to continue breeding from Tess, who has had a number of embryo transfer foals,  following her retirement from competition.

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