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The death of a much-loved golden girl, ex-racers and other things the horse world is talking about

Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday morning
Sarah Jenkins Sarah Jenkins

    • 1. Sad passing of a show star

    Kay Sinclair-James, owner of successful show cob Cappuccino, has paid tribute to “the kindest horse to look through a bridle”. The 25-year-old mare, bought from Ireland as a youngster, is remembered by those who loved her as a horse who willingly turned her skills to anything asked of her, “with a smile on her face”. Cappuccino died on Boxing Day, owing to colic. “In 21 years I never fell off her,” Kay told H&H, adding the joy and pleasure “Cappu” brought over the years was “immeasurable”. “She was just amazing. We called her ‘the golden girl’.”

    A tribute to Cappuccino

    2. The debate about taking on an ex-racehorse

    Louise Robson specialises in retraining ex-racehorses for dressage, and she says riders should not be afraid to rule them out. She calls out the strong reactions that can be generated when horse-hunters stipulate, “No thoroughbreds” in wanted ads, that often involve advocates of ex-racehorses singing their praises and encouraging others to give them a chance. Louise thanks those who exclude off-the-track thoroughbreds from their search, pointing out that “taking on an ex-racehorse isn’t for the faint-hearted”. She wants to raise more awareness of what’s involved in taking on an ex-racehorse, reminding riders of the “commitment, hard work, brain ache and patience they require”.

    Read more from Louise

    Louise Robson on Quadrille

    Louise Robson and Quadrille, the second racehorse Louise retrained for The Queen

    3. Why rosettes mean so much to some

    To many a top rider, yet another rosette at a training show is something else to find room for in a drawer – until a clear out. For others, living the life they’ve always wanted or reliving a childhood that wasn’t as successful as they’d have liked, a rosette for fifth at an unaffiliated dressage event means the world. So should show centres be giving out more rosettes rather than less, or do costs prohibit it? Where do you sit on the rosette debate?

    One rider’s plea on rosettes

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    Sarah Jenkins
    Sarah Jenkins

    H&H editor-in-chief
    Sarah has more than 20 years experience as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from major championships including the Europeans and the World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on equestrianism including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university.
    Sarah Jenkins

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