The Queen’s ex-racehorse Barbers Shop will retire from the show ring after the Horse of the Year Show (4-8 October).
Ridden by Katie Jerram Hunnable, the 15-year-old former racehorse turned showing star was trained by Nicky Henderson while on the track. He ran 24 times under Rules and had eight wins.
Since then, Barbers Shop has had great success in the show ring, including being crowned supreme ridden champion at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show (14 May).
“It is really sad but he can’t keep going for ever,” Katie told H&H.
“I thought a lot about retiring him last year, but he was reserve champion at HOYS and a lot of people said bring him back one more time.
“He went supreme at Windsor and it was the most amazing moment of my life.
Well done Katie Jerram and Barber Shop, the supreme ridden champions at Royal Windsor!
Posted by Horse & Hound: Showing on Sunday, May 14, 2017
“It was something I never expected to happen. To see the smile on The Queen’s face was so special — it was like a dream.”
The bay gelding, who was the last horse to be bred by the Queen Mother, will continue with ridden work outside the show ring.
“I’m going to take him cubbing and to the opening meet in November,” said Katie.
“Hopefully he will continue to be asked to parade at the races too. He loves doing it and it would be such a shame not to put him on the lorry again.”
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Katie added that she “couldn’t wait” to ride Barbers Shop one more time in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class at HOYS.
Katie and Barbers Shop’s victory at Windsor earned them a nomination for the moment of the year title at the Horse & Hound awards.
Don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out Thursday 12 October, featuring all the news and reports from HOYS
