Success stories Age is no barrier: My journey with former racehorses

I'm Natasha Andrews, a British Showjumping coach based in County Durham, currently pursuing my UKCC Level 4 at Gloucester University through British Equestrian. Alongside my coaching, I specialise as a veterinary physiotherapist, having qualified at Nottingham vet school. I focus on strength and conditioning support for former racehorses transitioning into their second careers. I reached out to RoR to share some inspiring success stories from my clients and to emphasise that age is no barrier to owning and enjoying an RoR horse.

One of my proudest moments has been working with a horse and rider combination for nearly two years. With a combined age of 84 (the rider is 63 and the horse is 21), they began training with the simple dream of completing a dressage test. After a successful racing career, the horse transitioned into unaffiliated showjumping but had little experience with dressage. Through a dedicated retraining process, the rider managed the horse’s anxiety and taught him the scales of training. This year, their hard work culminated in a victory at the RoR Regional Championships, and they qualified for the RoR National Championships at intro level. Now, they have their sights set on competing at prelim level next year.

Another client, also a mature rider, recently bought her first Thoroughbred after losing her previous mount. Aged 71, with her 12-year-old horse, they have formed a wonderful partnership. Her horse, already schooled to medium level, is now competing at elementary, and they are both thriving on this exciting new journey.

I also coach a mature client who is based on the same yard as the other two. Her horse, a former broodmare, has been brought back into work after her racing and breeding career. This client recently scored an impressive 68% in her third intro test and is now aiming to attend the RoR National Championships next year. It's a real team effort, with all three ladies on the yard supporting each other to achieve their goals.

On the other end of the spectrum, I also work with two teenage riders who own RoR horses. One of them has already qualified for the Riding Club National Championships in both novice dressage and showjumping, and she also competed at the British Showjumping Academy Championships, showcasing the versatility of her horse. The other is retraining a young horse fresh out of racing. She’s been doing fantastic groundwork, helping him transition in posture and movement. Recently, she started jumping small courses, with plans to compete in her school's league soon.

In addition to coaching, I often demonstrate stretches and exercises that support the musculoskeletal system, helping horses transition smoothly into second careers. I recently featured an RoR horse in a demo, showing how important these routines are in maintaining their long-term health and performance.

Through these varied experiences, I aim to highlight the versatility of former racehorses. With the right support and training, they can excel in a wide range of disciplines no matter the age or background of the rider.