ALISTAIR McDonald from Crumlin, Co Antrim, has had a good year with numerous showing successes, including reserve champion yearling at Dublin with TMS Point Break. McDonald is no stranger to show ring success, as he owns the prolific Racehorse to Riding Horse winner Mossbank, now retired.

At the end of July, he took another of his horses, Battles Gent (Taffy), over to the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) at Hickstead and, with neighbour Chloe Thompson in the saddle, won an unexpected title, The Horse Trust’s Healthiest Body Condition Score (BCS) in the Middleweight Amateur Hunter class.

The Horse Trust, in tandem with the British Equine Veterinary Association, considers equine obesity to be one of the highest risks to equine health. This led to The Weigh To Win scheme being created and piloted by The University of Liverpool, in collaboration with The Horse Trust, in a bid to spread the word on how best to go about maintaining the healthiest weight.

The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of and reward healthy equine body condition, particularly in show horses. Selected show classes in participating UK shows had a vet assess for body condition. The horses with the healthiest BCS were awarded a special green and gold rosette.

This initiative is a step in the right direction for equine welfare, as obesity in horses can lead to serious health conditions like Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Laminitis.

First time Irish winner

Following the win, McDonald said: “I believe this is the first time this award has been given to a horse from Ireland. It was our first time at RIHS - we qualified for the Middleweight Amateur class at an IPS show in Necarne earlier this year.”

Battles Gent (Taffy) is a six-year-old Welsh-bred Sport Horse of Great Britain and his breeder, Malcolm Jones, travelled to RIHS to watch him compete. Bought as a two-year-old after winning his first outing at the Royal Welsh, he continued his success taking many Champion and Supreme wins as an in-hand two- and three-year-old.

“I’ve found Taffy a very easy horse to break and produce,” said McDonald. “He is a pleasure to enter into any show, knowing that he generally comes home with a ribbon.”

The owner has a very capable rider and handler in Chloe Thompson, also from Crumlin. They met almost 15 years ago, when Chloe came to help Alistair’s daughter Kirsten with their horses. “At that time, Chloe would help with general yard duties. She would also come along to shows and assist with all the preparation that entails.”

Kirsten left for Sydney 12 years ago and McDonald offered Chloe the opportunity to step up to riding each day. “She worked hard, coming to ride after school and still does today, whilst holding down a full-time job. Chloe’s first big show was four weeks after her 16th birthday riding my ex-racehorse Mossbank in Dublin!

“As a hobby, she now competes regularly at the highest level, which included Royal Dublin Horse Show a few weeks ago, gaining two seconds (including second in our Sportmans class) and Reserve Champion. With determination and a yard of great horses, we work well as a team and I regularly feel challenged by the experience Chloe has now gained. Teacher being taught by student springs to mind, but don’t tell her that!” McDonald concluded.