By Bec Bramich

Photos courtesy Emma Holland and subject to copyright.

Regal Christabel (Chrissy) came into Springridge racing stable, owned by Kim and Steven Noble, from the Inglis Racehorse Sale on 16th March 2012. She had been to the races 10 times for 1 third and $3,375 in prizemoney.

Her condition was quite poor and her prospects were not looking very good, as she was being sold in the Broodmare section despite her pedigree being nothing flash, and was on a racing ban as she had refused to leave the mounting yard at her last race start.

The Noble’s liked the look of her early form and thought they would give her a chance, paying a mere $600 and saving the mares life.

The first time they took her on the training track, she had a panic attack 1/2 way around and threw her head near the ground and kept running backwards hitting the running rail. She was stopped and her heart was thumping so much you could feel it through your legs. Kim could only assume that she had been given a flogging a few times. She had to trial in front of the stewards to be allowed to race again and the timing of this was perfect for Kim and Steve’s daughter Samantha, who needed to ride Chrissy to gain her jockey licence. She was Sam's first official race trial.

Chrissy had her first race for Spingridge Racing on 13th August 2012 at Swan Hill. They had no idea how she would go. She dropped out to last and flew home over the last 400m to run 4th, she won $600. She had paid them back already. Her 3rd start for Springridge reaped even better rewards, she won by 2 1/2 lengths and $9,000 prizemoney.

Unfortunately she couldn't put it together anymore on raceday after this, they gave her another 14 races at the weakest meetings they could find, but she just didn't want to be a racehorse anymore. So the mare was put out into the paddock again to have her fate pondered.

Sam, who had previously dabbled in endurance riding but had given it a break for a year whilst she got her career started as a jockey, decided she would like to get back into it as a hobby. So she saddled up Chrissy and started riding her around their little track at home. Firstly starting her in a track saddle and then moving her into an endurance saddle. 

Chrissy made it clear that she enjoyed this kind of riding, so Kim and Sam then trained her how to behave for the vet at an endurance ride. Given that the mare was very head shy it was a bit of a process, but with patience and practice they were eventually able to lift her lips and check her gums without her throwing her head in the air and running backwards. They also had to teach Chrissy to do a trot out, a very important part of Endurance riding and again the mare, who was fit from racing, required the appropriate work to become Endurance fit.

As the partnership grew, Sam decided it was time to enter an event and chose the 40kms at Landsborough, Victoria on the 8th March 2014. The pair completed the 40kms in just under 4 hrs, with the mare pulling up very well, even though she was a bit excited about the whole situation, given this was the first time in a long time she had been out in the big wide world with company!

When Chrissy was retired from racing, she had had 27 starts for 1 win and 1 third and had earnt $16,343 in prize money. When I heard of what Sam was trying to achieve with Chrissy and how she was giving her another chance at life, I was so happy. It just goes to show that any horse can be used in Endurance riding and that there is a life for horses after the racetrack, you just have to find what they enjoy, and give them patience and persistence.

I can’t wait to see more of Chrissy in her new career as an Endurance horse with her extremely talented jockey Sam and hope to bring your more of their story in the future.