News & Guides

23rd August 2017 by Rowen Barbary

A Real Mixture.. (Mash It Up!) - Donna Bamonte

A Real Mixture.. (Mash It Up!) - Donna Bamonte
As I write my current blog I sit back and realise how different my season has been, new horses, new faces, new disciplines, ups and downs and new beginnings... though I am glad to say everything has turned out for the better.. My season hasn't been quite as busy regarding the Showing as Noble Jack my Novice ROR has been on the sidelines due to injury. I am however pleased to say that he has made a complete turnaround in recent weeks and after a year away from the ring we took him to a nice little show nearby where he not only won both his classes but also went Champion. Considering he has had so much time off I was thrilled with his performance and behaviour. Solution Mash has kept him looking fantastic and I hope to get a few more small outings under his belt before we prepare for 2018, pulling all the stops out to move forward as a Riding Horse, ROR and Ladies Side Saddle Horse.. I'm so excited for him! Valentine Jak has had a slightly quieter season, however we started off with a super win at Royal Cornwall in the Tattersalls ROR Show Series qualifier, qualifying for Hickstead 2018, as well as taking the Supreme at our local hunt show in May. He has also been campaigning the R2R HOYS qualifiers where we are thrilled to be placed each time in the final 6 out of nearly 40 horses a class. We have one more shot at Burghley Horse Trials in September to try and qualify.. it would be a dream to qualify one more time and this series is particularly hard to crack, with many top names fighting it out for those golden tickets! I am so proud of little Jak for all he has achieved and Readymash Extra is the main source of his nutrition with super results! Valentine Jak Aug 2017 I also have another addition to my little team consisting of a little Welsh Section B mare called Boreton Catkin (Kitty) piloted by 5 year old Ellie Hollis. We are only "playing" at small shows to build pony and rider confidence however culminating in an abundance of red rosettes and championships! We have started giving "Kitty" Solution Mash and thanks to her new diet the results shine through, a real star for the future! Boreton Catkin During my quieter season, I have been able to focus on my role within the Retraining Of Racehorses as the Regional Coordinator for the South West. This has given me an opportunity to help other Ex Racehorses and their owners to achieve their goals and enjoy their partnerships. It is such an honour and privilege to be able to do so! In July we held our annual ROR Summer Camp, where like-minded racehorse owners could get together with their horses for a few days, learn, make friends and most importantly have fun! Rowen Barbary kindly sponsored the event and everyone was thrilled with their goody bags and prizes that were kindly donated! Most importantly there was an opportunity to learn more about the RB range and many of the camp participants have since given Rowen Barbary a try, with fantastic results in a short space of time! I have always said the Rowen Barbary range works so well with all Thoroughbreds, I have always found a feed from them that works for my horses! I am so very grateful for the backing the camp and myself to the hilt!! My horses really are FED ON THE BEST! Finally, I have another ROR coming to live with me very soon in the form of Thenoblepranster, a 8-year-old bay gelding formerly trained by Pat Eddery. The aim is to show him as a novice next season and pursue a career in ROR/Riding Horse classes. I am very excited to have him with me and I shall be looking forward to see how he fares on the RB range! I have a feeling next season is going to be really busy... can't wait!! In the meanwhile we are still trying to chase that coveted HOYS ticket, attend the ROR Championships next week, get some more mileage on Jakes clock and prepare for another camp (27/29th October)... a real mixture of things going on with a bunch of happy, healthy horses who I am extremely proud of, thanks to Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds!!