Equine Transformation - A Regal Affair and Emma Cox

This article is from the December 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

Tell us about Bear. Bear is a 16.3hh, eight-year-old Thoroughbred by Real Saga out of Devil Inside, who raced as Bearskin. He was a Tony Gollan (Queensland) trained horse who won $114,000 in prize money from 11 starts; three wins, one second and three thirds. Bear is now located in Sydney and competes in the show ring as A Regal Affair.

How and when did Bear come into your life? Bear came into my life after an unsuccessful search for my next dressage horse just over two years ago. I’d albeit given up when Bear was retired from racing and a mutual friend turned him down, but passed Jane Gollan’s contact details on to me thinking he’d be a good short term project until I found what I wanted. They say the rest is history, and he arrived four days after his last race in Queensland. I had never intended to turn to showing, let alone take on a Thoroughbred, but I just had a feeling this horse was going to convince me otherwise.

What potential did you see in him? I really didn’t know! He was purchased sight unseen and I had just looked at a couple of still photographs - most of him racing. I couldn’t really see, but Jane assured me he was an exciting show prospect - and he had a pretty head. It was one of those quick decisions I just hoped worked out, and luckily for me it did.

What was his condition and temperament like on arrival? He was in full racing condition and oozed personality. Bear knew his size and always used it to his advantage — making for an interesting process that followed. He also liked his personal space, and if you were in it, you were very quickly reminded not to be.

What did you do with him in the first month? The first month was huge for Bear and I. Being my first Thoroughbred, I took a lot of guidance and support from my trainer Stephen Gladstone (and still do!). Together we worked on getting him going under saddle, and I had my vets checking him to make sure he was fit for work post racing. I was also conscious of a small racing injury to his hoof, so our farrier Rodney Brazzill worked closely to keep his feet healthy and strong. He was worked six days a week, a combination of long reining by Steve, free lunging and riding, whilst eating more food than an elephant! But he just loved his work, which made all the difference.

How did he progress over six months? He went from being a racehorse who charged around the arena on the left rein only, not knowing what the term slow meant, to cantering on both leads, moving off the leg and holding a frame. He started to develop muscle and the ability to carry himself using his hind end, an exciting thing to see.

What did you discover in your first few rides? Being a horse that was extremely brave under saddle, I always felt safe on his back rather than on the ground. So his first few rides were fun. They weren’t pretty though. We couldn’t stay on the wall of the arena, let alone go in a straight line, but he never once looked twice at anything, which allowed us to teach him quickly. With Steve’s help, he learnt to shoulder-in and leg yield, and from there his confidence improved immensely.

What was his first outing and how did he cope? His first outing was the Show Horse Council NSW Young Star Championships. We threw him in the deep end and he just rose to the occasion. On arrival he was snorting and full of energy, there were races next door to the showground and he could hear it all, so he was on edge. I think he grew another 12 hands as well, but being a horse I felt safe on top of, I got on and rode him around the grounds until he was more relaxed. He was so confident out there, never once caring about the surroundings. We could not have been prouder of him as he came away with Champion Large Newcomer Show Hunter over 16hh, an outcome we never expected.

How did he respond to each new step in his training towards a successful Royal show horse? Bear has always loved to work. For him, a day off is a bore and he’d much rather have something to do, so preparing him to go to his first royal was a pleasure under saddle. It was the ground stuff we had to manage — he never liked being fussed over, so preparing him for the ring was something that required extra time and patience. We are also fortunate to have Centennial Parklands to expose him to, so we worked hard out there to get him used to anything and everything; cars, bikes, screaming children and kites to name a few.

What were the challenges? Bear hates having his forelock plaited, rugs put on (not ideal for a show horse!) and being prepared for the ring in general. So this meant a lot of patience and time was needed to get him ready at each show. He is much better today, but sometimes gets a bee in his bonnet and reminds us of his ‘rules’. But even at times when we’d be frustrated at these challenges, we’d look back at where he had come from to remind us of how much we’d actually improved.

How would you best describe his personality? Bear is personality plus. It’s his way or the highway, and he will remind me of that if he needs to. But he and I have spent nearly every day, twice a day, over the last few years together, so there is a lot of trust between us as long as I continue to keep the surprises to a minimum. I love it though, I think he’d be too boring if he just went with the flow!

Does he have any special needs? Bear is a creature of habit. He acts as if he doesn’t need anyone, but really he is a big softy for me. We have to put his rugs on the same way every day and brush him using the same sequence. He also gets a pat on his head before his halter goes on. If he knows the routine, he is a good horse to be around.

What are your greatest achievements to date? The small things are the greatest achievements for me. Like being able to take him on a walk without him having a moment, or put a rug on without him dancing around. But competition-wise it has to be his success at Canberra Royal where he finished 3rd in the Novice Show Hunter as the only Thoroughbred against some incredibly talented Warmbloods. Most recently, I was so excited to be Top 10 in the Open Show Hunter at the SHCA NSW Horse of the Year - as the only Thoroughbred in the Top 10, it was something we were very proud of.

What’s been the biggest challenge with Bear? The biggest challenge has been handling him on the ground. He does not have the best manners and will do anything to be in control. As Steve says, “he’s the horse you buy for your Mother-in-law” as he likes it his way a lot. It really is only myself or Steve who handle him (or my mum who feeds him endless treats) because he trusts us now, but if he doesn’t know you, he makes a point of letting you know.

What is Bear up to today? Today Bear is preparing for his last show of the year, the ACT/NSW Off the Track Series Final, alongside the annual Emma’s Show Horse Championships. After that, he will have a short spell before coming back into work for Canberra Royal 2020 as well as a few other HOTY’s.

What was the key to his transformation? I would have to say a combination of his workload and training at home, as well as good quality feed. But really, the turn in his transformation came when I asked Mickie Magan - Equine Herbalist, to come and see him. She prescribed a herbal medicine and feed supplement of natural herbs to support his gut and overall health, and that was when his transformation from ‘track to hack’ really started to become something wonderful.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to bring on an off the tracker and unlock their full potential? Have someone knowledgeable in your corner — block out the unsolicited advice of everyone else and trust that person to give you the guidance to be successful and safe. I wouldn’t have been where I am with Bear without Steve Gladstone in my corner, and I’m so incredibly grateful that he continues to share his incredible knowledge and experience with me.

What are your goals with Bear going forward? Since I was five I have always wanted to ride at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. It has been 16 years in the making and I’m hoping to make that a reality with Bear in 2020. He has been the biggest challenge for me, but I now don’t want to share the experience of riding in the main arena for the first time on any other horse than Bear.

Would you do it all again? I don’t think I’d do anything else now!

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