Horse's Tale - Feldale Mouse with Isabel English

This article is from the August 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

SYNOPSIS

Stable name: Mouse
Height: 15.3hh
Age: 18
Breeding: Connemara x TB
Owner: Nick and Sarah English
Rider: Isabel English

Top five results:
• Badminton CCI5-L completion 2019
• Part of the bronze medal Nations Cup Team Aachen 2019
• 4th in the CCI4-L at Strzegom 2018
• 14th in the CICO3-NC at Aachen 2017
•12th in the CCI5-L at Adelaide 2015

How did Mouse come into your life? We were looking for my next pony when a friend Felicity Cribb said she had a ‘sweet’ pony for sale!

Did you always have international dreams with him? Definitely not as far stretched as what Mouse has done!

Why the name Mouse? I think when he was born he was so little and grey he looked more like a little Mouse rather than a horse.

What were those first few years with him like? Interesting! He was definitely not as sweet as he looked. I think I fell off routinely at least once a week for at least a year. Eventually, my sister and Kevin McNab had to ride him for six months because Mouse has figured I was an easy target.

Fast forward and you and Mouse have now been around tracks such as Badminton and Pau. How has Mouse developed since your international move? He has definitely become more of a pet. I think he is more spoilt than ever - but he is the most loyal friend who has taken me places I always dreamed of.

What have been the biggest challenges? He was really naughty at the start - I don’t think without the help of Kevin McNab competing him for six months he would have been half the horse he turned out to be!

What is his most annoying habit or quirk? He is really quirky about having rugs on in the field - he loves to be in the nude but it’s not practical on this side of the world!

Strongest personality trait? He’s sharp.

Preferred work environment? Anywhere but the arena.

Work ethic? Past the initial girth tightening, he has a wonderful work ethic.

Weekly training regime? It varies but I try to do lots of slow work with him up and down hills to keep his fitness, but with low stress on his legs. The water treadmill has also been a wonderful addition to his work regime.

What has he taught you as a rider? Patience and empathy!

Does he have a best friend? I would like to think me but he is pretty versatile - he always manages to find friends wherever we have ended up.

What is the first thing on your shopping list for him? Black liquorice.

When was the last time he made you cry? He bit me a week out from Burghley when I was tacking him up — he drew blood and tears!

Most treasured moment together? Finishing Badminton cross country. It was so special also because my mum, Tony Manca and some very special friends had made the trek over from Australia.

What celebrity does he remind you of? Brad Pitt.

What are your plans with him for the next 12 months? Time will tell — we are waiting to see what will happen with the competitions. They need to hurry on, poor Mouse isn’t getting younger!

Three things we don’t know about Mouse?
1. He hates wearing rugs in the field.
2. Loves black liquorice.
3. He will 90% of the time, spook or stop if you try to jump a rail on the ground.

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