Transformed Jabulani races to new award

She had to re-think her plans for competing with her ex-racehorse, Jabulani, but despite the setback they still finished the year on winning form.

Sharon, from Barnsley, was delighted to receive a top award with Jabulani for the second year running.

At the British Breeding Breeders' awards dinner, Sharon won the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Combined Disciplines Performance Award with the 10-year-old.

During his career, Jabulani raced 13 times and had a win at Wolverhampton in 2002. Sharon bought him in May, 2004 at Doncaster Bloodstock Sales but shortly after this, he fell in the field at home and injured his leg, needing six months of box rest.

Once he had recovered, they went on to compete successfully and did quite a lot of show-jumping.

Following her car accident, Sharon decided to concentrate on showing and small jumping classes where the pair accumulated a high number of points, which meant they won the performance award for the second year running.

The awards are open to all ex-racehorse that compete in any of six disciplines – affiliated dressage; show-jumping; eventing; showing; endurance or the unaffiliated combined disciplines section. Riders accumulate points throughout the season.

This year, Sharon plans to continue competing Jabulani and also to start competing with another ex-racehorse that she owns.

MANY hunts in Yorkshire have not been able to meet since before Christmas because of the snowy conditions. They were hoping to be back in action this week where at all possible.

Andrew Osborne, master and huntsman of the Bedale, said they were planning to meet today at his home.

"We haven't been hunting on horses for a month, so it could be quite an exciting time for everyone," said Andrew, anticipating some lively behaviour from horses much in need of exercise.

"We have been taking the horses to Catterick, where they have an indoor arena and also to Richmond Equestrian Centre, to try and keep them from getting cabin fever.

"We have 11 horses at kennels so we have been doing it in shifts and also exercising them in the snow a bit when we could."

However, they have not missed a day's exercise with the 120 hounds and on hunting days they have been trail hunting on foot.

"It makes you realise how much work the horses do," said Andrew. "Trying to run after a pack of hounds certainly worked off the Christmas excess."

HOW would you like to be a commentator at the Horse of the Year Show?

The team behind HOYS and the British Open Show Jumping Championships are looking for a new voice in commentating and are running a competition for those who feel they have the voice and the personality to make it to the commentary box.

The Grandstand Group is taking entries until February 3 and the final of the competition will be held at British Open in April.

The winner will join the HOYS 2010 commentary team at the famous horse show in October.

For details of how to enter go to www.hoys.co.uk or www.britishopenshowjumping.com.