Kylie Roddy was thrilled to find herself in third place aboard SRS Kan Do (aka George) at the lunch break today (8 May) after making a number of changes to the horse’s preparation for this year’s Mars Badminton Horse Trials.
The pair has failed to complete on their two previous appearances here, which is what prompted Kylie’s new approach.
“I don’t think it’s anything to do with Badminton or George but he’s always been an autumn campaigner,” explained Kylie, who has twice finished in the top 10 with George at Pau as well as occupying sixth place at Luhmuhlen.
“His best results have always been in the autumn, so I didn’t give him long off this winter and I kept him in work to see whether it’s like a body conditioning type of thing rather than a seasonal thing.
“We’ve changed a few things at home and it’s made him a bit stronger,” continued Kylie.
“I’ve got these raised sleepers and he does 100 of them a day so that he’s worked smarter, not harder, hopefully for all the right reasons.”
Thespian connections
George is owned by actor Michael Fox, who played footman Andrew Parker in Downton Abbey, and is now 15. He has been ridden by Kylie since 2015.
“The sleepers get him to hold himself through his back, because he’s actually naturally a weak horse in the back,” explained Kylie.
“It’s about engaging his core, about lifting himself, making sure he’s got the mobility in the joints because as they get older you don’t necessarily want to put miles on the legs but you want to make sure that the exercises they do are relevant to the strength that that individual horse needs.”
Kylie also decided to tweak George’s schedule this year.
“I didn’t run him too close to Badminton, because in the spring you’re always trying to get runs in but he actually runs a bit better [when he’s] fresher, so he last ran at Thoresby [in March].
“I went to Kelso, but I didn’t run cross-country, so I try to do what I do in the autumn, even though we’re in the spring. I just believe in that’s what makes George amazing.”
Health kick for horse welfare
George is not the only one to undergo some changes. Kylie has also changed her diet and increased her exercise regime.
“I decided to be very miserable and eat [fewer] calories from the 14th of November and then in March when I went to Poplar [Park Horse Trials] I could then start upping my calorie intake,” said Kylie.
“I’ve been a miserable but smiley person inside. It’s all for the greater good and George finds the whole job a bit easier.
“I’ve been going to the gym doing a lot of strength and conditioning after I lost a lot of weight. It’s all for the welfare of the horse.
“Their job’s got to be easier and that’s the best thing for the horse so that’s what we try to do.”
Main image by Tim Wilkinson
