Katie Stephens Racing

18/09/2022

Royal Plaza Appreciation post!!!!
This horse is one of the things I have got out of bed for for the last 4 years! I worshipped him as a racehorse and worship him now as my riding horse. He only came out of training at the start of July and has been learning his new job. He safely and successfully navigated his way through a Showjumping camp with Ella in August not bad for a rookie Showjumper. I am going to work on his flatwork through the Autumn /Winter as we build to making him the full package , he still has lots of years ahead of him in his new career I hope🤞🤞🤞

03/07/2022

So Ellas Eren aka Snippy has gone off to a new home, where her alternative career will be continuing. She has had much time and work invested in her by Beth Norrish Equine Chiropractic and all the foundations have been laid. End of an era for us as Snippy was the 3rd generation of this family that we have bred and was the only one we had left. All the best Snipaliscious. Do your best lady.

23/05/2022

Snippy - The Journey

So, the Snippy Journey continued over the weekend as we attended our first ( of many I hope) Showjumping camps at Bicton. Whilst I sat on this horse everyday when I was training her, I didn't sit on her until March this year after Beth Norrish had started the re-schooling process for me in January of this year for fear I would mess up all of Beth's hard work. Beth has done an amazing job and I quite simply wouldn't have had a suitable horse to take along with my friends if she hadn't prepared Snippy for me.

The mare finds much of daily life a challenge. Generally they are challenges of her own making, nevertheless they are not easy to deal with at times, but then what is? Anxiety, the prevalent modern day gastric ulcer issue and a host of other foibles do not make this journey a stroll in the park, but the effort and reward of what we achieved this weekend does make it worthwhile.

The video. To the untrained eye, probably looks like an ancient rider (me) trying to wear brave pants going steadily over poles that are a third of the size of a hurdle on the racecourse, but to the trained eye, this video shows, the horse working hard on balance in her canter, and me trying hard to stay light in my hand, encouraging her forward but in an even consistent rhythm all the way around the course. And I left the poles up!!!! This is most rewarding on a horse that I hadn't left the ground on at all until April this year.

16/05/2022

https://www.facebook.com/141714753952/posts/10160007980258953/

Gordon oversees work on our horses and it's great to acknowledge these achievements. We'll done Gordon.

🎉 Congratulations to BTRC’s Consultant Vet Gordon Sidlow West Ridge Equine. Last month Gordon was 1 of only 16 vets worldwide to be invited to the Fédération Equestre Internationale Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland to complete training and examinations to become a Level 4OV. This newly introduced level is now the highest awarded by the FEI and it is expected that these vets will oversee the safety and care of horses competing at the highest level of competitions. Although Gordon was a Treating Vet for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and regularly serves as an official FEI Veterinary Delegate in various international competitions, he remains dedicated to Thoroughbred Aftercare and always has the time to oversee the veterinary care of all the BTRC boys and girls. Our retired racehorses may not be worth the same as the high value competition horses but to Gordon and they are worth much more. ❤️🐎

[L-R: BTRC Duke, Gordon Sidlow and BTRC Peter Pan]

20/04/2022

Royal Plaza gave us an Easter Monday to remember, winning for his owners for a 3rd time and made our 7 hour trip to Fakenham racecourse a worthwhile one. A real gutsy front running performance doing what he does best, galloping and jumping his rivals into submission. A great ride executed by Bryan Carver. The hospitality and generosity shown by the racecourse was something many could learn from. Definite hats off to Directors and Management there. And what a lovely relaxed atmosphere there too.

Was pleased Ella got to lead up another winner for me. She is becoming the lucky mascot!!

16/04/2022

Snippy - The Journey

So it's been a while since I last posted. Followers will recall that at the turn of the year, I decided to put Snippy (Ella's Eren) on a journey to become a riding horse. I have had fantastic support and help from Beth Norrish Chiropractic, who has certainly done all the hard work and Ella has taken a hand too. The net result so far was me being able to take her to our first competition yesterday. It's fair to say we did not tackle the most challenging heights but it was all about her and me being brave enough to ride her. It's been a long long time since I rode in a competition and I might just have the bug for it again!!!

25/02/2022

Snippy Journey - so we are a further month on from the last post, and fair to say, there has been huge strides forward. Once again many thanks go to Beth of Beth Norrish Equine Chiropractic, for treatment and schooling of our lovely mare Snippy and to my daughter Ella who has been ridng her really well too. Today was a trip to Pontispool for her first crack at Arena xc jumps. Bold and brave and stopped at nothing. Great job Snippy and Ella.

https://youtu.be/cErDFmMHFEQ

25/02/2022

Snippy Journey - so we are a further month on from the last post, and fair to say, there has been huge strides forward. Once again many thanks go to Beth of Beth Norrish Equine Chiropractic, for treatment and schooling of our lovely mare Snippy and to my daughter Ella who has been ridng her really well too. Today was a trip to Pontispool for her first crack at Arena xc jumps. Bold and brave and stopped at nothing. Great job Snippy and Ella.

https://youtu.be/cErDFmMHFEQ

27/01/2022

Snippy - The Journey
So here we are, 17 days on from the last 'Snippy' Post. We have even got progress in the canter now and starting to have an acceptance of her rider sitting in the saddle for more than 4 strides and cantering circles and large in the arena. Beth Beth Norrish Equine Chiropractic doing a fabulous job of making my riding horse.😊

15/01/2022

Do you have a spare couple of mornings a week to come and ride a racehorse? I am looking for someone to ride out two or three mornings a week. This will only be one or two lots a day, so you really need to be local to me in SHALDON or it wont be worth your while.

Also looking for a Saturday rider. If there are any college people out there looking to gain experience in a small racing yard, this could be for you.

COMPETENT riders only need apply.

Would be a good opportunity for someone looking to get into horseracing as a career as it really has alot to offer and can be very rewarding.

Please PM me your details and briefly outline your experience, competence and availability.

10/01/2022

This makes me smile alot!😁😁 This is Snippy, the last horse I bred, racename; Ellas Eren. From a nice family, Those of you that know me well, will know this name combines my two daughters names. A good name of which I hope she warrants one day! Theres a champion hurdle winner in the family so hopefully shes not a forlorn hope! And even if she is, we are ensuring that she will be fit for another job. Beth Norrish of Beth Norrish Equine Chiropractic rides out for me as well as keeping them in one piece with her Chiropractic skills and she is doing a fantastic job with Snippy. This is just session 3 and this post will mark the start of the Ella's Eren facebook journey. Will keep you all updated with her progress along the way to the racecourse or the dressage arena, whichever comes first!!!

03/01/2022

Templier allowed us to end the year in style with a 15 length success over his rivals at Warwick in the 2m Hcap Chase. He got conditions he loves and used it all to good effect and given a great ride by James Best.

03/01/2022

Shortened version of the interview but a taste nonetheless of the sheer delight and buzz we as a family all got from Templier's win on New Years Eve. He certainly let us leave 2021 in great style.

11/12/2021

Thank goodness for a husband that can school for me! This nice young horse has been balloted out over hurdles several times due to the awful system we have here so it looks like we will probably running him over fences in the coming weeks. Looking good Kotsy😊

12/11/2021

I'm completely useless at taking plentiful pictures at the races, and this is the top of my effort! Templier put up a gutsy performance today to finish 2nd at 25/1 at Worcester. Once it finally starts raining again we will be hoping he bags another victory. Good ride by Nick Scholfield who rode a double on the day, and we very nearly made that a treble, nevermind.

05/11/2021

Immortalised! Love em!
Royal Plaza and Templier
Both given us some great days.

24/10/2021

Ella thought given she'd done the strimming around the fences and hurdles, that she'd give Rue a spin up over them. And act as a lead for one of the younger horses.

23/10/2021

I will make a grounds woman of her! Ella on the strimmer, getting ready for schooling!!!