Posted: 3rd March 2014 | Back to news feed
After an incredibly successful racing career Neptune Collonges has transferred his winning ways into a different discipline and is now treading the boards in the world of dressage.
Known at home as “Nipper”, he was retired straight after his incredible Grand National win to his owner John Hales’ yard in Shropshire.
John’s daughter Lisa is now competing the talented 12-year-old who remains in excellent condition.
Here Jonathan Nelson of Protexin catches up with Lisa to find out more about Nipper’s progress in his new career.
JN: Tell us a bit more about Nipper.
LH: Nipper is just a star and we like to believe he is infamous in the racing world for his many race victories and £1.3m in winnings, including the 2012 Aintree Grand National. Since then he has been based with us at Shaw Farm Stud in Shropshire learning his new trade in dressage with a little show jumping, my favourite discipline.
Nipper is an easy ride with a great temperament despite his chasing ability and he has made a remarkable transition since he has been back at home. He has been entered this year for three unaffiliated dressage competitions with me in the saddle, of which he has won two and was second in the third. We have tried show jumping but his jump is too exuberant as he wants to jump every fence like it is a chase fence and at 12 I don’t think we will school that out of him!
JN: Has it been difficult retraining Nipper to dressage?
LH: During his careerNipper was also third to Denman and Kauto Star in what was possibly the strongest Cheltenham Gold Cup ever run; so it is even more impressive that he does have other gears!
The most difficult transition has been developing his gait in canter. Racehorses tend not to sit back on their hocks as their movement is more forward pulling themselves along by comparison, so we have had to work hard on this.
JN: How has Nipper’s management changed since he has been back at home?
LH: Shaw Farm Stud is a more relaxed environment than a full-on race yard that he was in when racing.
He is easy to handle in and around his box, but you have to respect his space. He’s ridden and hacked normally, goes on the walker with the others and is equally happy to be ridden in the school. He owes the yard nothing, has nothing to prove and deserves a little relaxation and TLC in his retirement.
JN: Has Protexin helped in his retirement?
LH: The Acid Ease, Gut Balancer and Quick Fix are all used as part of our management of different horses here at Shaw Farm Stud. They are all excellent products that do “exactly what they say on the tin” so to speak. Horses coming back from intensive training can be anxious and uptight following the change of environment, training and feeding. Nipper is certainly very settled and is less stressed when he is on Protexin and we have peace of mind that his gut is as optimised as it can be.
The Protexin Equine Premium Range comprises of five products; Gut Balancer, Acid Ease, Quick Fix, Recover Aid and Gut Bind.
For more information please contact Protexin on 01460 243230 or visit www.equinepremium.com.
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