Confusion over rules on shod horses in showing classes

The owner of a former racehorse said she cannot understand the need to shoe all-round for ridden showing

- By LUCY ELDER

THE requirement for thoroughbreds to wear shoes in some showing classes is being debated as riders ask – why?

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) requires horses to be shod all-round in its ridden showing classes. But horses can compete without shoes in other RoR disciplines and in-hand showing.

Hannah Oldham told H&H she is a big supporter of promoting former racehorses and their versatility, but finds this rule “really frustrating”.

“I have a lovely ex-racehorse, the epitome of a brilliant retrained racehorse,” she said, of Django Django, 12, formerly trained by Jonjo O’Neill.

“We have done eventing, dressage, showjumping – he does pretty much everything – and he has really embraced family life.”

She added that the gelding has excellent feet and wears only front shoes to enjoy all those activities in summer, and is barefoot in winter.