He may have hung up his horseshoes, but former international eventer Twinkle Bee is not yet ready for the carpet slippers. Instead, the grandfather of Anna Warnecke’s yard seems intent on growing old disgracefully – like so many high-profile horses who still rule the roost in retirement.
Known as “Trusty”, the 25-year-old gelding has a number of tricks to keep Anna and her groom Laurie Robinson on their toes.
“When he’s led out to the field, he will suddenly jump metres into the air,” explains Anna, whose tactic with the still-powerful OAP is to “hang on and hope for the best”.
“He does the same coming in; he flies in, as he knows he gets his dinner first.”
Trusty completed 10 seasons with Anna at top level, running at Badminton or Burghley – often both – for eight consecutive years and winning a European team bronze for Germany in 2005. From his viewpoint, he’s still a champion and Anna is keen to let him maintain this belief.
“He’s not ridden now but has all the same treatment,” she says. “He’s groomed and clipped, and made to feel happy. It was the way he was looked after in the competition years; everything revolved around him, and he is adamant that things should still be done in the same way.”
While his behaviour may not be deemed age-appropriate, Anna admits that it is nothing new.
“He always had very clear ideas about what was acceptable and he hated being told off,” she says. “He thrived on the atmosphere and he just loved the sport. He’s still pretty naughty.”
This story is from the October 08, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 08, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tanking over the Plain
The Royal Artillery are out in force for their closing meet a fun and fast day out on Salisbury Plain
Sweet dreams
Whether you're looking to smarten up an existing yard or build a new one from scratch, there's a growing range of kit to add comfort and quality, finds Stephanie Bateman
'I didn't think I'd win it from the front'
Jamie Wingove claims an unexpected grand prix victory and a super-versatile 15hh working hunter comes away crowned a showjumping champion
The pick of the picnics
Sport is the main part of an equestrian day out, but good food enhances it. Netia Walker finds out about picnics that will beat the burger van if it ever stops raining
To the bone
Are you searching for a complete guide to joint injections? The hunt is over. Thijs de Bont MRCVS demystifies their contents, application and use in pain and performance management
Deadlock
A deadly disease characterised by lockjaw, tetanus is fatal in the majority of cases. Karen Coumbe MRCVS explains how a vaccine protects your horse
Ready to roll
A lot goes into ensuring safe road travel for horses, be it training, vehicle safety or on-the-day measures. Kieran O’Brien MRCVS explains
Carl Hester's PA
Claudine Bichard on alleviating the enormous paperwork burden, working alongside Valegro and why you mustn’t tell Carl he’s lucky to have her
Robbie Llewellyn
Covid chicken sales and working on Hollywood blockbusters might be an unlikely route to National Hunt success, but Robbie Llewellyn is forging an entrepreneurial path. Gemma Redrup meets him
'No atmosphere was lost'
Ronnie Lee Jones on the importance of good sportsmanship