For over a decade, accomplished rider Vicki Bentley has taken on a ‘project standardbred’ to keep herself ticking along in the saddle whilst her competition horse enjoys a break over summer.
“I love the standardbred temperament and giving them a good start under saddle, ready for whatever their new owner has in store”, says Vicki.
Last year, Vicki took in beautiful six-year-old ex-pacer Boston, aka Niknbec Shadow, as her newest retraining project.
Little did she know at the time, but fate took the reins and Boston, who is described as ‘the sweetest horse to handle and work with’, found himself a forever home in Vicki’s paddocks.
“Boston’s work ethic is amazing. He is usually very sensible, never says no and is quite athletic”, Vicki explains.
“As a project pony, I advertised him on and off over our time together. Given Boston is a little sharper to ride than the average standy, with a very impressive, huge trot, he requires a specific rider to ensure he continues to develop into an amazing and very competitive performance horse.
“Fortunately for me, a suitable new home didn’t materialise and so I’ve had some awesome weekends away with the little guy.
“For a young, green horse, Boston is fantastic to take away. He travels well, eats and drinks and is not fazed by new locations, which makes him a pleasure to work with”.
In their first year as a partnership, Boston and Vicki have achieved some remarkable feats.
“Boston is the current SPPHAV State Champion Open Dressage, 60cm Combined Training and Champagne Series winner from earlier this year. We’ve also been out competing in Pony Club horse trials and combined training with excellent results and competing at Level 3 HRCAV dressage and 3PE (working equitation).
“Boston and I trained hard for the HRCAV TTT 3PE event held at Elmore at the end of August. Our hard work paid off, with a fantastic win in Level 3! I couldn’t be prouder of the little guy and it was just lovely to be approached by spectators after our Style run with comments about how beautiful the round was!
“Equally as pleasing was Boston’s credible seventh placing at TTT Dressage in a very strong Level 3 section, competing against some experienced, quality horses”.
With much early success under their belt, Vicki and Boston are looking forward to continuing to prove the versatility of the standardbred by ‘having more fun with horse trials into summer’, with TTT Horse Trials in May firmly set in their sights.
Having worked with many standardbreds over the years, and with a burgeoning competition career with Boston already well underway, Vicki is quick to sing the praises of the standardbred.
“A standardbred may not be everyone’s first choice as a performance horse, but I would encourage everyone to give them a go”, Vicki says.
“No horse is perfect, so having to spend a bit more time training and developing the canter isn’t the end of the world.
“I have a hardy, fun, happy, goofy, low-maintenance horse that I really enjoy riding. Still in his first year under saddle, Boston is holding his own in open competition; what more could anyone ask for?!”
