Agree 100% Darremi, how anyone can watch Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro's Gold medal winning tests from the summer and not be moved/awed, is beyond me! Every single one of those moves is a natural movement for the horse, the only difference is that the horse has been taught to do them on command.
Personally I think it great that the owner is giving KS a chance of a second career rather than have him standing in a field or box. What a first class plonker PN is for effectively thowing KS out of the stable - its not his horse
So why has Kauto gone to an aspiring Olympic level rider to be trained alongside long-time British manager and coach Yogi Breisner. Not for low level dressage that’s for sure. If it was low level dressage they had in mind Darremi I would agree with you 100% provided Kauto has not had any leg problems. However, as you know, even at the lowest level, they have to perform 10metre circles which, for horses with any history of leg/joint problems should be avoided as it places too much stress on the weak part of the leg. I haven’t heard it said but the fact that PN referred to the owner not listening to their advice and referring to Kauto's history implies that maybe there are some genuine concerns about his well being. In my opinion the best thing for Kauto would have been to have kept him at Ditcheat, in light work duties with other horses and occasional public appearances; basically doing what he loves with who he loves, where he loves.
Yogi said in his Sky Sports interview that Olympic level dressage is not on the agenda. The horse is too old to be able to get to the required standard in time.
Think about my question rather than what has been said or implied. "The 22-year-old Laura Collett is a decorated event rider at junior levels and aspiring Olympian for 2016, and she will work with the gelding alongside long-time British manager and coach Yogi Breisner."
From Racing Post this morning. Oh dear ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ KAUTO STAR'S owner Clive Smith on Wednesday launched an astonishing attack on champion trainer Paul Nicholls, saying he considered their lengthy association had broken down irretrievably. He said their relationship was already under severe strain following a confrontation at the stable's open day for owners in September. Speaking from New York, where he is on holiday, Smith gave a version of events that was immediately disputed by Nicholls on Wednesday night. Smith claimed Nicholls had been in a bad mood at the open day, when future plans for Kauto Star, who left the trainer's yard on Tuesday, were the subject of a heated discussion between the pair. "There was no reason for me to guess what that was about." "He came up to me with a tirade of foul language. He must have said six times that he wanted the horse out of the yard then, never mind this Tuesday. "What happened was the final straw." Nicholls was made aware of Smith's comments Wednesday night and said: "I strongly refute these allegations, but the last thing I want is to become involved in a war of words with Clive. I have wished him all the best and I have no further comment to make on the matter." Smith claimed the original plan for Kauto Star, agreed with the trainer at the end of October, was to move the five-time King George VI Chase winner from the trainer's yard at Ditcheat in Somerset after he had paraded on King George day at Kempton. "On October 31 I had a final meeting with Paul. Kauto was in light training but it was confirmed he should be retired, as I'd wanted , but would stay at the yard until after the King George. Then, a couple of weeks ago, when I was at Haydock to unveil Kauto's statue, Paul bowled a googly at me, saying it would be right if he could stay at the yard with Clifford Baker. "I'd already spoken to Yogi Breisner and he said it was no good having a top-class horse like this in a yard where he's a hack. I'm sure Clifford Baker would do a wonderful job and he'd be lovely for him but I always thought I was the owner. I didn't see him enough anyway because I'm 100 miles away. As the owner I'm entitled to some time with him." Smith stressed he was anxious to do what was best for the horse after an amazing eight-year career at Ditcheat in which his earnings spiralled to £2,375,000. "I don't want him to drift away when he has such ability and might take to dressage. He'd have a lovely time and be looked after terrifically well, just as he'd be at the Nicholls stable. "Last Saturday it was finally decided to go ahead with the plan for Laura Collett and Yogi to have the horse and I told Paul of my plan. He said okay. He said he'd heard of Laura and that she was very good and he suggested she should come down, have a sit on the horse and have a chat with Clifford about him. It sounded very pleasant. "On Monday at the King George lunch I was interviewed and mentioned the plan. As I left I said goodbye to Paul and all seemed fine. But yesterday [Tuesday] I was on the runway at Heathrow when he rang to say he was moving the horse." Smith will return home from the US at the weekend. "I'll then go down to see the horse on Sunday," he said. "As things stand, the plan remains for him to parade at Kempton." The owner also rekindled the difference of opinion over how to pronounce the horse's name. "To be honest, I was disappointed from early on that Paul didn't pronounce Kauto's name correctly," he said. "There was no excuse but he didn't back off." Smith's other star chaser, dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded, is recovering from injury. "He's with Tessa Woodhouse on a farm in Somerset," he said. "My next job is to sort out where he'll retire."
What an utter shambles. Thankfully Kauto Star the horse has a million times more dignity than these pair. Why cant people have an honest one to one these days? I just hope he has a safe and happy retirement.
How very sad. I always feel Nicholls is a volcano under the pleasant exterior. And he doesn't know the meaning of the word refute.....
I think that is spot on Oddy. I believe the word Dressage has steered people away from the actual intention. Of course Kauto will not be an Olympic Dressage horse, nor would he be an Olympic show jumper. Those specialist events are well outside his scope (at his age anyhow). But he hasn't been sent to a dressage rider has he; he's been sent to an eventer where the show jumping and dressage tests are far below the specialist events. As far as the event and show jumping go, he's probably more than half way there and potentially could kick arse in those spheres. So they want to see if they can bring his dressage up to the required level for the multi-disciplined event. If that is successful and he does well then once again he will be in the limelight and there wouldn't be a dry eye in the place if he were to go to the Olympics and do well. Or even one of the other prestige events prior to that (especially as the rider is currently a Junior). However, what if he doesn't make it? What if he hates the dressage training and Yogi makes the inevitable decision? Will the rider keep him? Will he be returned to Ditchet for Clifford to look after? Will it be a happy ending? All will be revealed in my book The Life of a Super Star - King Kauto, to be published in time for Christmas 2016.
Thanks Princess. My main worry is why Laura Collett? Where does he go from there if he doesn't make it to her level? Only time will tell but I hope it doesn't end in tears.
I believe she was chosen because she has experience with Thoroughbreds. She has ridden out for several trainers so understands how a racehorse thinks and behaves. Rehoming an ex-racer is not for everyone - I tried one a few years ago and knew he definitely wasn't for me, despite his amazing pedigree: by Dubai Millennium out of a close relation to Barathea!
I understand that Princess but what then? Is this a temporary home? He could have stayed with someone who adored him for the last 8 years but there is no chance of that now.
Firstly, he is Clive Smiths horse and quite rightly he can say what happens. However, if he was half the gentleman he tries to come across as, he would have taken into consideration the emotional attachment of everyone in the yard, especially Clifford Baker. It is he that will have spent the most time with the horse and if Clive Smith really wanted the horse to be closer to home he could have found a much lesser stable who would have been able to care for the horse just as well. It just smacks of I am the boss, you are not and also a longing to stay in the media. While Paul Nicholls may have over reacted, I can see why. I just feel the horse doesn't need to be retrained in a different discipline. He would have been great as a hack to help with work. The whole he is too talented to be a hack just doesn't sit right with me and is in stark contrast to what they are saying about 'low level' dressage. Why not leave him in a top stable in work against good horses.
I think the Nicholls team assumed Smith would just let them have Kauto Star as a kind of pet once his racing days were over. Obviously they are going to be a little disappointed that this isn't the case, but there is no need to air there frustrations in public, after all he isn't there horse. Although I personally don't have any interest in dressage, I can see why it would be a good career move for an active race horse that isn't getting any younger. It will keep him active , but at the same time won't be to tiring for him. It doesn't really matter if he's no good at it, there not trying to win Olympic gold with him. Clive Smith just wants him to enjoy himself, and I'm sure he will be well looked after at his new home
Laura Collett is certainly keeping him active. The view from atop Kauto Star during a hack this morning:
