A horse which has raced on some of Britain's top courses could take its Glossop owner to dressage glory.
Nicola Mellor, who lives in Simmondley, has high hopes for The Name’s Bond, a nine-year-old chestnut gelding with a hint of 007!
She has been appointed one of 11 nationwide brand ambassadors out of 650 entrants for well-known equine feed company Spillers.
It means that this year Nicola will be given coaching sessions from ex-race horse dressage specialist Lou Robson, as well as consultations from a Spillers’ nutritionist, £250 of Spillers feed vouchers and a collection of Spillers-branded riding kit.
The company will be charting and sharing their progress across social media channels and Nicola will also have the opportunity of becoming a guest blogger on the Spillers’ website.
Nicola’s aim this year is to compete at novice level British Dressage, achieve the scores to compete at the Petplan Area Festival regionals and then the Championships if all goes well.
She is currently working towards Elementary level at home.
Nicola, who bought The Name’s Bond from owner Guy Robertson, said: “Guy had originally planned to take him to Kentucky in America to compete in the Thoroughbred Makeover competition as a ranchhorse, after which he would have been sold.
“Owning an ex-racehorse has meant that I have taken my time re-training him and strengthening him so that he is able to learn about dressage which is totally different from racing.
“My dream is for the changes to become a reality so that I can move up the levels and see how far we can get.
“I firmly believe that having a happy horse is also the key to everything that I wish to achieve, so once a year or more, if I can, we go ‘cow cutting’ which is the most amazing thing for training a horse whilst giving him a job to do.
“Cow cutting is removing or sorting one or more cows from a herd, something that cattle farmers need to do.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Spillers Ambassador team.
“Never in a million years did I think that I would be chosen! Having the support of the Spillers’ nutritionist and mentor will be invaluable in achieving my goals this year, and I am really looking forward to getting started.”
Lou Robson added: “I am very much looking forward to working with Nicola and Bond and helping them achieve their goals for 2021.
“I am hoping to be able to give them some advice and tips on being able to dance with our ex-racers within the white boards.”
Nicola was one of 20 candidates shortlisted by Spillers for a place on the programme.
She won her place by producing a brief video explaining why she deserved the position and horse lovers on social media voted for their favourites.
All the ‘likes’ and ‘loves’ were counted as votes and taken into consideration when Spillers made the final decision on the winners.
Bond’s racing trainer was Richard Fahey and he raced with moderate success at Catterick, Hexam, Redcar, Ayre, Carlisle and Chelmsford.
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