SPILLERS Spill The Beans: Amy Harris on Retraining Racehorses
In our SPILLERS SPILL The Beans Series we get to interview a variety of our fabulous professional customers and find out more about them. We find out who inspired them to get serious about horses, what kit they can’t live without, and ask which is their favourite SPILLERS feed, of course!
In this episode, Amy Harris shares a few wise words in between retraining racehorses!
Please introduce yourself - who are you and what do you do?
Hi! I’m Amy Harris and I’m based in the south-west where I produce young horses, event and retrain racehorses.
How did you start with horses?
Mum bought a pony off the moor and it all started there and never stopped.
Who was your inspiration growing up?
Pippa Funnell and Alice Fox-Pitt were my idols.
What’s your lifetime horsey highlight?
Winning the Corinthian Cup at Gatcombe Festival of Eventing was fantastic. It is essentially the national amateur championships held at the same time as the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships.
And what’s challenged you the most working with horses?
Having to part with them after producing them. You build such a special relationship and it’s hard saying goodbye even when they go to fabulous homes.
If you could spotlight one special horse, who would it be and why?
Ivon, because although a very tricky, sharp and spooky character he has a heart of gold and gives his all for me. Well, most of the time.
If you have a horse free ultimate luxury/fun day – what would you be doing?
A lovely relaxing dog walk at the beach.
What’s the one piece of horse equipment you can’t live without?
My neckstrap!
What is your No1 top tip for managing your horses/yard?
Give the horses as much turnout as possible. It helps them stay happy horses.
What are your goals for next season?
Long term I want to compete at 5* level. For this season it to move all the horses up a level and get back to Intermediate after a year away from it.
Which horse in your yard do you think is a rising star we should look out for?
I Kann Do – aka Candy.
What’s your best piece of advice for up-and-coming riders?
Work hard. Ask lots of questions and don’t turn down any opportunities!
And finally, which SPILLERS feed is your favourite and why?
SPILLERS Conditioning Fibre – they all love it and they look fantastic on it without being fizzy which is so important with the horses I have.
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