Catch Me Not – horse wins prize at World Cup Last aged 18

Leaping in a Longines FEI World Cup Last requires horses to be on the absolute peak of their powers, in prime athletic situation. The winner of this yr’s renewal in Saudi Arabia (16–20 April), King Edward, is 14 years previous; the runner-up Dubai Du Cedre 11. The common age of the top-16 within the closing standings is 12 – which makes the achievement of the third-placed horse, Catch Me Not S, all of the extra outstanding.

Peder Fredricson’s 18-year-old completed second in each the pace and the jump-off courses on the finals main as much as the decider, the place he lowered one pole in spherical one to slide to 3rd general.

“Charlie”, as they name him at residence, was the oldest horse within the competitors by some two years, and whereas most of his friends have lengthy been consigned to the retirement paddocks, the gray continues to indicate large zest for leaping these colossal programs. A lot of his youthful rivals regarded weary by the top of 5 rounds of 1.60m fences, however Charlie regarded as contemporary as on day one. Peder believes the veteran, by Cardento x Ramiro’s Son, is “higher than ever”.

“He can’t depend how previous he’s and I don’t inform him,” smiled Peder after the pace class. “However after all it’s a special factor if they’re 11 or 12, or 18. I make certain I transfer him round rather a lot however nonetheless retaining him contemporary. I lunged him within the morning, then double lunged [with two reins] him at lunch. I don’t do a lot, simply maintain the muscular tissues supple as a result of I don’t wish to tire him.

“I do all of it myself, as a result of at these reveals it’s actually essential for me to see the horse, know the horse, see no matter you are able to do to make him really feel good.

“Earlier than the category, I don’t leap a lot, possibly 4 jumps to avoid wasting him and maintain him contemporary.”

Peder additionally opted to not take him into a number of the prize-givings: “He’s a really blood horse, he doesn’t like to face nonetheless and he will get excited. It’s a protracted week and I wish to save him from an excessive amount of pleasure. Tomorrow [a rest day] I’ll simply stroll him round, possibly lunge, however I gained’t journey him.”

How Catch Me Not spends his downtime

Again residence in Sweden, Peder makes certain Charlie is given the absolute best likelihood of recovering from his exertions.

“After they become older, they want an extended break after reveals, so I simply go away him fully alone,” he stated. “For one week, he simply goes out within the area with a pal, resting. I at all times give him a protracted break after a present, after which slowly I begin to work him.

“At his age, I don’t want to show him new issues, it’s the identical with people and horses. After they become older, they’ve the health, so I don’t have to get him match, however I would like to coach him to remain explosive, as a result of the muscular tissues get a bit slower. It’s the identical with me, I used to go to the gymnasium and raise weights, however now I prepare jumps to maintain my physique fast and explosive. Him additionally, I principally leap a variety of small grids, bounces, nothing excessive – to maintain him versatile and explosive. Not arduous work, very mild, to maintain the physique contemporary and fast.”

Catch Me Not was spring-heeled all week, as contemporary as a horse half his age. And there are different benefits of using a veteran who continues to be feeling within the prime of life.

“For a World Cup Last, it’s actually helpful to have an skilled horse and we all know one another so nicely,” stated Peder.

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Martha is an skilled journalist who’s mad-keen on canines of all styles and sizes. After rising up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she loved 14 years with two rescue canines, one a avenue canine from Gambia who was deserted at three weeks previous. Now, her fixed companion, whether or not by her toes at her desk or strolling cross-country programs, is Fidget, an especially energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on subjects as numerous as a prime horse’s clone to the most effective GPS trackers for canines, in addition to equestrian and rural issues for Nation Life, The Discipline, The Occasions, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.