Kauto Star is back in the saddle
A historic Black Country saddle-making firm is working with a record-breaking racehorse to help prepare him for a new career in dressage.
Staff at Barnsby in Walsall have made a new saddle and equipment for two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, who is one of the most successful National Hunt horses in history and won the King George VI Chase a record five times.
Staff at the leather firm in Aldridge Road say they are excited to be working with the 12-year-old horse and his new trainer Laura Collett as they prepare for competitions in the upcoming months.
Staff made the Theoden dressage saddle following two trips to the 23-year-old event rider's stables in Wiltshire.
They returned again to fit the saddle, which cost almost £2,000.
Kauto Star, who officially retired from racing last October, was also fitted with a padded head bridle and an Informed Design Harmony D Ring Snaffle bit by the firm.
Barnsby spokeswoman Lisa Davis-Lindholm said: "We've worked with Laura since 2008. She was asked to ride Kauto Star in December by his owner, Clive Smith.
"We've got a long experience of working with ex-racehorses and a good reputation in making saddles.
"A lot of work went into it. We had to review his back shape and take the dimensions because the saddle has to be right for the horse and the rider.
"We saw him twice before the saddle was even manufactured. He's had the saddle three weeks now and he's doing really nicely in it."
She said Kauto Star is expected to compete in dressage events in the next couple of months, but exact details have not yet been confirmed.
Ms Davis-Lindholm added: "We are honoured to work with such an amazing racehorse. He's one of the top racehorses that has ever lived.
"You can tell that he has spent number of years on the track by his athletic shape.
"It's a huge change for him going into dressage. He has to start back on basics because his muscles are not used to it. He is taking to it and you can see the changes in his muscle growth.
"He's being exercised every day and Laura is probably training him an hour a day. We will work with Laura to ensure that the saddle is working correctly."
