Racing's horse whisperer
Horse & Hound|January 18, 2024
Craig Witheford on being the first to ride champion racehorse Sea The Stars, and how he analyses equine behaviour to understand what makes a horse tick
Lucy Elder
Racing's horse whisperer

I started riding when I was nine and I was breaking in my first ponies by 10. Then, I had a bad accident, where a horse flipped over and broke both my front teeth and my nose. Mum said, "You're not doing this again!"

I actually didn't ride again until I was 16. But I loved horses, so I was up the yard every summer holiday and weekend possible. I would work on the ground, and I think that's where I did most of my learning, as I was just watching horses, their behaviour and the way they are in the paddock.

We had different types of problem horses coming to us all the time. I remember I was on study leave, supposed to be revising, when we had a horse in who was throwing all sorts of shapes. I said, "I want to ride that tomorrow." I loved it. I was originally signed up to do carpentry at college, but the minute I got off that horse, I decided that I wasn't going anywhere.

When I worked for my dad, Gary, we would do a lot of breakers. I was the first person to sit on Sea The Stars, which was a great honour. I've been the first person aboard maybe 6,000 horses, but the difference between him and any other yearling was unbelievable. All he wanted to do was please and he has such a phenomenal brain, the like of which I will probably never witness again.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 18, 2024-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 18, 2024-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HORSE & HOUNDAlle anzeigen
Turnbull has the last word
Horse & Hound

Turnbull has the last word

A speedy mare provides a \"surprise\" and Nicole Pavitt celebrates success with a home-bred who has made a miraculous comeback from a horrific field injury

time-read
1 min  |
March 13, 2025
'While other industries struggle, showjumping is growing'
Horse & Hound

'While other industries struggle, showjumping is growing'

Jodie Hall McAteer on making a living out of horses and the vetting debate

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
How do horses learn?
Horse & Hound

How do horses learn?

Horses know how they learn - we can help them best if we also understand it. Gemma Pearson FRCVS explains the first two levels of learning theory

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
Victorious debut for O'Connor
Horse & Hound

Victorious debut for O'Connor

An Irish student scores on her first outing, while an older pointer makes a winning return following injury and a promising maiden makes his first run a winning one

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
A magical mystery tour
Horse & Hound

A magical mystery tour

One of the many thrills of hunting is discovering new and beautiful places off the beaten track, and Tessa Waugh enjoys just such a day with the Percy only a stone’s throw from home

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
Taylor's future stars deliver
Horse & Hound

Taylor's future stars deliver

Young horses, an Olympic gold medallist and a comeback grey score in the sunshine

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
Horse meat and disease risks if ID is not updated
Horse & Hound

Horse meat and disease risks if ID is not updated

The Government has been told in no uncertain terms why a digital equine ID system is crucial

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
Event horse owner
Horse & Hound

Event horse owner

Alex Wakeley, chairman of the Event Horse Owners Association, on his lucky first horse, giving back to the sport and his passion for seeing \"horses and riders\" smiling

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
Flying the flag for the life-changing power of horses
Horse & Hound

Flying the flag for the life-changing power of horses

A 10-year-old shared his story to help others realise just how important a contribution horses make to society

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025
Holly and Rosie Smith
Horse & Hound

Holly and Rosie Smith

Olympic showjumper Holly Smith and her daughter Rosie, who clinched gold at last year's children's Euros, tell Jennifer Donald about their journey of gritty success, a remarkable stallion and hopes for 2025

time-read
7 Minuten  |
March 13, 2025