13 year old Irish Draught Gelding Randal from Lockerbie has been shortlisted for ‘Best Boy’ in the British Horse Society Photo Competition and he needs your votes.
Anne- Marie Shankly who owns Randal told DGWGO “Randal was retired from riding due to health issues, several months after winning Combined Hunter Championship at Moniaive Horse Show in 2016.
Since then he has dabbled in agility and trick training and when this got too much for him he became my model for my photography hobby. This hobby led to Randal doing very well in online horse showing in which he has won several championships.
Randal’s character shines through when he is modelling for me. He is funny, affectionate and loves the limelight. He is popular at his yard and in many other groups. Randal misses showing. He was a star in the show ring and loved to show off and now he shows off for me and my camera. Randal recently won the Scottish final for Best Boy in the British Horse Society Photo Competition and voting is now ongoing for the UK Championship.
It would mean the world to me if Randal won this. He is unable to go to normal shows now due to his health issues. Some days you are unable to tell there is anything wrong with him and then he has his bad days – I just wouldn’t put him through that anymore. Online showing and photo competitions are something we can do at home and we can have fun doing together.
I would like to think that Randal is an ambassador for non-ridden horses in that he proves there is life after being ridden. I have a house full of rosettes and sashes most of which Randal has won after he retired. So many poor horses are cast aside because they are unable to be ridden.
When Randal came to me it was a commitment for life and he is my world. I just wish that more people thought like this. I would love for the community to support Randal in the British Horse Society Competition and help make Randal the UK non-ridden Best Boy champion.
To vote for Randal please click HERE and like Randal’s photo. Thank you. Voting ends on 9 September 2020 10.00 am.
