ForumGarden

As were many others.

Have to say that when Paul Nicholl's fell out with Clive Smith and Clive removed Kauto Star from his yard In Ditcheat for a career In Dressage In 2012, I was appalled.

Who would have thought that the worlds greatest Steeple Chaser could be retrained In the finer points of dressage ? Given that Grade 1's tend to be the most difficult, highly strung creatures on earth. All I can say, Is a massive well done to Laura.

If just for one thing, that those of us who Idolised him so much, she has given us the opportunity to see him again. I'll be seeing him parade at Kempton Park on Boxing Day but this Is a massive bonus.... booking tickets, as we speak.

Kauto Star to perform at Olympia Horse Show | Horse and Country TV

This was the 2nd greatest Steeplechasing feat I have ever witnessed... Bear In mind, the rest of the runners were champion Grad 1 Steeple Chasers...

Or maybe I was right after all...



I didn't manage to get to London but I will still be seeing Kauts Boxing Day.

Many sites are awash with critisism following his performance at Olympia and I have to agree with his fans who found great sadness seeing him like this.

There's no mistaking the marvelous work Laura Collet has done with him but us Kauts devotee's noticed that the horse looked miserable. A far cry from the days of bucking and rearing up In the parade rings on race courses.

His entire demeanor Is a far cry from those steeple chasers upon retirement who go on to hunting. Denman as one example has a twinkle In his eye out hunting and loves every moment of It. It's Incredibly sad to see Kauts like this and I agree with the critics that owner Clive Smith, Is a fame junkie who wanted to preserve the stardom the horse earned him rather than let Kauts join Denman In retirement out hunting as trainer Paul Nicholl's begged him to do In 2012.

To go from this



To this

BBC Sport - Kauto Star switches from racing to dressage with Olympia trial

Kauts had the rest of life as a superstar celebrity on race courses where every adoring fan wanted to see him... Shame on you Clive Smith.