New Zealand eventer Monica Spencer has enjoyed competing at the pinnacle of the equestrian world this year, and she has done it all on the back of a New Zealand off the track thoroughbred.
Spencer and her 13-year-old thoroughbred, Artist, have developed into a formidable partnership, with their journey beginning nearly a decade ago following his retirement from the track.
Bred by Cambridge thoroughbred nursery Windsor Park Stud, Artist is by their former resident stallion Guillotine and out of Group Two winner Maxamore.
Maxamore proved to be a handy broodmare for Windsor Park, with the half-sister to Group One performer Maxam having produced Group Three winner Golden Parachute and is the second dam of Group One performer Wild Night and Group Two winner Play That Song.
However, Artist was not one of her success stories on the track, retiring unnamed after finishing unplaced in two trials as a three-year-old for trainer Chris McNab.
While he didn’t make it as a racehorse, a career change would prove fruitful for the gelding and he began his journey to eventing through EventStars, New Zealand’s largest thoroughbred rehoming operation.
“He (Artist) was sold by EventStars, which is run by Gina Schick, who owns Windsor Park with her husband Rodney,” Spencer said.
“I bought him off Polly MacDonald, who had had him for six months or so, as a four-year-old and we have been together for nine years now.
“I bought him specifically for eventing. He had all the movement and the speed and he was a nice type of horse. My hopes for him when I bought him was that he would become a top-level eventer, and he has.”
2024 has been a year to remember for Spencer and Artist, with the pair earning their place as travelling reserve for the New Zealand Olympic Eventing Team in Paris, and a fortnight ago competed at their first Burghley Horse Trials where they finished 11th.
Spencer believes off the track thoroughbreds are ideal for eventing and are a cost-effective entry point into the sport.
“I have found them incredible to work with,” she said. “They are very trainable, and they have always got that ‘I want to learn’ attitude. They are real triers in my experience and they love to please. They are a great breed.
“In my sport, it is incredible to be able to have a horse with that kind of speed and endurance for the cross country. Galloping up and down hills doesn’t take as much out of them as it does with the warmbloods.
“If you are training under someone that is experienced with producing horses, then they (thoroughbreds) are a great option for someone who can’t afford to buy a warmblood.”