A former police horse deemed ‘unsuitable for duty’ came 11th in the vaulting at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).
Couldn’t cope
Islay served in the police force for a short period, but didn’t cope well with the noisy environment. The 17.3hh hunter was then taken in by World Horse Welfare who rehabilitated him in order to find him a new home.
It was during his time there that Islay’s potential as a vaulting horse was spotted and the seven-year-old was rehomed with lunger Liz Mackay.
Severe injury
“I have been vaulting for 21 years and when I heard about Islay I thought he’d make the perfect horse for me to train with,” said Liz. “He was very difficult in the beginning as he could not stand still or go slowly. Initially he had several issues coping with stress and change.”
Now 19, Islay has been to several vaulting championships as part of team GBR. He nearly didn’t make it to WEG, however, when he severely injured himselfplaying with another horse in the field.
It took two years, extensive box rest and an operation for him to return to full health.
Miracle
“I really thought I would never get him back to full soundness and fitness,” said Liz. “However, miracles do happen, and I have my groom to thank for her determination and total dedication to his rehab when I was in total despair.”
Liz got the WEG call up after she heard the Canadian team had qualified but couldn’t take their own horse. Angelique and Jeanine van der Sluijs came to the UK to train on Islay for ten days prior to competing on him at Aachen. They then decided he was the horse they wanted to compete on in the Pas-de-deux at WEG.
Electricatmosphere
“The atmosphere was amazing and quite electric,” says Liz of her first Games experience. “It was a big stage and Islay and I had to work on trust and past experience of knowing each other – a partnership built up over the 12 years he has been with me.
“His Canadian vaulters had also built up a special relationship of trust with him and he had confidence in his whole team.”