AP MCoy is taking a crash course in dressage with Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester.
‘Deep end’
The former jockey will demonstrate his new skills in a master class with the dressage giants at Cheltenham Countryside Race Day – just one month away.
“I’m afraid we are going to throw him in at the deep end,” Carl told the Countryside Alliance. “We are going to have to entertain people for 15 minutes so he will be trying to do some very advanced moves.”
Carl has high hopes for AP, who he describes as a an “incredible athlete” and is looking forward to seeing how the 20-time champion jockey copes riding “really, really slowly”.
‘Can’t dance’
According to AP he was talked into tthe challenge by eventing world class performance manager Yogi Breisner. Although he is happy to help raise money for British Olympic team and the Countryside Alliance he is less happy about the job in hand.
“Dressage takes a lot of patience and I’m not overly patient,” he said. “I like things to happen quickly. I don’t think I have the talent, patience or skills for this. I just hope I will not embarrass myself too much.
“I can’t dance myself, so I’m not rating my chances of making a horse dance!”
Well trained
Like those novice dancers on Strictly, AP will be in the very best hands as Carl plans on putting him on one of his international Grand Prix horses.
“The horses are very well trained,” said Carl. “As long as you put your legs in the right place they will do something. Exactly what that will be, remains to be seen!”
Top-class racing
The master class will start with Charlotte riding the horse (always a good idea to have an Olympic, European and World champion warm your horse up…) AP will then climb on board and Charlotte and Carl will give him a lesson.
In addition to AP’s dressage lesson Cheltenham Countryside Day (13 November) of the will feature a hunt parade, top-class racing, Christmas shopping and music from the Chip Shop Boys – all in aid of the Countryside Alliance and Equestrian Team GBR.