Katie Jerram bids farewell to two showing stars
Leading show rider and producer Katie Jerram has lost two of her star hunters.
Grey veterans Mr Wrinkles (“Wrinky”) and Mountain Road (“Monty”) were put down last month (19 October) following complications due to old age.
H&H columnist Katie had owned Wrinky since he was five years old and she had produced Monty from the same age.
Wrinky was in his late teens when he died and Monty was 22.
“It was a very sad day, but the pair of them had a wonderful life,” Katie told H&H.
“Wrinky had a long career in the worker ring. He competed at Horse of the Year Show every year and was placed but never won — he was very consistent.
“He was the comfiest pair of slippers you could have put on. He had a fantastic innings.
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“I used to jump him into the school — he would never say no to anything. He was the nicest, happiest horse you could have owned.”
Wrinky was sore in front so stopped jumping four years ago. He also had a collagen inefficiency that Katie had managed throughout his life.
He was on antibiotics for the last two years and had started lying down more frequently.
“I said enough was enough — he was uncomfortable and you have to realise the time has come,” Katie said.
Monty was owned and ridden by Ann McCarthy.
“He was a true gent and his best friend was Ann,” said Katie. “He had a very successful career and won at the Royal International as an amateur horse.”
Monty retired from the show ring when he was nine. He had OCD in his hocks and became very stiff towards the end of his life.
Katie has been inspired to start working hunter classes again in memory of Wrinky and Monty.
“I’ve just got two lovely young ones — Lighweight Gortglas Rinarinca (“Ringo”) and Ballycreen His Lordship (“Lordie”).
“I jumped for the first time since jumping Mr Wrinkles and they were just lovely.”
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.