Flemington

24 EQUINE WELFARE “Her Majesty made the decision to retire him after his third win at Royal Windsor so that he could go out in top competition form.” Although he no longer competes, Barbers Shop fans still get to see him at Retraining of Racing Parade Days although these outings have been reduced in pandemic times, much to the dismay of Barbers Shop himself. “He loves a day out,” laughs Katie. “If I loaded up and took him out to a competition tomorrow, he would be as happy as Larry. But he really has no need to prove himself anymore.” In 2020 the Royal Windsor Horse Show, like so many others around the world, was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. In its place, an online version of the Royal Windsor Horse Show competition took place and the Queen had to settle for third place when the virtual Ridden Class was won by an Off The Track thoroughbred on the other side of the world. “It was quite surreal just to be competing against the Queen at Royal Windsor, let alone winning,” said Melissa Molloy whose Australian Off The Track thoroughbred Relmsparc Foxtrot took the honours. The Royal Windsor Horse Show was back in real life again in 2021 and once again Her Majesty the Queen was in the winner’s circle. Katie Jerram-Hunnable holds The Queen’s horse, Barbers Shop, at Windsor Castle, Berkshire ahead of his retirement ceremony at the 75th Royal Windsor Horse Show (Image Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)