10 things you may not know about Gemma Tattersall’s eventer, Arctic Soul aka “Spike”
- Born in Ireland he was bred by Michael Whitty.
- He started life as a racehorse but he didn’t win a thing. “He was rubbish” says Gemma.
- He was rescued off the meat truck in Ireland by Marti Rudd, a Performance horse dealer who bought him for 500 euros. Nicki Roncoroni purchased him for Philip Kerr who rode him for a number of years. Nikki produced him to 1* level and then Gemma was given the ride in 2012 when he was eight years old.
- His first event with Gemma was a novice at Tweseldown in 2012 which he won. He went from novice to 3* in a year.
- His favourite things are going cross-country and rolling. He absolutely loves water and will paw the ground to make a splash. He loves puddles and will find the muddiest wet puddle to roll in.
- He eats Gain horse feeds: freedom mix and freedom nuts, hay and haylage, plenty of grass.
- The last person who fell off him was Sarah (one of Team Tatts grooms) when he bucked her off.
- What he wished he knew at six years old- eg bucking in the dressage warm up is a waste of energy.
- His favourite event is Burghley according to Gemma.
- What he could not live without: Gemma, his best friend and his field mate Pamero 4
Gemma Tattersall and “Spike” are Ambassadors of Equine Charity, The Brooke and support their “EVERY HORSE REMEMBERED” campaign. www.thebrooke.org
