RIP WP in Limbo

WP in Limbo was a talented and generous-hearted horse, who came over to England in 1998 from Australia to be campaigned by Alex's trainer, Clayton Fredericks. He placed in the top 25 three times at Badminton with Clayton and 10th at Blenheim. He was owned by the wonderful McAuley family from Hong Kong who have not only supported Clayton over many years, but also were responsible for suggesting that Alex go to the Fredericks during the summer holidays when Alex was 10...and started the chain reaction which took Alex to the Olympics 8 years later. In 2007 when Alex and his team was struggling to find the right horses to prepare for the Olympics, Clayton suggested that Alex take on WP in Limbo, as a school-master to get experience at the higher levels while the search for the 'perfect Olympic horse' continued.

It was not without trepidation that Alex's family took on WP in Limbo. Talented and experienced, he might be, but he was notoriously difficult in the dressage, due to a kissing spine, and Lucinda had found him hard to control cross country on his last outing. Alex however was not daunted. He worked tirelessly on his dressage with Clayton, working him gently and patiently to loosen him up. His first competition was at the Three-Star in the Festival of Eventing at Gatcombe, where they completed a pleasing dressage and showjumping but did not attempt the cross country. The next outing was a gentle canter around the intermediate course at Highclere, followed by the real deal in the two-star back at Gatcombe. Clayton was on his way to fly out to Italy for an FEI meeting. Clayton's car was on stand-by with the engine running as Alex and Limbo went cross-country. No one needed to have worried..in fact the two were so laid back that Limbo ran out at a log towards the end of the course. Neither horse or rider had really locked onto it. At least everyone was sure now that Alex would not be bolted with...although Clayton nearly missed his plane!

Next was Kreuth in Germany. This was a crucial event to get Alex his CCI** qualification that would allow him to compete in the CCI*** Olympic qualifiers. Alex set off with Limbo and his other school master, Murphy on a long trip to Germany. The trip over was covered by a Chinese TV documentary.  Alex and Limbo completed a copybook cross country round within the time, but sadly this was to be Limbo's last event. He had damamged his tendon.

Limbo was retired with Alex's first eventer Monkey to a field behind Stonehenge in 2008. The two became inseperable, often trying to graze on the same clump of grass. Sadly on 16th January Limbo developed colic and had to be put down. He will be sadly missed! More photos