MR BROCK, former star handicapper in South Africa, Mauritius, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has taken up a new career as a showjumper.

The now nine-year-old gelding is based at Summerveld with Errin Dempsey, who has already enjoyed much success with another former Mike de Kock runner, Equal Image.

A proud Mr Brock takes a jump for his new owner, Errin Dempsey.

Errin tells: “After his years of racing in Dubai, Mr Brock’s owner Serge Seenyen wanted him to retire back here in South Africa, so Mike and Diane de Kock offered him to me. At the time he was already in quarantine in South Africa.

“Mr Brock came to me in June last year and it took us a little bit of time getting him back into things as he had enjoyed a long holiday. But in his short time with us he has fitted into our family along with Equal Image.

“Mr Brock has a lovely big jump he is currently 80cm and learning his new job well, he loves Jumping but if he touches a pole I really have to hang on tight. He gets very cross, kicking out and groaning and rocketing off, luckily he doesn’t do that often!

“At the end of 2012 he competed in the KZN Showing Champs in the Novice class as that is where you have to start. He was place 1st, 2nd and a3rd in each of his classes, which is really good considering he was only four months out of quarantine.

“Then a month later, in January 2013 he contested our KZN Dressage Champs. He was placed in all his classes with great percentages getting 67%, 68% and a 69%.

“Mr Brock is super brave and I am really enjoying him. He is a fast learner and tries hard no matter what new obstacle you face him with. He is very sensitive, though, so I have to ask nicely otherwise he gets upset with me. He is very different to Equal Image that way, but will hopefully follow in his footsteps.

“He is very clever, too. He knows when the fences are not working and just goes straight through them. I found him a couple of times wandering through my mom’s garden, and after he has worked he won’t go back to his stable with my grooms until he has had a sweet or carrots or cubes. And if you are taking too long to do anything you will get a little nip from him to hurry you up!

“He has been entered for Eventing competitions this year and we’re hoping he will love it. I will send a report on how he goes. I just want to say thank you once again to Serge, Mike and Di for giving me the opportunity to have Mr Brock and giving him a loving home, and being able to enjoy him in his new adventures.”

Mr Brock, by Fort Wood from Cape Badger, raced 35 times for 8 wins and 11 places, earning the career equivalent of about ZAR3,9 million. He is one of only a few horses to have competed in the UAE in four different Carnival seasons, between 2009 and 2012, winning three times in Dubai and once in Abu Dhabi when he ran on gamely to win the 2009 Listed Abu Dhabi Championship over 2200m in the hands of Kevin Shea.

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