Liz Mackay and Islay
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A former police horse deemed unsuitable for duty has triumphed at a major international vaulting competition, thanks to the dedication of equine welfare charity the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and his new borrower.
Islay, a 17.3hh 12-year-old black gelding on loan to Liz Mackay from the Eagles Vaulting Group in Perthshire, England won a bronze medal for Great Britain at the FEI European Vaulting Championships, held in Kaposvar, Hungary.
Islay and his vaulter, 17 year old Victoria McLaren were competing in the Junior Female Individual CVI.
Liz Mackay stated, “We achieved so many personal bests that my head is still spinning!
Islay was an absolute star from beginning to end.
Islay arrived at ILPH Farm in Aboyne in 2002 from the Strathclyde Police Mounted Branch.
Islay did not fit well into the stress of police work. He found loud noises scary and would not stand still at football matches.
The Mounted Police Unit signed him over to International League for the Protection of Horses. It was there that Islay began an extensive rehabilitation program.
After a year he had progressed so well and had such an excellent temperament that we asked Liz if she would like to try him for vaulting.
The rest is history!”
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Re-written from news sources:
Simply Marvelous Horse World 