A FAILED racehorse is heading west in search of a new career after being taken on by a Western riding instructor.

Trainer Emma Lonie who’s been riding for 24 years says it is the first time a race horse has been trained to take part in Western riding competitions.

But she is determined that by the end of the year Midnight Robbery will become an accomplished Western horse.

She is also hoping to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Yorkshire Air Ambulance through sponsorship.

Midnight Robbery, who is a four-year old gelding was to be fair a pretty hopeless racehorse, failing to gain even a third place in the ten races he competed in during his short career.

“The problem was he showed a lot of talent but just wasn’t in love with racing; he didn’t seem to like it. But he was a real favourite at the Bryan Smart yard at Sutton Bank, he has a lovely temperament and they wanted to find a new job for him. So we thought he would be a good candidate for this,” said Ms Lonie.

“As far as I know this has never been done before. It is a very different discipline for him, it’s based on the American-style of riding which originates from the working ranches and the cowboys. It’s still very popular over there and has made it’s way over here.

“It’s a bit like dressage but with loose reins, so the horses have to be fit. We compete at a top level, with the riders manoeuvring the horse in tight turns. It is very disciplined. Competitions are now starting to be held all over the country and it is becoming very popular, but there are very few trainers.

"I think I am the only one between Newark and Scotland.

“It is really exciting. Baileys Horse Feed has agreed to sponsor us and I aim to have him in a Western show by the end of this year,” she added.

Ms Lonie, who is based at Burrell, near Bedale, has been riding for 24 years, since she was four.

She says work is starting immediately on putting Midnight Robbery through his paces, in the hope he can steal a march on the competition in the Western riding world and finally start on a winning streak.