Equestrian Life October 2017

interview
RIDER INTERVIEW
KATIE AIMS
HIGH IN THE
SPORT OF
EVENTING
Malton-based event rider Katie
Stephens-Grandy is busy
producing top quality young
horses for her chosen sport.
Here she tells us about her progress and how
fit and well her horses look thanks to their
TopSpec feed regimes.
Katie is from a farming family based on the
Wolds, where she breeds and produces her
own event horses and buys in very green
three and four-year olds.
Aiming to enjoy the world of eventing, she is
busy focusing on producing talented young
horses up to novice level. For 23 years she
has been trained by well-known rider and
coach, Chris McGrann and admits she is very
much engrossed in his classical training
beliefs.
Katie first started using TopSpec after facing
problems with her horse Trendy Magic
Touch, known as Smurf in the stable. He first
came to Katie as a very green, nervous and
easily spooked four-year-old.
But thanks to help, support and patience
with Chris and Katie working together to
give him confidence progress was made
with Smurf showing some good form at
BE90 and 100 level which qualified him for
the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at this year’s
Badminton Horse Trials.
Despite all the success Smurf was affected
by the hectic workload, becoming worried
and stressed which resulted in a number of
feeding issues.
Said Katie: “Fortunately I asked for advice
from TopSpec Equine Advisor, Nicola
Shuttleworth who was just fantastic.
Trendy Magic Touch,
competing at Shelford
Manor, ridden and
owned by Katie Stephens-Grandy
She suggested I tried Smurf on TopSpec
Comprehensive Feed Balancer and
TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes or TopSpec
Performance Cubes depending on his
workload and stage of training.
“The change in feed was a massive influence
and by the time we went to Badminton,
Smurf was not only feeling very well but also
looking well and we finished in the top half
with a fabulous clear cross country.
“Since then he has gained much more
confidence and has been consistent
at competing BE100 level and British
Showjumping. He is currently in first place
in the Cumbrian BE100 leader board which is
very exciting.
“The improvement has continues with
Smurf and at Shelford Manor 2 for the BE100
Regional Final, he did a lovely test and was
one of only a few double clears to finish
second which successfully qualified him for
the Mitsubishi Motors Club in 2018.
“TopSpec really has transformed Smurf,
he is much happier, stronger and a more
contented horse now with the changes to
his diet.
“Our run of form also continues when Smurf
won the BE100 Open Yorkshire Challenge
at Frickley Park Horse Trials which was
fantastic.”
Katie and Smurf will finish the season with
a few more runs at Novice before he has a
short break to then concentrate on training
over the winter ready for Badminton 2018.
After such a positive effect thanks to the
change in feeding, Katie now feeds TopSpec
to her other horses. The homebred, Mr Music
is on TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer,
and they have successfully qualified on their
first attempt for the BE90 Regional Final by
winning on a 23.8 dressage and completing
a double clear. They are now focussed on
moving up to BE100 level.
Katie is also busy bringing on Castlesize
Go Easy who she also events and is just
starting her two youngsters, Belview Bobby
and Cheeky Bandit who are about to start
competing. Katie’s best horse, Hey Mr
Sandman has been off this year but will be
making a comeback next season, with the
aim of competing at CIC level.
For further information please contact the
Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on
01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk 31