Standardbred found in supermarket car park beats early prognosis to reach Cotswold Cup final

The find and a fast friendship

Katie Bird met Friday when the mare was found loose outside a Sainsbury's and taken in by Katie's old riding school, Park Lane Stables. Katie was at a crossroads after training at the British Racing School and struggling with confidence in racing. She agreed to do some work to keep Friday ticking over and became attached. By the time the owner returned, Katie bought Friday for £1,800.

"She's my world," Katie told Horse & Hound. "She saved me as much as I saved her." The early relationship was cautious — Friday had limited handling and was "quite shut down" — but she developed a large personality with time and work.

A bleak diagnosis and an alternative plan

When Friday was three she became very lame. The vet found early arthritic changes and advised that she would probably never be ridden and that euthanasia might be the best option. Katie declined and pursued a conservative recovery route instead. They declined repeated steroid injections because of long-term joint concerns, focusing on rehabilitation and non-invasive therapies.

Respiratory crisis, recovery and ongoing management

After initial progress Friday became reluctant to go forward. Investigations revealed gastric ulcers and severe respiratory disease. When scoped, her lungs were reported as 95% blocked with mucus. The vet said he did not know how she was still standing. The treatment included flushing the lungs and a course of steroids. Friday now requires daily steamed hay and nebuliser treatment.

From hunter trials to eventing final

Friday responded quickly to jumping work. Katie reports she is forward, not spooky and will jump anything. The pair began with small hunter trials where Friday adapted rapidly to the job: confident over water and ditches and fluid to the fences. They started eventing in 2025 with a season plan focused on consistent runs at 70cm to build confidence.

A gaited mare in mainstream competition

Practical takeaways

• Early conservative rehab and non-invasive therapies can change a bleak prognosis in young horses when owners and vets agree on a gradual plan.

• Slow, confidence-building progress — small competitions, targeted rest, and knowing a horse's limits — can reopen competitive pathways even after major setbacks.