An ex-racehorse who was bought out of a dealers field for a few hundred pounds and went on to become one of the most successful ex-racehorses in the world of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) dressage has bowed out of competition.Tapaidh Frankie was officially retired in the main arena at The Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses National Championships this week, alongside her owner/rider Tracy Thirlwall.It comes 12 months after the pair were crowned national champions andclaimed theHamilton Tarmac RoR Elite Performance Award for Dressage.For their final appearance in the arena on Wednesday (20 August), Frankie entered the arena wearing a blanket of her winnings to their signature freestyle music, Ive had the time of my life.After the last salute,Tracy dismountedand led the mare out of the arena.Bucking fits and broken tackThe 16-year-old mare ran five times during a brief racing career with trainer Simon West but never won.She then found herself in a dealers field in Yorkshire, where she spent six months getting fat and feral, before Tracy bought her in November 2015 as a project to sell on.It wasnt an easy start. Tracy recalls bucking fits, broken tack, and more air jacket canisters than she cares to count, but she persevered.Over the past eight years, Frankies accolades have included winning the RoR Scottish Regional Dressage Championshipsat novice and elementary level, nine British Dressage Area Festivalsat advanced medium, Prix St Georges, and Inter I.The mare also topped the British Dressage (BD) Associate Championships for Thoroughbredsat advanced medium on two occasions, as well as multipleBD regional leagues andRoR Winter Championships.Frankie has changed my lifeShes my first Thoroughbred, and Im totally hooked, said Tracy. Frankie has changed my life in so many ways, I really do owe it all to her. Id be incredibly lucky to ever find another like her.While Frankie will no longer compete, she will remain in light work and take part in RoR demonstrations.I want to thank the Retraining of Racehorses team for their incredible support, and Aintrees dedicated crew for giving us so many magical memories, added Tracy. But the biggest thanks goes to the fabulous Frankie my best friend, and the horse of a lifetime.Main image supplied by RoRRelated contentEx-racehorses shouldnt carry more than 17% of their bodyweight, says RoRTop tips for hacking an ex-racehorseHow much weight can a horse carry?How to tell if a horse is happyThe post Ex-racer bought for a few 100 from a dealer and went on to excel in dressage retires appeared first on Your Horse.