Mr. David Robert Joseph Beckham, new captain of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team had better be careful. A new star is rising. Kariba is coming for you.
Kariba the horse has become a regular Mane Rooney – after his trainer discovered his amazing passion for football.
The troubled stallion was once so unruly, it regularly threw its riders and was nearly left on the bench permanently.
But thanks to horse psychologist Emma Massingale, he has been placated – by his love of soccer.
The 16-year-old animal has mastered passing, shooting, dribbling and hoofing a ball around his field. He has even moved on to nudging his large blue ball with his nose – in a horsey-style header.
Emma, 25, rehabilitates dangerous steeds at her training school, Natural Equine, based in Bradworthy, Devon.
She said: "I'm not interested in football myself. But I looked at the players and thought 'my horse could do that'. "We started by leading him to the ball with a rope and I rewarded him with a pat if he touched or kicked it.
"Horses naturally shy away from unusual, bright objects that move towards them, so that had to be overcome. "Luckily, he is such a show-off, he took to it immediately and there was no looking back.
"He loves to learn new tricks and will parade around showing off his skills without any instruction. If you leave him in the pen with a football, he is happy there for hours kicking and heading it about on his own.
"After England got beaten by Germany again the other night, maybe the team could do with some tips."
Kariba stands 16.2 hands high and is a thoroughbred-Irish draft cross. Our operatives believe Kariba is in secret negotiations with another Major League Soccer franchise and will make his American debut soon. (It should be noted, however, that our operatives also believe in the Tooth Fairy.)
