A HORSE rescued from the knacker's yard is set to jump alongside champion thoroughbreds after his owner nursed him back to his best.

It was feared ten-year-old Salazeer, or Ali, was hours away from being turned into dog meat in Holland before being rescued in 1999.

But now the lucky Arab grey could jump in front of thousands of people and a television audience if he carries his rider Joanne Bond to the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham NEC.

Ali's reversal of fortune started when previous owner Michelle Yates, of Sabden, contacted the elderly Scottish owner she had sold him to a few months before.

The owner had found Ali too much for her and sold him to a horse dealers in Birmingham.

When Michelle found out she drove down and bought him back the next day.

Ali has now put the past behind him and is currently trying to qualify with his current owner Joanne for the show on September 21 by competing in numerous events all across the country.

Michelle, 33, of Whalley Road, said she originally sold Ali when she fell pregnant with her first son Joshua and would not have been able to look after him properly. When she found out he had been sold on she jumped into action to save him.

"I couldn't let him become horse meat. I know nobody ships horses to the continent for any other reason than to become horse meat.

"I rang them up about 11pm and I raced down the very next morning. I was worried they were going to ship him off in a crate there and then, but they knew we wanted him and charged me twice what I sold him for.

"I sold him to Joanne because I knew she could give him good home and I'm just pleased that he's doing so well.

"I can't believe it. If he goes to the show it would be lovely and I'd definitely go to watch him."

Joanne, 27, of Albert Street, Oswaldtwistle, said: "He's had such a hard time in his life. But since he was rescued he's done so well and impressed so many people that other riders have offered to ride him for me to qualify, but I want to do it myself.

"I've been riding since I was four and competing since 11 and it would be a dream come true for both of us."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "We do know that the practice of shipping over horse carcases to the continent to be used as horse meat from this country does take place."

Joanne is currently looking for people to help her meet the costs of competing around the country.

If anyone wants to help Joanne they can contact her on 01254 391581.