Meredith and her new horse, Chewy.We all know that horse shopping can be a stressful experience. The task of finding the right horse for the job you have to do is fraught with difficulty when the big, the bold and the beautiful constantly catch your eye. This is the story of one woman’s journey to find the right horse…which she ended up finding right here in the RRP Online Horse Listings!
From Meredith Clark:
It’s never easy to admit you can’t ride your own horse.
RRP had a great year in 2014 and is looking forward to an even bigger 2015. Thank you to our fans and supporters!
RRP had a great year in 2014 and is looking forward to an even bigger 2015. Thank you to our fans and supporters!
The mission of Retired Racehorse Project is to increase demand for Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and build the bridges to second careers. Increasing demand means increasing the number of people who appreciate and desire to own ex-racehorses. The numbers reached by the 2014 Thoroughbred Makeover: A Marketplace and National Symposium at Pimlico Racecourse suggests that we are making headway.
By Heather Benson
Year two of the national Ultimate X Showdown off-track Thoroughbred barrel racing competition saw a huge increase in overall applications that translated into a big increase in the quality of the competition.
“The horses were also clocking a little better this year and really showcasing that they CAN compete in the barrel arena with others,” said Ultimate X founder Jacqueline Harris. “The overall quality of trainers I can’t really say are better, however, they were more so barrel racing trainers this year. Last year’s trainers were all very good, however, perhaps they were not competitors in barrel racing, so that does make a slight difference in how the horse turns out after 100 days.”
Lynn and Donner on the cross country course. Photo courtesy of symanskyequestrian.comTomorrow, Lynn Symansky and her off-track Thoroughbred, Donner, will ride the dressage portion in day one of the World Equestrian Games Three-Day Event in Normandy, France. Not only is Donner the only OTTB on Team USA, he is the only horse of any breed on the team that was actually bred in the USA, the rest being European imports. We thought it would be fun to take a closer look at this pair who are truly representing “Team USA” through and through!
One of the many Thoroughbreds in Rodney Jenkins’ shedrow at Laurel Park. Photo by Sarah Hinkle.By Sarah Hinkle
Editor’s Note: Sarah was the winner of the “Morning with Rodney Jenkins” package that was a part of our June Thoroughbreds and Wine For All fundraiser. This past weekend, she redeemed her purchase by spending a morning at Laurel Park with legendary show jumper turned race trainer Rodney Jenkins. The following is her account of their fantastic morning together.
It was a dark and cool morning, excitement filled the air as my friend (Dominique Martin) and I followed the line of cars flooding in to Laurel Park at 5 am. We were going to meet Rodney Jenkins!
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) and Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) have teamed up to create the TCA Thoroughbred Marketplace on October 4 and 5 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The event is built into the RRP’s second annual Thoroughbred Makeover, a national gathering of the farms, organizations and individuals who transition racehorses into second careers. The weekend includes educational seminars, demonstrations and the America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred Contest.
Malinda and now 25-year-old Schmoopy grace the winner’s circle at Pimlico during May’s “Canter for the Cure” event. Photo by JHA Photo Services.On her thirtieth birthday,Malinda Lawrence finally bought herself her first horse: a nondescript bay Thoroughbred gelding. “Schmoopy” as Malinda has come to lovingly address him, started her on a path that sold her forever on off-track Thoroughbreds and eventually saw Malinda become a founding member of the Retired Racehorse Project’s board. This is their story.
Michelle and her OTTB, Banks, on the cross country course.Michelle Warro, assistant trainer at Steuart Pittman’s Dodon Farm Training Center, may have found her dream horse in a Not For Love gelding named Not Without Me (aka Banks). She kindly shared the story of how their partnership began and the hopes they have of where it might go from here in this “Your Story” edition.
Mensa G and Michael Pollard at Rolex Kentucky 2014. (photo courtesy of EquiSport Photos)As the highest placed off-track Thoroughbred at the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (14th), Mensa G showed the world that OTTBs have exactly what it takes to compete at the highest levels in one of the toughest equine sports on the planet. RRP’s takes a look at the racing background that made Mensa G the champion that he is today.
Nuno Santos and Ken’s Kitten in front of the large crowd at West Wind Farm (photo courtesy of Mark Partridge, Ramsey Farm)
Reviews of Thoroughbreds For All Kentucky 2014 are glowing. Six hundred Thoroughbred lovers, top racing owners and trainers, Olympic equestrians, and some of the best equine athletes on the planet are a magical formula, especially when managed by the teams at New Vocations and Retired Racehorse Project.
After introductions from New Vocations’ amazing Anna Ford and myself things got underway with some inspiring stories from Thoroughbred riders who had managed to finish their Rolex cross country course walks in time to join us. Katie Frei (Houdini), Libby Head (Sir Rockstar), Dana WIldstrand (Relentless Pursuit), Colleen Rutledge (Shiraz), Laine Ashker (Anthony Patch), and Kate Chadderton (Collection Pass) received their Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program Rolex Thoroughbred halters and had their pictures taken with Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Graham Motion. Graham spoke about the pleasure that he and his wife Anita have gotten from putting their horse Icabad Crane in training with Phillip Dutton, a project being supported by RRP sponsors Cosequin and Triple Crown.
Mensa G and Michael Pollard held the best dressage score after day one.The rest of this week is devoted to the pinnacle of achievement for on-track Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky Derby, but at last weekend’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, it was the off-track Thoroughbreds that nearly stole the entire show. Fourteen off-track Thoroughbreds started the competition on Thursday, April 24 and we were proud to watch them all excel over the next several days.
After day one of dressage on Thursday, Thoroughbred lovers everywhere were thrilled to see the name Mensa G on top. A 16-year-old son of Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair, Mensa G and his rider Michael Pollard had put in the best dressage test of the first 31 pairs, beating out the imported warmbloods that traditionally dominate this portion of eventing. Mensa G, who raced as Merisa G, was all class on the track as well, a winner of five races from 41 starts and earning over $92,000. Here’s To You also put in an excellent test in front of a panel of tough judges to end the day in 7th place.
Mensa G and Michael Pollard, still on the leaderboard after cross country.The cross country portion of any three-day event is where Thoroughbreds have always stood out and it was no different at the 2014 Rolex. The course rewarded those horses and riders who were tough, confident and rode forwardly. Therefore it was no surprise that of pairs that jumped the course with a double clear, seven were off-track Thoroughbreds.
Those jumping double clear were Pirate, Tsunami, Shiraz, Irish Rhythm, Sir Rockstar, Ziggy and Parker. Parker had the fastest time on the course with Shiraz not far behind, allowing them to move up from 55th to 25th place and 48th to 23rd place respectively. Ziggy also made a big move upward in the standings, from 57ths to 30th. Mensa G, who had taken first place after the first day of dressage, jumped clear but picked up two time penalties but still goes into the final day in a solid fifth place. Houdini finished with jumping and time faults but still made it through to show jumping tomorrow.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has begun and we will be bringing you all the latest news from the 14 off-track Thoroughbreds that are competing this year. We completed the second day of dressage tests today with some wild weather in between. It was chilly, windy and sometimes even raining, but that didn’t keep the Thoroughbreds down. After the main contingent of OTTBS did their tests yesterday, we four left to perform today in Sir Rockstar, Expedience, Relentless Pursuit and Ziggy. 
A little rain never hurt anyone, least of all a Thoroughbred! Expedience and Kaitln Spurlock finish it in the rough. (photo courtesy of Wendy Wooley/Equisport Photo)
Relentless Pursuit put in the best test, ending with a score of 60.0 to put him in the upper tier of competitors in 35th place. Expedience and Kaitlin Spurlock endured a downpour during their test, yet still managed to finish with a smile.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has begun and we will be bringing you all the latest news from the 14 off-track Thoroughbreds that are competing this year. The first set of dressage tests took place today and after 31 horses strutted their stuff, it would appear that none other than a THOROUGHBRED is on top, and an off-track Thoroughbred at that. Mensa G (raced as Merisa G) and rider Michael Pollard lead all horses with a score of 49.5!
Dressage leader after Day 1, Mensa G and his rider Michael Pollard. (photo courtesy of Wendy Wooley/Equisport Photo)
If you recall from our Rolex OTTB profiles over the last two weeks, Mensa was an accomplished racehorse that retired sound after 40 starts on the track and earnings of over $92,000. A graduate of the CANTER Mid-Atlantic program, he initally ended up in the barn of Advanced eventer Andrea Leatherman before being sold to his current connections. At age 16, he is one of the oldest horses in this year’s Rolex, but those miles on and off the track seemed to have served him good stead during a dressage day where many younger horses used the cool weather and breezy conditions as a reason to skip a beat or two!
Here is the full rundown of all the scores and current standings for the off-track Thoroughbreds as of 4/24/2014:
You have probably heard by now that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently released a video to kick off a campaign against horse racing. The video is nine minutes long and is taken from seven hours of footage taped secretly by a woman who got a job working in the barn of Steve Asmussen’s long-time assistant trainer Scott Blasi. PETA has called on the public to never bet on or attend another horse race.
The video hit the airwaves last Wednesday, March 19 when it was reported by the New York Times. Since then Blasi has been relieved of his duties, Asmussen has been removed from contention for the Racing Hall of Fame, and investigations are being planned by the racing commissions in Kentucky and New York where the filming took place. Every major organization in racing has released comments condemning the practices alleged in the video, encouraging further investigation, and asserting a commitment to the safety and welfare of racehorses (see the Paulick Report’s compilation of responses here). Longstanding debates over the appropriate regulation of the sport are louder than ever. Everyone has an opinion.
The recently launched campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) calling on the public to stop attending and betting on horse races does not serve the interests of horses.
Thoroughbreds love to run and they depend on the resources of a vibrant sport to ensure that they are honored and cared for. Racehorses instill in Americans a connection to the natural world that cannot and should not be denied. It is a connection we share with our ancestors and one that we should preserve.
Big Red in the spotlight as a model for KerritsMovie star, catalogue model, charity fundraiser, guest horse and public relations professional—Big Red is one OTTB with a long and diverse resume.
In his biggest role, Big Red, whose Jockey Club name is Trolley’s Boy, was one of several horses that played Secretariat in the 2010 Disney movie. His audition for the role took place during the 2008 Secretariat Foundation Festival look-alike contest in Paris, Kentucky. With his Secretariat-like markings and chestnut color, he was a shoe-in for the famous racehorse, and Penny Chenery herself picked him out.
It’s not surprising—after all, Trolley’s Boy is Secretariat’s great, great grandson. Trolley’s sire is Gone West stallion, Pembroke. Gone West was foaled from the Secretariat daughter, Secrettame. Trolley’s Boy immediate family may not have been Triple Crown winners like his famous great-grandfather, but they made a respectable name for themselves on the track. His dam produced a total of 15 foals and six of them became winners on the track, including Carter’s Trolley (by Dr. Carter) who made over $132,000 in four years. Trolley Boy’s grandmother, City Linesu, did even better by producing six winners herself and more importantly, the mare Worthy Line, who went on to be the dam of four stakes horses and an entire family of stakes winners through her daughter and granddaughters.
February 24, 2014-Lexington Kentucky- This year’s Thoroughbreds For All event star line up will include: Olympic dressage rider Linda Zang, Pan American Games eventing gold medalist Lynn Symansky, and Kentucky Oaks winning jockey Rosie Napravnik. All three will share their experience in working with retired racehorses to an expected crowd of over 600 Thoroughbred enthusiasts. The evening event begins at 5:30pm, following the Rolex cross country on Friday, April 25, just fifteen miles from the Kentucky Horse Park in the covered arena at New Vocation’s Lexington facility at West Wind Farm. A southern style dinner and cash bar will be included in the evening festivities.
Each month, we will focus on the entities and individuals that are putting together the “pieces of the puzzle” in creating the big picture of off-track Thoroughbred training and placement. This month, we feature the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), a young organization that is making big waves. In January, they were awarded the prestigious 2013 Special Eclipse Award honoring extraordinary service, individual achievements in, or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The Executive Director of the TAA, James Hastie, took a moment from his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us.
James Hastie, new executive director of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, with his cousin Haley Bell and her favorite OTTB, Sport.
RRTP: Can you tell us a little more about the background and industry partners in the TAA?
Hastie: The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Foundation (TAA) is an accrediting and funding mechanism set up by leaders in the North American Thoroughbred Racing Industry. TAA got its start with seed money provided by the Jockey Club, the Breeders’ Cup, and Keeneland Association. Jack Wolf and Madeline Auerbach, prominent owners in the Thoroughbred racing world, brought an impressive group of individuals together who represent various industry constituents, and founded TAA.
Lara Knight, one of our Makeover trainers for 2013, recently shared with us the behind the scenes experience at the Ocala Winter II Horse Trials on the Florida Horse Park on February 7, 8 and 9. Lara and her OTTB, Shooby Do, placed 11 of 22 in the Intermediate Division in what was their first competition since starting their winter break last September. Lara and “Shoo” are working towards a spot on the 2016 Olympic team with her amazing off-track Thoroughbred and we couldn’t be more excited!
From Lara:
This was Shooby Do’s and my first run back since our last competition Sept 2013. We were entered in the Intermediate division.
The amazing helmet cam footage from Lara’s cross country round at Ocala.
The stars shone brightly last weekend in Timonium, Maryland as the “Stars of the Thoroughbred Makeover” took center stage in the main arena at the hugely popular Maryland Horse World Expo in Timonium. Three of the 26 horses featured in last fall’s Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP) Thoroughbred Makeover performed under the critical eye of Olympian and eventing legend James Wofford.
“What impresses me the most about all three of these horses is how rideable they are in this difficult environment after only a few months of training,” said Wofford in his commentary. “All three of these young ladies are to be commended for quietly instilling the basic education that these horses need to become valuable partners in any discipline.”
Retired Racehorse Training Project (RRTP) has contracted with Heather Benson of Back Forty Media and Marketing to expand its work to increase demand in the equestrian sport and recreation markets for Thoroughbred ex-racehorses.
“This is a huge step forward for RRTP and the horses we serve,” said RRTP founder and president Steuart Pittman. “Heather will work with us to improve our interactive web databases, create our state-by-state Retired Racehorse Resource Directory for distribution to racetracks everywhere, and make the pitch to the two million horse owners in America that an off the track Thoroughbred just might be what they are looking for.”
