Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

anne russek — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:41:56 GMT

Hats off to Anna Ford but the Throughbred Celebration Horse Shows held three times a year at the Virginia Horse Center in lexington Virginia are one of a kind as the exclusively feature OTTB's. For two days these former racing stars strut their stuff as hunters and jumpers while competing for cash prizes and awards. next show is Nov 20 &21, Contact the Virginia Horse Center or the Thoroughbred Celebration Facebook page for some neat pictures and stories of previous shows and updates on the upcoming November show!

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

After the Finish Line — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:24:36 GMT

The Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Shows held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA also promotes off the track Thoroughbreds as Hunters and Jumpers.

The TCH Shows has partnered with After the Finish Line, www.afterthefinishline.org. After the Finish Line is a funding non-profit that awards funds to qualified Thoroughbred rescue organizations that save, care for and rehabilitate these talented horses so they can transition and excel in a second career. Follow our Facebook pages to learn more, www.facebook.com/.../edit!/pages/After-the-Finish-Line/113665201978354 and www.facebook.com/.../267650300862!/pages/Thoroughbred-Celebration-Horse-Shows/267650300862?v=info&ref=ts

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Mr. Krush — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 01:34:40 GMT

The only real horse. The Thoroughbred!!

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Mel G — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:28:17 GMT

I think it is great that we can spotlight such a great organization that is helping to give thoroughbreds second careers. I purchased Anna Ford's book on retraining OTTBs as a reference for my own thoroughbred project, Amber. Maybe bloodhorse.com could have a permanent section to spotlight organizations and individuals involved in retraining and rehoming these magnificent animals.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

jen — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:21:17 GMT

I have a Pleasant Tap gelding I rescued last year, and after only 45 rides he is heading into his first dressage show. He is so willing and loves his new career. i have Qh"s who have worse attitudes. MY trainer has a newfound respect for TBS since she has met Rio AKA Circuit Tap.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Tina — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:53:12 GMT

What a wonderful idea...classes specifically for Thoroughbreds. I, personally, have 6 TB off the race trace...losers I might add. They have learned a new job with me and I am so honored to ride them everyday. They truly have HUGE hearts with the intellect to excel in my particular sport. I have my "old man" who I bought off the racetrack 16 years ago. He raced 50 races until the age of 6 and now at the age of 22, is still going strong. My love of TB's will never cease. Congratulations again to such a wonderful organization.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

OldDog — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:25:00 GMT

I'm so happy to see these good people and their horses getting the attention they deserve. Well done!

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Rachel — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:17:46 GMT

I'm still waiting for the day it's not a "second" career, but their beauty and athletecism is valued as a first career...that's the one thing the Quarter Horse people have right...

Isn't With Anticipation being used in Cross Country, I thought I read that somewhere...I'm happy if he is...loved that horse.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Chris Glover — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:17:19 GMT

We have an OTTB we acquired from New Vocations. It was our intent to make it to this show with Hay Mazel but our daughter is chasing her dream of being a horse trainer by working with Tommy Garland. hay Mazel continues to be worked and trained by our trainer who just loves him...Maybe next year she will ride him in this show!

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

TerriV — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:39:48 GMT

This is just wonderful to hear about successful re-training. We need to get the word out about just how wonderful Thoroughbreds are. Before I worked with them on a breeding farm for 9 years I didn't realize how responsive,adaptable and eager to learn these gorgeous animals are. They deserve love and need respect and respond accordingly. They are just remarkable.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Jen — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:39:12 GMT

I was at the show and was SO impressed by how many people turned out to watch the show. There were hardly any spectators all afternoon, but as the New Vocations classes were starting, crowds began forming at both the Hunter and Jumper rings.

Congrats to New Vocations on another successful event and to all of the riders who took the plunge to compete!

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Blue Blue Sea — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:21:16 GMT

As a lover of the OTTB, I am so happy you are writing these articles. They are amazing and gifted individuals and they should be thought of more for such disciplines when their racing days are throgh.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

Jequine — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:20:19 GMT

All I have are thoroughbreds! They are athletic and quick to learn.

re: Racehorses-Turned Hunter/Jumpers Show Off Their Skills

slee — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:52:24 GMT

This is terrific! Finding a job for the right horses in retirement - congratulations to everyone.

Decades ago when I was learning to ride there was an aged Thoroughbred gelding at the school named Extra Points who used to be a hurdler/steeplechaser. He was never a pussycat under saddle, but he was honest and patient and jumped straight and true and convinced a lot of young riders that they, too, could have confidence over jumps.

There are a lot of "hot" racehorses who might not be suited for shows and fewer who are calm enough to be school horses, but it's tremendous how many people are making the time to find second lives for these wonderful spirits!