A Great Seat

re: A Great Seat

Phoebe Hayes — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:19:15 GMT

The Maryland Jockey Club has been actively promoting OTTBs for many years.

At various events throughout the year both CANTER MidAtlantic and Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue have provided on track demonstrations between the races, showing talented ex-racehorses as show jumpers, show hunters, dressage horses, and western pleasure horses, and foxhunters.

CANTER volunteers have provided assistance at the past two Laurel Park Chili Cookoff (recognised by the International Chili Association) and in appreciation MJC has donated thousands of dollars. www.canterusa.org

Kim Clark, Trainer@GoodHorse.org, conducts trackside seminars for potential owners to help them with understanding the OTTB and the transition from the racetrack to their new careers.

re: A Great Seat

JTB — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:03:25 GMT

I am so glad to see Exceller and Old Friends in the same playground as TRF. Both Michael Blowen and Nicole Smith(ED, Exceller), are TRF Alumni!!!

Makes for a bad day for Diana!!!!!

Way to Go NYRA!!! Glad you could include Michael, and Exceller!!! They deserve the recognition!! They truly love their charges!!

re: A Great Seat

Show Jumper — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:38:36 GMT

True, Goodwin.

There is a small "Triple Crown Series" being run at the Horse Park in Lexington Virginia. This is for TBs only. There are three shows this year, with the last one being in November. It is great that they are doing this. This is really for "Track 2" horses of my three "tracks" above. The highest jumping competitions they have are smaller than anything in the "rated" divisions at the open shows (US Equestrian Federation). Also, the 'money' classes are structured so the horses that have the ability to move up in open shows have no advantage. I think these shows and the stakes classes held this summer in KY (Thanks to New Vocations and Castleton Lyons) are great for "Track 2" horses.

Thoroughbreds have potential to get back to competitiveness in the big open shows, but all of us who have to make a living in some way have backed away from investing in the thoroughbreds (even if they're 'cheaper' to buy it still costs $1k/week with expenses to do a large USEF show). If some of the big TB farms got interested (together or separately) maybe they could sponsor a few of these top athlete horses, and then there would be TBs in the big competitions again.

re: A Great Seat

El Kabong — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:56:26 GMT

You shamelessly used the impeccable Jeannine Edwards to get me into this story. Very nice. I appreciate the story and as implied, I appreciate the Jeannine Edwards tie in to this cause. When do we honor Mrs. Edwards for her alluring attraction to TBHR with a statue in the paddock of her choice? Sorry Randy, the Moss statue will have to wait.

re: A Great Seat

goodwin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:02:08 GMT

How about establishing a TB only circuit of shows? Arabians do it, why not TBs? And then, the show jumping and dressage TB owners could have their own forum. OTTBs are usually less expensive (read: sometimes free), in comparison to the purchase of warmbloods, which rule in these competitions. Creating breed recognitions and awards would stimulate the desire for these deserving horses.

re: A Great Seat

Show Jumper — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:10:12 GMT

Good girl, Jeannine. Musical Freestyle no less!

It sounds like we need several tracks (pun intended) for racehorses that are finished racing.

1) "Rescue/Rehoming" for those that are not physically suited for new carreers. The marketing model is probably more like that for dogs. These are pure pets / companions and need that kind of organization to get them homes. Funding responsibility here should probably be heaviest on those who breed and race these horses.

2) "Casual Sports" for those that are suited to lower level athletic pursuits. This is the in-between and where the new owners need more resources and are hoping for a companion/sporting partner. The people who adopt these horses provide some support through adoption fees, but funding here may probably need to be a hybrid of that and breeders/race owners.

3) "Competitive Athletes" for horses with a lot left in the tank who have a shot at upper level competition. These horses if recognized can do a lot to help spark interest in the "track 2" type horses, but the economics in all but eventing are very problematic. You need professionals to be able to bring these horses along without losing a ton of money, which would mean sponsorship to get things started. TBs have all but dropped out of upper level show jumping and show hunters and that is a large market (as horses go) with a lot of discretionary income to support these horses. This 'market' should not be left untapped as it largely is now.

If Super Saver's full brother is sound, maybe Winstar could sponsor him as a possible show jumper. That is just an example. In general it would be better if the horses were selected by the jumper trainer, but he would deserve a shot and his famous full brother might help get attention.

Gotta go now, interested in thoughts from others on this.

re: A Great Seat

OldDog — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:03:45 GMT

I would have loved to have been there, especially to see Jeannine and Ashkal Way.

re: A Great Seat

John T — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:36:43 GMT

Ashkal Way had class on the racetrack and it,s good to see him

getting some class now that those days are over.

re: A Great Seat

Robin from Maryland — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:51:17 GMT

Wonderful story!!! It's nice to see these guys living on. Kudos to all who support OTTBS.

re: A Great Seat

Ange — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:18:51 GMT

Awakino Cat! My mare's half-brother, he's helping the family's black-type! Thanks dude, your niece/nephew-to-be thanks you too!

re: A Great Seat

Leigh in Va. — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:31:30 GMT

Retired from racing does not mean retired from a chance to be an athlete in another career.Many of these horses would be happy doing something and being cared for as well as at the track.please promote retired from the track,ready for a new career,not just turned out somewhere.Go Jennine!

re: A Great Seat

mz — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:40:56 GMT

I remember Ashkal Way. Is there any way you can post the dressage demonstration on-line (or direct me to some site where I can watch it)?

re: A Great Seat

Rachel — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:53:46 GMT

I remember Ashkal Way! He won the Gr 1 Citation HCP, too. Wonderful that he ended up so happy, way to go Jeannine ♥

I'm glad to see it being relabeled more as a "retirement" theme as opposed to "rescue."

re: A Great Seat

Blue Blue Sea — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:26:04 GMT

Nice bit. As an owner/rider of OTTBs and fan of horse racing I love to see these stories.