The proper alternative for me to take BOTH of my RRP hopefuls introduced itself in Might on the New Vocations’ 21st Annual All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Present. This present would give me the prospect to work out particulars with my packing record, present lengthy distance trailering expertise, give extra present expertise for the 2 horses and put together me for the Thoroughbred Makeover with two horses. It’s at all times been at the back of my thoughts: can I actually compete two horses without delay? How am I going to do that?!?! Am I loopy??
Very first thing was to determine what courses to point out in. This three-day horse present had courses starting from in-hand, jumpers, dressage, and western to succeed in all disciplines of driving for any Thoroughbred! Drafted has already been competing in some native exhibits so he has extra expertise. Then again, Widget simply obtained over a foul abscess and has had only a few rides on him. So, I made a decision this present was largely for Widget to expertise as he has had little touring or present atmosphere expertise since he stayed at one observe most of his profession. I entered Widget within the in-hand courses solely and drafted within the in-hand, dressage, and pleasure courses.
Packing for any kind of journey may be disturbing and exhausting, however I’ve had loads of expertise with my endurance driving and in a single day horse exhibits. This time round, although, I used to be packing for 2 horses! The drive right down to Aiken, S.C. is about 9 hours every manner, so to make sure I didn’t neglect something I purchased two rolling storage bins to have for every horse to attempt to make my life somewhat simpler and it did assist. My husband had the responsibility of serving to load all of it within the trailer – he is excellent at becoming every thing into its place and nonetheless having room for extra! This journey he gave me some appears to be like of, “Why am I packing a lot,” however you simply by no means know what you could want away from dwelling. I used to be in a position to load up the trailer just a few days previous to the present, which makes it rather less disturbing understanding every thing is packed, and it gave me a while to recollect something I could have forgotten.
The day earlier than and day of our journey, I gave the horses some electrolytes and ulcer meds understanding that it was going to be a protracted scorching drive to South Carolina. Each loaded up easily and we headed south. I like to provide the horses breaks each three to 4 hours to allow them to relaxation their muscle mass. One cease that’s my husband’s favourite (and perhaps was a perk to persuade my husband to return with me) is to Buc-ees! If in case you have by no means been to 1 earlier than, I extremely suggest going. I can solely describe it as a fuel station combined with a Walmart and Costco, and with the most effective BBQ!
Most each cease we take, I let the home windows right down to let the horses stick their heads out, and the most effective a part of that is the folks watching them. I’m large advocate for Thoroughbreds, and when folks come over to take a look at the horses I at all times inform them every horse’s tales! You possibly can see the smile on their faces, and understanding that you just supplied extra data and will have modified somebody’s opinions of a Thoroughbred is priceless.
We arrived on the present grounds Thursday afternoon, obtained our stall assignments, and obtained the horses out to their new dwelling for the weekend. On Friday morning, Widget’s legs have been somewhat swollen from stocking up, so I scratched him from his morning in-hand class however was in a position to ice them and get the swelling down for his afternoon class, “Contemporary Off the Observe.”
This was Widget’s first in a single day and largest present expertise, so I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. He was not spooky with the atmosphere, however was just a bit fidgety standing in line and ready to evaluate in hand – he has the endurance of somewhat child! He survived his top notch and positioned second within the “Contemporary Off the Observe” class! We additionally entered within the in-hand Gelding class which was a big class of 15. We didn’t place however he behaved, and had a optimistic expertise.
For Drafted, I’ve confirmed him at native smaller exhibits, and this could be his first massive present. There have been just a few class time adjustments which made our schedule somewhat hectic with back-to-back courses. Within the morning, we confirmed within the warfare horse in-hand and positioned eight, and in adopted in-hand we positioned eighth as nicely! We then entered three dressage intro courses and positioned second, fourth, and sixth! Â
Because the day went on and the present obtained extra crowded, I seen Drafted was not performing his regular laid-back self. I spotted that with the bigger crowds the extra amped up he obtained, and I assumed this reminded him of his racing days as a result of again then, as extra folks got here the extra excited he obtained. I hoped because the day handed he would develop into extra relaxed, however on Saturday I confirmed in my top notch and he was nonetheless not himself. He was not the horse I schooled at dwelling or confirmed on the native exhibits, and I used to be somewhat upset. I completed my first Saturday class within the stroll/trot pleasure class putting ninth but it surely was not a optimistic expertise for each of us. I made a decision to scratch the remainder of Saturday’s courses as I didn’t wish to have mores unhealthy experiences in these.
On Sunday, the present obtained rather less crowded and I wished to attempt once more with Drafted. He gave the impression to be in a greater place when education him earlier than the category, so we went into the W/T warfare horse class. My horse was again! Drafted was his cool collected self once more and positioned ninth within the massive class. Drafted additionally obtained the particular award of the highest-earning Thoroughbred on the present with $1,171,593!
With solely 10 months to re-train OTTBs for the makeover, you study one thing new about them each day. The New Vocations horse present was the proper alternative for me to check the waters of a giant present just like the Makeover early of their coaching. I attempt to make each alternative a optimistic expertise – even when meaning not exhibiting. I at all times put the horse first regardless of how lengthy I traveled, how a lot I paid, or how a lot it means to me. The New Vocations charity present raised over $180,000 to help the group’s mission to rehab, retrain, and rehome retired racehorses, and I couldn’t be extra proud to have introduced my two RRP makeover hopefuls to the present!
