The time is ticking right down to the Thoroughbred Makeover, and as a coach you’re beneath strain to try to put together your horse for the large occasion. Every of the horses I’ve taken to Kentucky has been at a distinct stage of coaching and expertise.
Widget Manufacturing unit has had much less expertise with getting out; for a few month, he couldn’t because of some ft points. Drafted wants extra expertise with bigger crowds and to work on being supple. So, I made a decision to enter them each right into a licensed, in a single day present known as “Dressage at Lexington” on the Virginia Horse Middle in Lexington, Va. My motto for the weekend was “Screw It, Let’s Do It” — and I even designed shirts for the event.
I used to be hesitant to take Widget as his first driving present expertise the week earlier than didn’t go in addition to deliberate. Drafted had an abscess blow out, so I scratched him from that present and needed to trailer Widget by himself, which induced him quite a lot of anxiousness. That anxiousness stayed with him all through the present.
We ended up scratching from the lessons however requested present administration if we might stroll him within the dressage space so he no less than might have a optimistic expertise. So, I debated not bringing him to Dressage at Lexington … however because the theme goes, I stated, “Let’s do it!”
Each horses loaded within the trailer and we drove three hours to Lexington the day earlier than our lessons. We received them settled into their stalls and unloaded all of the tack. This additionally allowed me to organize packing lists for Kentucky and follow bringing two horses!
As soon as every thing was carried out for the night, I made a decision to take the chance at hand stroll the boys round the entire horse heart so they may get used to the bigger setting and all issues horse present.
Drafted is my courageous horse, so he helps Widget in new conditions. This ensures Widget is just not feeding off a horse that’s nervous. We received an opportunity to go stroll within the large indoor area complicated, which was best follow as there may even be an enormous indoor area complicated for the Thoroughbred Makeover present.
Drafted couldn’t care much less about something and Widget did very effectively and simply wished to eat the flowers! We walked round to the totally different rings the place we might be displaying the subsequent day. This actually helps the horses as they will see and know what to anticipate. If they’re nervous about something, I spend time there to get them used to the scary issues —big tent, blue trash cans, golf carts, and many others.! So, by present day I don’t have to fret about them being nervous proper earlier than our class.
The following day, the horses received recent baths (it’s onerous to maintain gray horses clear!) and their manes braided for his or her exams.
To assist with driving two horses in the identical introduction dressage lessons, my buddy rode Widget for this present. We rode to the ring and schooled within the heat up area, and each horses have been doing effectively. Widget had his check first, and proper when Widget did his halt and the rider saluted, the horse and rider within the ring subsequent to them spooked and the rider fell off into the fence. Widget wasn’t bothered, however his check was stopped so emergency providers might assist the rider.
Widget accomplished his first-ever driving check and he survived! It was not the perfect rating because of him sticking his tongue out and never being relaxed, however he completed! My check with Drafted went effectively however we battle with suppleness and accepting the bit, in order that’s the place we misplaced factors. For Introduction A Take a look at, Drafted obtained a 3rd place and Widget a sixth place.
Our second class was later within the night, so the horses have been in a position to return to their stalls, have a snack, and one other bathtub! Introduction B Take a look at was in a distinct area than within the morning with a big grandstand — extra ring familiarization follow!
Each horses appeared extra relaxed than within the morning so we solely did a 15-minute warmup till our class began. Widget was feeling extra relaxed and I used to be excited to see how he would do in his second class. I watched him go and he rocked his Introduction B Take a look at! It was the perfect trip I’ve seen him do and I knew he scored effectively on this check. My assumption was proper and Widget received third place, beating the rating of Drafted, who earned a fourth place!!
I’m glad I caught with it and determined to take each horses to the in a single day present. It allowed me to see each of them in a distinct setting, expose them to extra horse present nuances, and trip in numerous area settings. This simply exhibits that extra follow by no means hurts, so “Screw it, let’s do it!” The ultimate countdown begins with the Thoroughbred Makeover present solely two months away!
The Jockey Membership helps many aftercare initiatives together with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the one accrediting physique in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which inspires the retraining of Thoroughbreds into different disciplines upon completion of careers. View the entire initiatives supported by The Jockey Membership.
