Holly Zecchin was out there for a horse with the potential to compete in Western Dressage when she discovered Buckeye Warrior on the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program web site. Buckeye Warrior, a 2016 bay gelding, had run from 2018 to 2021, incomes a complete of $43,819. Sadly, on the time he was listed on the web site, Buckeye Warrior was rehabilitating from a stress fracture in his left tibia. Consequently, there have been no movies of him, solely pictures showcasing his conformation.
Holly initially handed on the darkish bay gelding, pondering his damage would possibly have an effect on their future collectively. Nevertheless, the extra she checked out his pictures, the extra she realized that she “ought to tackle Buckeye.”
Even together with his damage, Holly believed Buckeye’s conformation was perfect for Dressage. Leandra Cooper, Buckeye’s coach at New Vocations, offered Holly with detailed details about Buckeye’s persona. Leandra described him as having a form eye and a quiet nature. Although a bit reserved, he was additionally trusting and sensible. After assembly Buckeye in particular person, Holly wrote, “Leandra’s description was so correct.”
Holly adopted Buckeye in November 2021, hoping he could be eligible and adequately ready to compete within the 2022 Retired Racehorse Challenge (RRP) on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. “Buckeye has exceeded any aims I might have set for him this 12 months,” Holly wrote. His “clever and trusting nature have allowed him to essentially excel at Western Dressage.”
To arrange for RRP, Buckeye and Holly competed on the Fundamental Stage in Oklahoma, the place he was named champion within the open division. He additionally certified for the Western Dressage Affiliation World Present, held in Guthrie, Okla., from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, 2022. When the pair lastly competed at RRP in October, they gained the Dressage division and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Nationwide Championship for Western Dressage.
After RRP, Buckeye had a couple of weeks off to relaxation and recuperate from a busy but profitable 2022. Since then, Holly and Buckeye resumed coaching for Stage One Western Dressage competitions. Holly’s purpose is to “carry Buckeye up the degrees of Western Dressage.”
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 all the initiatives supported by The Jockey Membership.
