On the night of Sept. 6, after viewing and acknowledging photos of Actual Grace in a paddock on a farm in Lexington, his racing coach and my good buddy, Shelley Brown, put down her telephone for what ended up being the final time. Footage and video despatched the next day, heralding Grayson’s arrival at Kentucky Horse Park and his first adventures of that pivotal week, will ceaselessly stay unread.
On the night of Sept. 8, with the preliminary competitors looming, Shelley handed her reins over to these she could be forsaking, and allowed most cancers to win, albeit by all of a few whisker. She nonetheless received the battle, don’t ever suppose in any other case.
I’m relieved and grateful to know that she now not suffers. Nonetheless, the void created by her loss was a heavy weight to hold by the occasion. I used to be very accustomed to sending a lot of Grayson spam and updates – much more so within the final couple of months – all the time in hopes that it might deliver her a smile, and an additional spot of brightness to her days as she fought her closing battle.
So usually even now, I choose up my telephone to ship her one thing earlier than remembering that I can not.
Added weight in that it was a journey I by no means would have made, if it wasn’t for Actual Grace. For his epic Canadian Derby win that impressed her to battle a brutal most cancers analysis and maintain herself a number of lengths within the lead for lots longer than the docs ever thought she’d have. For the friendship that developed, that I got here to worth tremendously. If he hadn’t received the Derby, if Shelley hadn’t fought, if we hadn’t develop into buddies, I’d not have been supplied Actual Grace, and positively wouldn’t have been Thoroughbred Makeover certain with a weblog column documenting the journey.
As I’ve struggled for days with what to write down, methods to pull out the humor and positives of the journey when weighed down with loss, I spotted that maybe the proper approach to take action could be to write down out these final messages that went unread, and the messages that I needed to ship however by no means might.
Oct. 7
His stall setup will not be full, however I needed to half set it up and take an image of him carrying his Derby wreath … his mockup of his unique Derby wreath … to honor his heritage and his historical past and his profession and also you.
… That was simply Grayson and I facetiming to say “Hello” so you would come on our little stroll with us as we take a look at the park. For those who’re ever awake after I facetime, be happy to reply and don’t’ really feel such as you’re gonna have to speak. We’re joyful to only share the journey with you.
Oct. 8
So, I took Grayson for an additional stroll to the present rings this morning, and he was extra settled than yesterday. By the point we went as much as college, he was fairly darned chill! We had a stable warmup, an important left canter, and we even bought his proper lead! Twice, as a result of the primary time he tried his “I’m not steering till we’re going left”trick…… The second time the monkey on his again rode a bit smarter and that fastened that!
We additionally did our ticketed college within the ring. He was a gem. I imply, he stood on the in gate taking a look at these two rings with about six different horses milling round in them, it’s an enormous house on prime of a hill, and he stood there whereas I rooted round like a dummy in my pocket for my ticket … with gloves as a result of why make it simple on myself? He most likely figured a sweet would materialize – sorry bud, not this time.
However I Inform ya what, Shell … he went into these rings and aside from a little bit of a glance in a single nook the place you may see waaayyy down the hill to exercise under, he was simply relaxed and centered and a star.
Oh. Oh. Oh. However don’t ask his opinion of the washracks we used for his bathtub. The soiled eyeball he stored on me informed me that whereas he would take part, he was solidly in opposition to this concept of being crosstied in a stall to be bathed.
Hell-O, he’s way more dignified than that!
Oct. 9
I’m glad our trip instances aren’t till tomorrow, and we bought to only go trip within the education ring. Or possibly I want they had been at present, he was so good. He’s a bit bushy and it’s awfully heat so we stored it moderately brief, however he was excellent. Simply. Excellent. Additionally, I assume there was a cause I packed this explicit saddle pad for education. “Run your personal race” appears so becoming, in so some ways, proper now.
I completed off that show, too. Received the body final night time for the win image. I nonetheless can’t imagine Bette confirmed up that night time together with his trophies. I’m surprised and honored that she’d entrust them to me. They actually make it subsequent degree. I don’t know if this does everybody justice, however I hope it tells the story of a horse who was executed proper by, each step of the way in which.
Oct. 10
Oooh, boy, Shell. I want you had been right here. You’d have laughed with me all the way in which again to the barn. Would you imagine that this turkey picked at present, of all days – and the present ring, not the warmup, to query if this was a sport we must always play?
He warmed up nice. Critically. The canter transitions had been a bit rocky, and we missed the best lead a few instances. However we bought it sorted earlier than we went up. Or so I believed.
Truthfully, I’m unsure what modified however he was relaxed whereas we waited, at first. He bought a bit antsy, and was extra anxious about going across the ring (there have been individuals within the judges field, the horrors!), however was nonetheless accepting me as his rightful chief till the announcer spoke proper as we rode by.
That was that. He concluded my management expertise had been positively in want of great questioning, and whereas he was nonetheless outwardly enjoying alongside he was inwardly contemplating if he needed to save us from this grievous scenario in such a giant, lonely, terrifying ring.
I’ll give him this – his questioning took some time, and whereas he was questioning, he was nonetheless largely following my steering. Then, we bought to the canter. I hadn’t actually thought of the implications of canter transitions on the prime of the ring, heading in the direction of the gate. No less than, not till I requested him for the left lead and he ran off on each leads without delay, with zero steering. By the point I bought him again below management I used to be questioning if it might be higher if dressage allowed ring bits. … Nicely, probably not, I used to be largely attempting to determine if I needed to instantly do our stretch trot or if we had been supposed to return and circle. Lordy, the confusion!
So naturally, then I mess up and neglect to go all the way in which to E whereas we stroll.
And Grayson, in fact, continues to be fairly certain he wants to save lots of us. I questioned whether or not I ought to abort the best canter or not however actually, Shell, I’m right here, proper? We’re HERE, what’s the worst that may occur?
WE GOT THE RIGHT LEAD!
And ran off. With no steering. Till he propped and ducked left. Which may be the one cause we managed to remain within the ring on that one. However his ft had been staying within the ring if it was the very last thing I ever did. LOL.
The odd factor is, I can hear you laughing and shaking your head. Nicely, he’s inexperienced. Even after the journeys we did make, that is nonetheless a lot greater than he’s used to!
Don’t fear, I’m exasperated, however I’ll giggle at this check for years to return. It’s memorable, not less than!
And the demo trip, properly, if ever there was true redemption, that was it. In fact, we’re strolling round exterior the ring by A and he’s attempting to cease, refuse to go, and redirect himself to the gate. … No, sir, now we have one other check to do, and YOU, sir, are going to aim to do it.
The truth that we don’t must comply with a set sample helped quite a bit – I went up centerline, after which once we tracked left at A I put him proper to work on a 4 loop serpentine. He might have been bendier, for certain, however he was positively like “Oh wait, what approach are we going?” and was a bit too busy attempting to guess what I would need subsequent to fret about whose management expertise had been safer.
I used to be additionally sensible concerning the canter. On a circle, heading AWAY from the gate. He cantered the way in which I do know he can. Granted, the transition might have been crisper however I’ll take a lagging transition. And by the tip of that trip, he was tender, relaxed, reaching for the bit – all the pieces he could possibly be.
Truthfully, I’m so extremely happy with him for re-focusing and getting his mind again within the sport. And possibly a little bit of myself for not backing out, after the primary check.
And I’ll give him credit score, when he decides he must take over he doesn’t promote me out – he’s getting BOTH of us out of the scenario, not simply himself. So, I imply, Yay, Grace?
Can’t say it was the consequence I hoped for, however I’m nonetheless so very happy with him, and we bought 7s on a bunch of the trot work! And for his gaits within the demonstration trip.
Oct. 11
So we participated within the fix-a-test clinic. I contemplated skipping it however determined that possibly one other journey as much as the ring could be a superb factor.
I’m glad I did.
First, I really rode him up there – often I simply rode him dwelling. In fact we get to the hill now we have to climb to get to the rings and he was like “Nope, been there executed that, YOU make unhealthy decisions, lady.”
May need needed to have somebody lead us up the hill. Eyeroll.
So he’s on the lookout for an out, and all I can take into consideration is these damned canters in the direction of the gate within the check. … And I requested the steward if the choose could be keen to only college us.
Greatest. Choice. Ever.
The choose gave me some nice little suggestions and tweaks, after which had me soften him and ask for canter. I’ve completely no concept the place the canter I bought got here from, however holy moly I hope we get it once more. Trustworthy to goodness true uphill collected tender related canter.
And the best lead was higher than the left!
I felt 200 ft tall and bulletproof, sitting on that canter. It was magical.
We bought the most effective feedback – about how he’s sturdy, athletic, and go forward and trip him up above his degree of coaching, as a result of he’s completely bought the power for it and it’ll simply make the extent we’re at that a lot simpler.
I’m proud to bursting of him. I want I had video. I want you would have seen it.
As for Grace, I feel he’s simply relieved to see me pack up the tack. LOL.
Oct. 23
Nicely, Grayson’s lastly dwelling. I miss our conversations. I miss sharing him with you. I want I might ship you the video of him celebrating being again in his pasture together with his buddies. He’s ecstatic.
He bought off the trailer and actually trotted off, too. Scared the 2 racehorses that had been unloaded so we might get him out.
I’ve largely been parsing by all the knowledge I picked up and attempting to make a listing of all my new contacts within the aftercare world. I’ve listed a bunch of horses this week, with the meet ending quickly, and as soon as that’s executed I would like to begin trying on the subsequent steps in aftercare right here. After the Wire is nice for itemizing horses that match a market-based method – and I’m hoping to spark some curiosity in individuals in shopping for horses to take to the Thoroughbred Makeover with it – however I feel extra could be executed to assist our horsemen defend their horses who want a bit extra time or care in placement. I want you had been round for me to whine to after I get pissed off with that scenario, as a result of I’m certain I’ll, and I’m certain you’d have perception and concepts. And I do know that it doesn’t matter what, you’d have my again.
I want you would have stayed with us for therefore many extra years – to sometime trip all of the enjoyable issues Grayson will discover ways to do in time. I’m so glad you bought on him that day in July. I want we might have executed {that a} hundred extra instances.
I’ve stated it a few instances to you these previous few weeks, however I feel it bears saying once more: THANK YOU. The best present anybody has even given me was the chance to purchase this horse. Not due to his accolades and accomplishments on the monitor, however as a result of he suits me completely and each single time I swing a leg over him – even when he’s operating off on two leads without delay with no steering on the most inopportune of instances (really let’s hope that’s a one-time deal) – I’m dwelling.
He’ll need for nothing, to the tip of his days, I promise you that.
And most of all, Thanks for being my buddy.
See you sometime.
Love,
Lindsay and Grayson
Thanks to the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protecting Affiliation of Alberta, Horse Racing Alberta, Century Mile Racetrack, Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Alberta Chapter, and plenty of breeders, homeowners, backstretch personnel, and others who’ve helped us alongside this journey with help – each in schooling and financially. Thanks for serving to me take Actual Grace again to Kentucky to point out that even completed racehorses have oodles potential in a second profession. This help put the Alberta Racing Trade’s stewardship in the direction of aftercare and Thoroughbreds past racing on the North American stage. I’m proud to help our horsemen in guaranteeing that their retiring racehorses preserve worth and go on to steer full, profitable lives in new careers.
Thanks to Americas Greatest Racing for a weblog spot that allowed me to share Actual Grace and the significance of aftercare on a bigger platform.
Thanks to Natalie Voss and the Chronicle of the Horse for an article that highlights Actual Grace’s significance to so many, however most particularly Shelley. Thanks for operating it early; to make certain she was in a position to learn it.
And thanks to the whole workers on the Retired Racehorse Mission in your dedication to this annual occasion, filled with the most effective horses God ever constructed.
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.
