After months of preparation, the time had lastly arrived for the ultimate week of coaching with the 2 horses I’ve been working tirelessly with. It’s been a curler coaster of feelings as I’ve educated them each, however I used to be able to take them to the Thoroughbred Makeover!
The weeks main as much as this occasion had been all about stopping accidents, guaranteeing good well being, and packing the trailer. If you happen to personal horses, you perceive the stress of wanting the whole lot to go completely — one thing that nearly by no means occurs.
I initially deliberate to take Drafted to the T.I.P. Championships in Aiken, S.C., the week earlier than the Thoroughbred Makeover for some additional observe with path obstacles. However, after all, the universe had different concepts: a hurricane canceled the T.I.P. Championships, pushing it to later in October. Then, simply three days earlier than we had been supposed to go away for the makeover, Widget Manufacturing facility managed to chop his lip proper the place the bit sits.
Widget had been the more difficult horse to arrange for the Thoroughbred Makeover, and I used to be heartbroken about this setback. In the end, I made a decision to carry him alongside to Kentucky, hoping his lip would heal earlier than his dressage check on Thursday.
Subsequent got here the journey. Each horses loaded onto the trailer with out a hitch, and we hit the highway early Monday morning. About an hour in, we had a blowout on the trailer tire. We had been prepared to vary it, however guess what? We packed the mistaken lug nut! Fortunately, we had been near house, so a good friend got here to the rescue with the precise components.
I didn’t wish to threat driving to Kentucky on a spare tire, so we discovered a store an hour away and changed all of the tires on the trailer. The horses dealt with it like champs whereas they modified all of the tires, and after 13 hours we lastly made it to the Kentucky Horse Park!
The horses settled in positive that night, and on Tuesday morning they handed the vet test with flying colours! I had labored exhausting on their feeding routine to maintain their weight up and put together for the lengthy journey. Though Widget’s lower wasn’t totally healed, we took him for a stroll across the park to acclimate him to the setting. Drafted had been coaching in a bitless bridle attributable to mouth sensitivities, and he was performing effectively. That afternoon, we schooled within the indoor area, training path obstacles and driving within the out of doors arenas with none points. That night, we rehearsed our freestyle routine within the massive indoor area, and the whole lot felt on monitor.
Wednesday was the day for Drafted’s path competitors. We had been training exhausting, however he generally struggles with massive crowds — undoubtedly a throwback to his racetrack days. As we approached the course, he obtained just a little jittery with all of the individuals round. I attempted to settle him down, however as soon as it was our flip, we needed to go in. He wasn’t responding fairly like I needed in his bitless bridle, however we tackled the course with the horse I had at that second. We made it by seven obstacles earlier than time ran out. Whereas I used to be disillusioned we didn’t get to finish the entire course, I used to be proud we did our greatest. We positioned 34th general in Path!
Later that day, it was Widget Manufacturing facility’s flip for his dressage checks. I walked him round to get him used to the setting, however he wasn’t his standard self, and the lower on his lip appeared to be bothering him. I made a decision to trip him solely through the checks and hoped for the very best. He regarded elegant as we entered the world, however he was uncomfortable and, finally, we left earlier than ending. I found that the rubber bit had reopened his lower, which defined his efficiency, however I used to be glad we made it to the makeover. I used to be in a position to trip him across the Kentucky Horse Park in a bitless bridle, which he appeared to actually get pleasure from. Sadly, we weren’t allowed to indicate in it attributable to restrictions!
Thursday introduced Drafted’s freestyle routine. I felt assured after our observe, and our theme was “Get DRAFTED to the Makeover” with a navy twist. Nonetheless, when Drafted noticed a big crowd throughout warm-up, he turned agitated. We managed to get him settled, however throughout our efficiency, he obtained overly excited, leading to an incident with the sulky. Fortunately, each my husband and Drafted had been unhurt, however the incident left me feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed. After a very good cry, I reminded myself that this was just the start for Drafted, and I used to be grateful that nobody was injured.
Total, whereas the Thoroughbred Makeover didn’t go as deliberate, it was a whirlwind expertise full of new friendships and classes. Two weeks later, Drafted competed on the T.I.P. Championships and achieved third place in each the In-Hand and Driving Aggressive Path Obstacles, tenth in Intro Dressage, second in his in-hand class, and even received first place within the costume contest dressed as a dragon!
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.
