The time is ticking all the way down to the Thoroughbred Makeover, and as a coach you’re below stress to attempt to put together your horse for the large occasion. Every of the horses I’ve taken to Kentucky has been at a special stage of coaching and expertise.
Widget Manufacturing facility has had much less expertise with getting out; for a couple of month, he couldn’t as a result 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 referred to 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 using 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 brought about him a number of nervousness. That nervousness stayed with him all through the present.
We ended up scratching from the lessons however requested present administration if we may stroll him within the dressage space so he at the least may have a constructive 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 acquired 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 the whole lot was finished for the night, I made a decision to take the chance at hand stroll the boys round the entire horse heart so they might 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 acquired an opportunity to go stroll within the large indoor area advanced, which was excellent follow as there will even be an enormous indoor area advanced for the Thoroughbred Makeover present.
Drafted couldn’t care much less about something and Widget did very properly and simply wished to eat the flowers! We walked round to the completely different rings the place we’d be displaying the subsequent day. This actually helps the horses as they’ll see and know what to anticipate. If they’re nervous about something, I spend time there to get them used to the scary issues —large 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 acquired recent baths (it’s onerous to maintain gray horses clear!) and their manes braided for his or her assessments.
To assist with using two horses in the identical introduction dressage lessons, my pal rode Widget for this present. We rode to the ring and schooled within the heat up area, and each horses had been doing properly. Widget had his take a look at 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 take a look at was stopped so emergency companies may assist the rider.
Widget accomplished his first-ever using take a look at and he survived! It was not one of the best rating as a result of him sticking his tongue out and never being relaxed, however he completed! My take a look at with Drafted went properly however we wrestle with suppleness and accepting the bit, in order that’s the place we misplaced factors. For Introduction A Check, Drafted acquired a 3rd place and Widget a sixth place.
Our second class was later within the night, so the horses had been ready to return to their stalls, have a snack, and one other bathtub! Introduction B Check was in a special 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 Check! It was one of the best journey I’ve seen him do and I knew he scored properly on this take a look at. My assumption was proper and Widget acquired 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 special setting, expose them to extra horse present nuances, and journey in numerous area settings. This simply reveals 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.
