West Level Thoroughbreds will likely be represented by not one, however two graded stakes winners on the 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover: Cavalry Cost and Embellished Invader! Their Thoroughbred Makeover trainers, Erin Knehr and Mary Termer, will likely be telling the tales of those two winners in a joint weblog entry every month.
Mary Termer replace on Embellished Invader:
Nicely, we’ve made it. We’re one week out from the Thoroughbred Makeover. This has been the longest, but shortest journey ever, and I’ve taken time to replicate on the final 12 months. From the arrival of my new companion and the retirement of my final one, to the sluggish and generally scary, albeit thrilling path Finn and I are taking.
If it hasn’t been obvious in my previous blogs, Finn and I are entered to compete in dressage on the Thoroughbred Makeover. Some days are higher than others. I nonetheless don’t really feel prepared, however does anybody at this stage of the sport? So, my objective is simply to get on the market and trip, to make this simply one other expertise and to proceed to construct the bond with Finn as that is simply the beginning of our journey collectively.
Finn is a mischievous, comfortable, snuggly boy with an excellent forelock and the beginning of an extended, thick tail (I LOVE a great tail!). Finn loves getting kisses on his nostril and he’s studying to provide kisses again. He has realized the routine of turning out and in, and loves his pasture mate Rio. He nonetheless thinks most treats are toxic, however LOVES those he eats. He even is aware of which pocket I carry them in and tries his hardest to nostril wiggle them out once I’m grooming and tacking him. He loves a great face massage as soon as the bridle is off, and should get his drink of water earlier than being hosed… these items are non-negotiable per Finn.
I’ve had virtually weekly classes on Finn since April with my wonderful buddy and coach Dona, in addition to a number of present experiences at completely different services, with every one getting higher than the final.
Our newest outing was on the Kentucky Horse Park for the USDF Area 2 Regionals present final month the place we competed within the open present receiving supportive scores and feedback from the judges and even being Excessive Level Thoroughbred for your complete present!
I couldn’t be prouder as Finn dealt with the busy ambiance like a seasoned present horse, if not higher. We had been even entered in a single final present this previous weekend however it bought rescheduled, thanks Hurricane Helene, signed sad dressage rider. Prayers to all affected!
This journey to the RRP has undoubtedly taken me out of my quiet, very private consolation zone, sharing our highlights, struggles, and my ideas, however I additionally should be grateful for it. Finn and I’ve met some wonderful individuals and we’ve probably the most supportive group standing not behind, however with us. Right here’s to the subsequent 10 days, Finn and I’ll see you on the opposite facet!
Erin Knehr replace on Cavalry Cost:
Subsequent week, it’s time! The previous couple of months of coaching flew by. We’ve got come to date however nonetheless have a lot to study. The final 5 weeks of coaching we went to a few completely different present venues with fairly a mix of outcomes.
Our first present throughout this time was our first indoor, and in a single day, present. Calvin remains to be getting heavy and a bit downhill within the turns, so we tried a brand new bit. It was a no thanks. I’m wondering what bit he raced in and if that’s authorized within the hunter ring? Absolutely, that they had extra brakes? We additionally added 95-degree temperatures and big overhead followers that had been turned on simply earlier than we entered the present ring. I can’t complain, he held it collectively however was simply actually grumpy and unsettled, and he confirmed an excessive amount of enthusiasm and pleasure of dragging me round for the hunters.
We completed the primary day and I made a decision to take him dwelling for the evening, flip him out, and check out once more the subsequent day. We additionally determined to remain on the 2’ top although I used to be initially planning on leaping him across the 2’6 on day two of the present. Sunday, I went again to his outdated bit, added ear plugs, and he went round like a star. We had been the one one in our division so, comfortable to say, we had been champion. The non-Thoroughbred Makeover crowd determined 95 levels in an indoor, even with a fan, was not definitely worth the sweat at the very least for the newbie hunter division.
A way more relaxed Calvin made his look on the subsequent two outings, and final weekend we lastly jumped round an enormous boy course. We’re signed as much as present in each the hunters and jumpers on the Thoroughbred Makeover, and the hunter division requires you to leap a 2’6 course and the jumper division requires you to leap a 0.8m (2’7) course. So, we went to a jumper education alternative and went across the 0.8m top. He was very nicely behaved.
Calvin jumped round just a little inexperienced within the first journey — whereas we may heat up, we weren’t in a position to soar the course previous to the precise journey. After he noticed the jumps the primary time, he switched into present mode and jumped with out a fear. One of many good issues in regards to the Thoroughbred Makeover is that the jumper division is just not timed. Proper now, with Calvin we’re all about consistency, in rhythm, tempo, and pleasure stage. So, leaping round untimed is ideal. We will go good and sluggish and never activate his racehorse want for velocity.
I’m more than happy the place we’re at in his coaching, however it’s arduous to foretell what’s going to occur on the present. He’s nonetheless very inexperienced and daily may be completely different, however I need this expertise to be constructive and I believe we’re ready to have a great expertise.
On the shoe entrance, it is a very uneventful month, thank goodness. As a consequence of his costly glue-on footwear, we’ve stored all the pieces connected to his physique. Not for lack of attempting, as one morning he was carrying a bell boot round his cannon. Nicely, that is it, cease by and go to us on the Kentucky Horse Park subsequent week at stall #628! Cavalry Cost and Embellished Invader are stabling buddies and can hopefully share some good luck with one another.
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.
