Retired Racehorse Training Project's 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge: Finale in Photos

On December 1, 2012, four horses (including one former Eclipse Champion) representing four Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms embarked on the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s (RRTP) 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge at Dodon Farm Training Center in Davidsonville, MD. Fans had the opportunity to see the horses in person at the Maryland Horse World Expo in January and also at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo in February. At the end of their 100-day training period, the horses were judged on conformation, movement, jumping ability, and trainability by guest riders, judges, and online fans. As the Thoroughbred Challenge unfolded, Sarah Andrew chronicled the horses’ progress. Please enjoy part 9 of this series. 

The wait is over, and so is the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo. Hooves were polished, manes were braided, and tack was cleaned. Fans cast their votes, and judges tallied their scores. A standing-room-only crowd of about 2,500 cheered them on. Here are the results of the 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge:

Best suited for dressage: Declan's Moon
Best suited for foxhunter and trail: Suave Jazz
Best suited for show hunter: Gunport
Best suited for show jumper: Alluring Punch
Best suited for eventer: Alluring Punch
The horse you'd most like to own: Alluring Punch

In an attempt to cover some of the excitement of the weekend, here is a photo gallery of he horses and some of the humans who played a part in the success of the weekend in Harrisburg:

I'll let you in on a secret... my vote for horse I'd like to own went to Suave Jazz. I voted for him because he seems like the kind of horse you can take anywhere and would be game for any adventure, from a horse show to a trail ride to sorting cattle. 

Suave Jazz showed intelligence, trainability, and nerves of steel all weekend long. He negotiated the "hockey rink" Large Arena and noisy Equine Arena, navigated the maze of corridors and stalls behind the scenes, handled the large crowd on Saturday, and also played the role of lead pony in all the sessions. 

More than once, I heard riders say, "Where's Suave Jazz?" and "Bring him over to Suave Jazz," and "Suave Jazz will help them settle." Gunport, Alluring Punch, and Declan's Moon all settled in the company of their cool, calm, collected friend, Suave Jazz. But when it was time to perform, he was all heart, nimbly cantering through grids and showing off his lovely flatwork. Rider Katie Klenk handled her role as leader with style, and they were always the first to enter an arena, jump a line, or meet a new challenge.

Knees up, neck arched, pretty little Gunport overcame her jitters and settled into her routine on Friday during a jumping session hosted by Steuart Pittman. Michelle Warro handled the mare with surgical precision and her instincts were perfect; she knew just when to encourage her to go forward and when to let her relax. Most importantly, Warro kept the mare moving and helped her focus on tasks, from flatwork to jumping.

On Saturday, Gunport was more nervous than she was in her Friday session. None of the horses had seen the Equine Arena before then, and they did their first-ever warmups in that ring in front of 2,500 people. Before she had a rider in the saddle, Gunport jigged and sweated. Her pal Suave Jazz and her excellent rider helped her to focus. The tempo of her gaits slowed as she settled, she remembered all her stretching exercises, and reached for the bit. By the end of the session, she was still hot and keyed up, but she was focused and forward. She attacked every jump with enthusiasm and style. And that canter of hers! It's lovely... round, light, and rhythmic.

Gunport got my vote for her suitability as an eventer. With a trainer like Warro, she will learn how to handle her jitters and slow down her feet, and I really like how she jumps. She is a generous horse, and her catlike agility could easily get her out of a tight spot to a fence.

Like Gunport, Declan's Moon was visibly rattled by Saturday's atmosphere. In their former careers on the track, Gunport and Alluring Punch never raced at tracks with huge crowds, but Suave Jazz and Declan's Moon both raced in front of thousands on their biggest days.

In his braids and white polo wraps, Declan's Moon looked every bit the part of a dressage horse. As he warmed up and listened to his rider, Steuart Pittman, he lost the nervous edge and began to show off a little of his spectacular gaits for the audience. Pittman also rode with calculated brilliance, and was able to engage the crowd with insightful training details while handling a powerful and opinionated horse at the same time.   

I should change Alluring Punch's TDN nickname from "The Kid" to "Mr. Popularity." He won three voting categories, and had an enthusiastic fan club and cheering section during Saturday's session. Each time I visited this year's RRTP class of horses, I ended up with a new favorite, and I saw Alluring Punch's appeal at the Maryland Horse World Expo, when he was unsure of what to do, but gamely listened to his rider and handlers. And watching how he handled his free jumping only made me like him more. 

I saw some uncertainty this weekend in Harrisburg, and "Punchy's" outstanding support team helped him figure things out. Chiantel Beaumont gave him confidence when she worked with him in the arenas and in the barn- his concern changed to curiosity and relaxation.

In Harrisburg, I saw a new focus in the way Alluring Punch worked. He was more sure of his abilities.  Under saddle, Steuart Pittman showed him how to use that lofty canter and powerful hind end to jump a line of fences. The tall chestnut has blossomed in just a few months, and the sky is the limit with him. 

On Saturday evening, I got to see Solidify, an RRTP graduate of last year's Trainer Challenge. I recognized his beautiful canter and jump, which has only improved with the quality training and riding he has received for the past year.  He and his talented rider have a bright future ahead of them.

Pictured below are Donnan Jones, Steuart Pittman, Nick Karazissis, and Bev Strauss. Thank you to all the judges, volunteers, fans, staff, trainers, and horses for making this year's challenge a huge success. If you'd like to support this effort and meet the horses, you can buy tickets for the graduation ceremony on March 9 in Maryland at Caves Farm. Click here for details: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4470469294#

- Sarah Andrew

Retired Racehorse Training Project's 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge: In Case You Missed It...

On December 1, 2012, four horses (including one former Eclipse Champion) representing four Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms embarked on the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s (RRTP) 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge at Dodon Farm Training Center in Davidsonville, MD. Fans had the opportunity to see the horses in person at the Maryland Horse World Expo in January and can also see them at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo in February. At the end of their 100-day training period, the horses will be judged on conformation, movement, jumping ability, and trainability by guest riders, judges, and online fans. As the Thoroughbred Challenge unfolds, Sarah Andrew will chronicle the horses’ progress. Please enjoy part 8 of this series. 

In Friday's hour-long session with the Retired Racehorse Training Project's class of 2013 at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo, spectators were treated to a mini jumping clinic and for some, their first glimpses of the horses. The RRTP horses all showed off everything they've learned during their stay at Dodon Farm, from lead changes to jumping little grids.

Gunport was her classic overachieving self, battling nerves in the beginning of the session, but eventually focusing on her job and gamely jumping all obstacles with tight knees and catlike agility. Michelle Warro expertly piloted Gunport, and kept the mare's feet moving until they settled into a rhythm.

Like Gunport, Alluring Punch began his session with a tight neck and a tense back as he eyeballed the intimidating arena and listened to the echoes of the microphone and audience. Once Steuart Pittman worked through some exercises on the flat and began taking little cross rails, the gelding recognized his routine, and rode through a little course and some gridwork with style. He still has a baby face and babyish mannerisms, but it actually looked like it was a help with his training- his expressions make it easier to read his body language. By the end of the session, after Pittman dismounted, "Punchy" stood quietly in hand, nuzzling people and taking in his surroundings with curiosity- it was a far cry from the horse he was when he entered the arena an hour earlier.

Suave Jazz lived up to his name, yet again, and was suave indeed. From the last time I saw him in January, his neck and hindquarters have rounded and become quite defined with all the careful, quality training that he has received at Dodon Farm. I also noticed more reach in his trot. During the demo, he did not put a foot wrong the entire time, and handled the arena, the jumps, and the work with Fonzie-like cool. Katie Klenk is a great fit for him, since she stays out of his way and encourages him to relax and loosen up.

Saturday is the big day. Judges will evaluate the horses and a large, enthusiastic crowd is expected. Please be sure to vote for the horses at the RRTP website, and I hope to see you at the Expo!

- Sarah Andrew

Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge: Time to VOTE!

On December 1, 2012, four horses (including one former Eclipse Champion) representing four Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms embarked on the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s (RRTP) 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge at Dodon Farm Training Center in Davidsonville, MD. Fans had the opportunity to see the horses in person at the Maryland Horse World Expo in January and can also see them at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo the following month. At the end of their 100-day training period, the horses will be judged on conformation, movement, jumping ability, and trainability by guest riders, judges, and online fans. As the Thoroughbred Challenge unfolds, Sarah Andrew will chronicle the horses’ progress. Please enjoy part 7 of this series. 

The Pennsylvania Horse World Expo is underway. The RRTP horses shipped from their home base at Dodon Farm in Maryland and are now in Harrisburg, PA. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you have opportunities to see the horses in person- you can view the schedule of events here: http://www.horseworldexpo.com/PAmain.shtml  

At the Expo, three judges will evaluate the horses and cast their votes for the horses with the most potential in a variety of disciplines. The judges are Nick Karazissis, Bev Strauss, and Donnan Jones. 

In addition to the judges' votes, the horses' scores will include public votes, which is where YOU come in... it's time to cast your vote. You can register and vote here: http://retiredracehorsetraining.org/

Before you do, please be sure to evaluate the videos for each of the horses. 

Declan's Moon:

The Pons Family at the Maryland Horse World Expo

Gunport

Suave Jazz

Alluring Punch

 

I'll see you in Harrisburg!

- Sarah Andrew

Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge: MD Horse World Expo- Day 1

On December 1, 2012, four horses (including one former Eclipse Champion) representing four Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred farms embarked on the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s (RRTP) 100 Day Thoroughbred Challenge at Dodon Farm Training Center in Davidsonville, MD. Fans will have the opportunity to see the horses in person at the Maryland Horse World Expo in January and the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo the following month. At the end of their 100-day training period, the horses will be judged on conformation, movement, jumping ability, and trainability by guest riders, judges, and online fans. As the Thoroughbred Challenge unfolds, Sarah Andrew will chronicle the horses’ progress. Please enjoy part 6 of this series. 

Suave Jazz and Ramon Dominguez at Belmont Park on June 7, 2008 before the GII True North H.

Attendance for the 2013 Maryland Horse World Expo was excellent. Spectators were treated to a dose of mild January weather, and horse lovers from near and far jammed the Timonium parking lot and perched in the bleachers in the Exhibition Hall Arena on Friday to catch their first glimpses of Alluring Punch, Declan's Moon, and Suave Jazz.

Alluring Punch walks to the Exhibition Hall Arena

Gunport, the gunmetal-grey Mizzen Mast filly, missed all the fun and stayed on the farm for the weekend nursing a sore hock. According to the RRTP blog, it looked like she might have gotten kicked by a pasturemate, but it is healing nicely and she should return to work very soon. Sympathy pain must have been in the air, because Gunport's ace rider, Michelle Warro, also ended up on the sidelines for the weekend with three broken bones in her foot from an unfortunate furniture-moving incident. Warro was in attendance at the Expo, on crutches, gamely supporting the RRTP team.

Chiantel Beaumont and Alluring Punch

Before the Friday session, I visited the horses in their stalls. The three RRTP geldings sported sleek new body clips, and they greeted the crowd from their stalls like the equine celebrities that they are. People peered through their stall bars and snapped iPhone photos, and they handled it like old pros. Suave Jazz watched the hustle and bustle with quiet interest. Declan's Moon took the longest to settle in to the new environment, and relaxed in a quieter stall before the first event. Alluring Punch, the youngest of the group, actually seemed to like the crowd the best, and curiously nosed adults and children alike. Any jitters he had were calmed by the RRTP team, including Chiantel Beaumont (pictured above). Wide-eyed, he scanned his surroundings as the horses made their way from the barn to the arena. 

Alluring Punch curiously eyes the equine paparazzi

Past cars, trailers, and dozens of horses, a through a cavernous door, into a dark waiting area, the horses made their way to the exhibition arena. They were on their toes, but walked in a perfect line, like they once did in training sets in their former careers as racehorses heading out to the track in the morning.

Declan's Moon and the RRTP crew head out of the barn to the Friday session

The Expo scene is a lot for a horse to process, but for horses off the track, they were specially schooled for moments just like these. Before their first start, many green racehorses are schooled in the paddock in the afternoon during a race day. They are walked around the paddock, and asked to stand quietly for saddling. Some walking rings are outdoors, some are sunken areas in front of the track, and some are indoors. The walking ring at the track features all the elements that these horses encountered at the Expo: vendors, PA systems with announcers, cheering/applauding crowds, hustle and bustle, bleachers, signs, flags, machinery, and so much more.

Suave Jazz at Belmont Park on June 7, 2008 before the GII True North H.

For a horse like Suave Jazz (pictured above), the Expo was a tiny fraction of what he saw on his biggest racing days. On June 7, 2008, he ran in the Grade 2 True North Handicap on the Belmont Stakes undercard. This was the year that Big Brown made his bid for Triple Crown glory, and there were almost 95,000 people in attendance on that hot, steamy day. Compared to the roar of an enthusiastic crowd of 95,000 racing fans, the polite clapping of the Horse World Expo audience was small potatoes. I took another look at Suave Jazz's past performances, and I've seen him race in person at least three times: twice at Belmont on two consecutive Belmont Stakes Days, and once at Monmouth Park during Haskell Week.

Valerie Shepard jogs Declan's Moon for Steuart Pittman

Friday's Expo event was an hour-long session about conformation, movement, and jumping. Adding to the RRTP disabled list on Friday was Declan's Moon, who was a little sore from a slip during from the morning's trailer unloading. Pictured above, Valerie Shepard jogs Declan for RRTP President Steuart Pittman, who looks understandably concerned. By the next day, Declan was sound again, moving perfectly, and ready for under-saddle work.

Suave Jazz is suave indeed

And then there were two. It was up to Suave Jazz and Alluring Punch to wow the crowd, and that they did. Suave Jazz, "The Professor," must have studied extra hours on Thursday night; he trotted, cantered, and jumped brightly and neatly, flagging his tail in high spirits. His back is tighter and his movement is not as extravagant as his RRTP schoolmates, but I already see nice improvement in his gaits as he transitions from a seven-year racing career to his life as a sporthorse.

Suave Jazz

His free jumping style is quick and tidy, with less bascule and a little flatter of an arc. He handled the oxer, which was about 3' or 3'3", with ease. Steuart remarked that Suave Jazz could probably make a fine timber racer, with his careful and nimble style. 

Suave Jazz

Next up was Alluring Punch, "The Kid." He greenly ogled the crowd as he was put through his paces, but impressed the heck out of me with his movement and jumping style. The arena was not very big, but he handled the free jumping chute with the greatest of ease.  The sky is the limit with this horse.

Alluring Punch

Alluring Punch

Stay tuned for part 2 of the Maryland Horse World Expo adventure!

- Sarah Andrew

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar raised over $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Thanks to your generous purchases, the 2013 calendar has already raised over $50,000! We are down to our very last box of calendars- order now before they are all sold out. 100% of the proceeds are donated.

Please click here to order calendars- they make GREAT gifts!