In photos: Monmouth Park stands strong in the wake of Hurricane Sandy

Bazinga Rules is cozy and safe in trainer Tim Shaw's barn at Monmouth Park

 In the wake of the devastating superstorm Sandy, Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ stands strong. Horses and humans weathered the winds and flooding, and now crews are cleaning up in the aftermath.

Since I live just a few miles from the track, I received many inquiries from people who were concerned for the safety of the horses and humans at Monmouth. On Monday morning, I visited the track and photographed buildings, barns, and the surrounding areas.   

Most barns were able to shelter horses in the storm, but about six barns were evacuated due to flooding and flood damage.  Before the storm, horses from those barns were moved to higher ground, and all horses are warm and dry. Damage to the barns is under evaluation.

The track surface needs to be evaluated, so all training at the track is cancelled for the year (Monmouth is open for simulcasting).  For their daily exercise, horses play in round pens, walk with their grooms, and jog the shedrow under tack.

Part of the fence around the track was damaged in the storm.

A week after the storm, people at the track are still cleaning up the branches, debris, and leaves around the barns.

The track is about a mile from the ocean. At the height of the storm, this building at the stable entrance flooded past the window sills.

Inside the building, desk drawers are still filled with flood water.

The offices in the building suffered flood damage, and are still drying out.

In the summer, Monmouth Park's parking lots are filled with spectators' cars, but today, rows of utility trucks fill the lots. The lots are beehives of activity, and trucks from all over the United States are coming and going, working hard to bring power back to the houses and businesses of hurricane victims.

There is a steady stream of trucks driving in and out of the parking lot as they are deployed to different parts of the Jersey Shore.

In the parking lot across the street from the grandstand, trucks were loaded and filled with supplies.

The spacious parking lots are a perfect place for a large-scale relief operation like this.

Water and many other critically-needed supplies are being distributed as part of the relief effort.

Tents in the parking lot serve as a place for utility workers and first responders to rest.

Tractor trailers deliver supplies to the tents in the Monmouth Park parking lot.

Several boats safely weathered the storm in the Monmouth Park parking lot.

Residents post these notes of encouragement and gratitude for the hurricane relief effort workers and volunteers.

To help with the hurricane relief effort, please visit the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund: https://sandynjrelieffund.org/index.html

 Volunteers in New Jersey are being coordinated through an emergency response hotline, 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397). Alternate numbers, for when the hotline isn’t staffed, include 609-775-5236 and 908-303-0471 or e-mails can be sent to Rowena.Madden@sos.state.nj.us.

 

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.  

 

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

 

 

 -Sarah Andrew

Fall For Horses Charity Horse Show in photos... NJ and Thoroughbreds: Perfect Together

Volunteers are gearing up in Maryland for next weekend's Furlongs to Fences Thoroughbred Show. The following week, Virginia kicks off the November Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Show. But this past weekend, Thoroughbreds ruled the Garden State.  

On Sunday, the Fall For Horses All Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show was hosted at the Horse Park of New Jersey by Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement, a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to New Jersey’s off-track Thoroughbreds. Serving as the exclusive aftercare program for Monmouth Park, Second Call's mission is to assist and ensure that retired racehorses find a second career. 

In addition to picture-perfect weather and over 30 diverse Thoroughbred-only classes, the show featured an eclectic group of vendors (food, gifts, equine/pet supplies, radio stations, volunteer organizations), pumpkin painting, book signings, raffles, special racehorse guests, prizes, and kids' games.

It's not easy to keep an event as big as a horse show running smoothly, but the NJ volunteers made Sunday's outing a wonderful success. It was a well-organized show, with helpful volunteers, great prizes, and a very fun atmosphere. I rarely show my horse, but I think that even I could be convinced to enter a few classes next year.  

Highlights of the day were the $1500 hunter stakes class, sponsored by Turning For Home, and a $250 jumper stakes class sponsored by Brandon W. Furlong, M.V.B. Equine Veterinarian, but the varied prize list also included dressage, costume, equitation, itty-bitty jumper, and fresh-off-the-track classes.

 Although I only had a little time to spend at the show that morning, I was treated to a dazzling display of what the Thoroughbred has to offer, from graceful dressage horses, to elegant hunters, to high-octane jumpers, to game equitation horses, to classy in-hand models.

Tyra Wiegers, trainer Emily Daignault, and Zreasun (1-0-0-0; $0)

I was delighted to see a few familiar faces, both from the racing world and from the rescue world. The last time I saw Fagedaboudit Gal, she was very thin and sore, and was sold to the feedlot at Camelot Auction. 

Fagedaboudit Gal (30-2-2-1; $86,932)

Now, she is sleek, shiny, and sound, thanks to Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement and her new owner. During the show, she greeted visitors and happily accepted carrots from fans.

Fagedaboudit Gal (30-2-2-1; $86,932)

Fagedaboudit Gal (30-2-2-1; $86,932)

Fagedaboudit Gal (30-2-2-1; $86,932)

Here are a few other horses who might be familiar faces to racing fans:

Stakes winner Fleet Valid (28-9-6-5; $382,516)

Stakes winner Fleet Valid (28-9-6-5; $382,516) and Erin Inman

Thewifedoesntknow (32-3-7-4; $95,144) and Carole Davison

Sher Got A Shot (4-1-0-0; $10,045) and Kirstyn Nuenson

Oula Moola (4-1-0-0; $11,400) and Madison Dorschutz

Saintly Sir (1-0-0-0; $250) and Jennifer Duelfer

True George (17-3-2-3; $45,016) and Melissa Smith

Hearts Flashy Fire (67-7-8-9; $178,421) and Damon Sheppard

 

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.  

 

Please click here to reserve your copy now for late October delivery 

 

 

 -Sarah Andrew

Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Q&A with trainer Tim Shaw

Thewifedoesntknow heads to the track before a race in May 2012. Photo © Mike Carroll

Part 5 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral Monmouth Park YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 
  

• Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race
  

Recently, I've met a few hunter/jumper Thoroughbreds who were trained by Timothy Shaw when they were at the track.  Each of these horses are sound, athletic, and full of personality. I contacted Tim about his former trainee, Thewifedoesntknow; he was kind enough to share his thoughts about her, as well as provide some insight about the transition from racetrack to show ring.    

TDN: How did you get started training Thoroughbreds and how long have you been training?

Shaw: I was always been drawn to animals. As a child in Ireland, I would spend every moment I had at a friend's family farm. I couldn't get enough of it. That changed when we moved back here. I went to college and had a "normal" job. I went to the races one day... I bet a horse... she won... and I met the trainer (Dan Perlsweig), who invited me to the barn the next morning and BOOM. Next thing you know, I'm back in a barn and couldn't get enough of it again. I've been training for 12 years now. Life just has some strange twists.

Trainer Tim Shaw and dearly-departed canine companion, Flynn

 TDN: What kind of personality did Thewifedoesntknow have when she was in training with you?

Shaw: She always had a classy way of handling herself. She never got upset about much and was very professional and easy to work with. She knew her job every day and was eager to do it. Her favorite hobby was eating and she pursued it with vigor. I was just happy to have a filly that loved to eat.

TDN: If a horse has potential to be a show horse, is it something you can see when the horse is still in training at the track?

Shaw: I'm learning more and more about what makes a good show horse. My girlfriend Alicia Morgan has a show barn and she taught me about what she looks for. It basically comes down to being a natural athlete. When I deal with a horse on the track that has beautiful movement, and good head carriage, and engages the hind end without us teaching them to do it... that's a good sign. Usually Alicia just punches me and says "That one when it's done." She really wanted to work with The Wife but we have gotten involved with a couple of broodmares and a few retirees already. We wouldn't have had the proper time to devote to her and she deserved it.

TDN: For our readers who are unfamiliar with racing, can you give us an example of a typical schedule for a horse who is in your barn?

Shaw: The track opens at 5:30am, so our first horses hit the track very early. At about 4am, the stalls are cleaned and water buckets and feed tubs scrubbed. We have a couple of round pens and try and get a few out for 30 minutes or so. We are a bit restricted at the track as far as facilities. We don't have traditional paddocks. We try and get the horses who have raced the previous day, or had a hard workout, in the round pens to kick up their heels a bit. Every horse gets bathed after turnout or training, then walked about 30 minutes, followed by about 15 minutes of hand grazing. Then it's back to the stall for an alfalfa snack followed by a good grooming, liniment, and at about 10:30, morning grain. Generally, if it's not a race day, the barn is peaceful and quiet by 11am.

TDN: With all the recent news articles, Thoroughbreds are getting more attention both in the media and in the show ring. What can owners and trainers do at the track and upon retirement to ensure that their horses make a successful transition into their second career as pleasure/show horses?

Shaw: Be careful about where your horse goes. Finding a home for a horse is very easy. Finding a proper home is not. This horse, no matter at what level it competed, ran its heart out for you. Check references and be sure that the people are qualified and knowledgeable about horses. In addition, as in the case of The Wife, if the horse's form deteriorates for no apparent reason, it's trying to tell you something. Don't "drain the lemon". Give the horse a chance at another career.

TDN: Once a horse is retired from racing and is in a new home, do you have any advice for helping the horse get acclimated to the new lifestyle?

Shaw: Treat it with respect, but don't fear it because it's a "hot" Thoroughbred. Remember where it has come from. It's trained for speed, is fed a high-energy diet, and for the most part, has limited turnout. On the other hand, the track is full of noises. For example, what track do you know of that has a train that runs right through the stable area? We have that at Monmouth. This is in addition to the cars, trucks, trailers, loudspeakers and every conceivable noise you can imagine. If a horse can get used to that, your barn with the scary vertical is a piece of cake. Use common sense and listen to the horse. It will tell you.

-Sarah Andrew

Thewifedoesntknow's Training Blog: Q&A with Jockey Shannon Uske

 Part 3 in a series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and race call by Monmouth Park announcer Larry Collmus. 

Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1
Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

When Thewifedoesntknow broke prematurely from the gate before the fourth race at Monmouth Park on June 3, racing fans witnessed a few dicey moments. All horses, riders, and gate crew workers were uninjured, thanks to the skill and dedication of these horsemen and women, including the mare's jockey, Shannon Uske.

Thewifedoesntknow #9 breaks prematurely from the gate with jockey Shannon Uske aboard, as Assistant Starter Tyler Kayes, who was pulled out of the gate, takes cover below a leaping Sitora #8 in the fourth race on Sunday June 3, 2012 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. All horses and riders, as well as Kayes were uninjured.  Hunter/jumper riders, you were always taught that a balanced rider has a straight line from ankle to hip to shoulder and also a straight line from the bit to the rider's elbow. This can apply to jockeys as well. Note how Shannon maintains her balance with strong equitation. Photos By David Owens/EQUI-PHOTO

I've known Shannon since she was 9 years old. We boarded and rode together at the same barns for many years, and I had the pleasure of watching her pursue her dream to become a jockey. I rooted her on as she cleaned up in jumper classes with her fantastic mare, Sweety (Jockey Club name: Plum Graceful), and I cheered her on at the racetrack from Gulfstream to Saratoga.

Once I heard that Shannon recommended Thewifedoesntknow as a sporthorse prospect to hunter/jumper trainer Carole Davison, I had to know more about the story:

TDN: For those who are unfamiliar with your riding background, how long have you been riding hunter/jumpers and how long have you been a jockey? Do you have horses of your own? 

Shannon: I have been riding hunter/jumpers for 19 years now and a jockey for almost 10. I do have horses of my own. I still enjoy getting green horses and retraining them, plus I have my one horse that I will keep forever named Playboy. I love working with horses, but the racehorses are all business so its nice to have my own to enjoy and work with.

Shannon Uske and Playboy

 TDN: When you are riding horses in the morning and before races, do some of them naturally "feel" like hunters, dressage horses, etc.? Do you notice it more in their movement, or in how they respond to a rider?

Shannon: Yes, I do get on some horses and think that they will make great hunter/jumper or dressage horses when they are done. Part of it is the way they move, but mostly the way they are put together and carry themselves. Their response to the rider is also important, although I feel that their response has more to do with how quickly they can be retrained to their new career. Some I feel can be ready to show in 4-6 weeks (usually the slow uncompetitive ones), where others may take 6 months.

 TDN: What qualities did you see in Thewifedoesntknow that caused you to recommend her to Carole Davison as a hunter prospect?

Shannon: I was only on Thewife in the afternoon, but she had a nice, athletic build and carried herself very well throughout the warm up. She was smooth with a natural head set and wasn't a nervous horse.

 TDN: What advice would you give to people who are thinking of training a Thoroughbred off the track to be a show horse?

Shannon: I think Thoroughbreds are great show horses. They are very willing to please and have big hearts. I think that as long as you are a confident, patient rider, you will do well with a Thoroughbred.

Shannon Uske and her Thoroughbred, Playboy. Photo ©Sarah Andrew

TDN: What advice do you have for people who want to become jockeys and exercise riders?

Shannon: For exercise riders or even a jock, if you are too young for the track, I would say riding any green horse will help teach you a lot for the future. If you're old enough to get a job at the track, I would find a farm with a track and get on horses to learn the basics of galloping or go somewhere to break babies and start them galloping. Knowing the basics before you get to the real track definitely helps. There's so many horses and riders on the track that it would be a difficult place to learn. To become a jock takes a lot of hard work and persistence. I would recommend finding a trainer with a big barn that can help teach you and look after you to get you started. Listen to the people around you and watch and observe what other riders do. It will help you learn what's good and bad. Being in a big barn will allow you to get on all kinds of horses, which will better prepare you for the afternoon where you may not have ever been on the horse you are racing. They will also help you progress as you are ready. I was fortunate to wind up with Allen Jerkens. He had 45 horses at the time and they were all so different, it really helped me learn how to deal with almost any kind of horse. He is also a great horseman with a lot of good insight and advice so long as you listened. When I started, the jocks would also give me good tips and advice. Just always listen and take into consideration what people are telling you, I guess is the best advice. 

Shannon Uske at Atlantic City Race Course in 2007

Stay tuned next week for photos and the newest update on Thewifedoesntknow and her training progress. Rumor has it she is doing quite well!

 -Sarah Andrew