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 skilled them each, however I used to be able to take them to the Thoroughbred Makeover!
The weeks main as much as this occasion have 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 every part 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 follow with path obstacles. However, in fact, 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 have been supposed to depart 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. Finally, 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 and not using a hitch, and we hit the highway early Monday morning. About an hour in, we had a blowout on the trailer tire. We have been prepared to alter it, however guess what? We packed the unsuitable lug nut! Fortunately, we have been near house, so a buddy got here to the rescue with the suitable elements.
I didn’t wish to danger 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 high-quality that night, and on Tuesday morning they handed the vet verify with flying colours! I had labored onerous on their feeding routine to maintain their weight up and put together for the lengthy journey. Though Widget’s reduce wasn’t totally healed, we took him for a stroll across the park to acclimate him to the atmosphere. Drafted had been coaching in a bitless bridle resulting from mouth sensitivities, and he was performing properly. That afternoon, we schooled within the indoor enviornment, practising path obstacles and using within the out of doors arenas with none points. That night, we rehearsed our freestyle routine within the massive indoor enviornment, and every part felt on observe.
Wednesday was the day for Drafted’s path competitors. We had been practising onerous, however he generally struggles with massive crowds — undoubtedly a throwback to his racetrack days. As we approached the course, he acquired a bit of 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 wished in his bitless bridle, however we tackled the course with the horse I had at that second. We made it via seven obstacles earlier than time ran out. Whereas I used to be upset we didn’t get to finish the entire course, I used to be proud we did our greatest. We positioned 34th total 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 atmosphere, however he wasn’t his common self, and the reduce on his lip gave the impression to be bothering him. I made a decision to journey him solely through the checks and hoped for the most effective. He appeared elegant as we entered the sector, however he was uncomfortable and, in the end, we left earlier than ending. I found that the rubber bit had reopened his reduce, which defined his efficiency, however I used to be glad we made it to the makeover. I used to be capable of journey him across the Kentucky Horse Park in a bitless bridle, which he appeared to essentially get pleasure from. Sadly, we weren’t allowed to point out in it resulting from restrictions!
Thursday introduced Drafted’s freestyle routine. I felt assured after our follow, and our theme was “Get DRAFTED to the Makeover” with a army twist. Nonetheless, when Drafted noticed a big crowd throughout warm-up, he grew to become agitated. We managed to get him settled, however throughout our efficiency, he acquired overly excited, leading to an incident with the sulky. Fortunately, each my husband and Drafted have been unhurt, however the incident left me feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed. After a very good cry, I reminded myself that this was only 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 all the initiatives supported by The Jockey Membership.
