Post-Thanksgiving Update

Our horses (and staff/interns/and volunteers) took the week off for the Thanksgiving holiday (with wonderful volunteers coming in to check on the horses out in their pastures and feed them of course :)

Susie Boy ("Cash") moved to Missouri as he was adopted by a beginner rider who dreams of becoming an accomplished equestrian-a nearby trainer will be continuing Cash's training while Cash trains his new owner in the joys of riding. Stalker ("Stalk") was also adopted and will soon be leaving for to Long Island to be a junior rider's show horse. We wish Cash, Stalk and their new owners the best of luck.

Un Amor Impossivel ("Bolivar") came back to us and is back up for adoption! Bolivar is a BIG (16.2 and big-boned), beautiful chestnut boy who will excel at eventing-he's 9 years old but needs a home where a patient, experienced rider can bring him along slowly (he came back to us from his last home resentful of a lot of leg).

McAndrews ("Mac") came from the same farm as Bolivar and is an even-bigger (17.2), just as beautiful bay that will make an excellent eventer or show horse someday (he's only 5)!

Bryan's Account ("Bryan") is a 7yo, 16hh bay that would make a nice project horse for an intermediate rider.

We will close for the winter in 16 days and these three horses+You Lucky Devil ("Lucky"), Ma Jouet ("Maggie"), Bilndots Big Peach ("Peaches"), and Twitchy Witch ("Twitch") still need to be adopted (or fostered). Please contact us if you or someone you know would be interested in coming out to see one of these horses!

Field Trip, Horse Show, and Sponsors-Oh My!

The interns took their second field trip this weekend, to KESMARC and Woodford Equine Hospital.

Some of the MMSC Team with our equine dentist, Victor Torres (holding his horse head, "The Professor"). Victor showed us around KESMARC's facilities and then demonstrated how different bits fit into "The Professor's" mouth.

I couldn't resist adding this, isn't Juliet the cutest little thing you've ever seen? KESMARC takes horses of all breeds and sizes!

Some of the MMSC Team with our tour guide at Woodford Equine Hospital, Katie!

On Sunday, communications intern Erin Clark (that's me!) and Susie Boy ("Cash") received 3rd, 4th, and 5th place ribbons at Cash's first horse show, exactly one month (to the day) after he started training for his new career as a pleasure and show horse!

MMSC Show and Demonstration Horse Fly Light wore her custom blankets to the show, donated by Katrina Coldren and The Clothes Horse that arrived, after much anticipation, last week. Thank you, Katrina, for providing Fly with a wardrobe that includes a stable blanket, turnout blanket, sheet, rainsheet, cooler, scrim, and quarter sheet. We hope to repay your generosity by displaying your logo around the KY Horse Park and at all of our future shows and demonstrations!

Another thank you to Sallee Horse Vans for transporting Fly and Cash to the show. Getting the horses off campus, exposing them to different surroundings and getting show experience, makes them more adoptable as well as increases our presence in the horse show community. People that would not consider a thoroughbred ex-racehorse as their next show horse get an opportunity to see them in the show ring, and none of this would be possible without you. In our experiences with Sallee over the past few months we have been incredibly impressed with the level of professionalism and helpfulness of your staff!

We also welcome a new sponsor, Charles Owen, who graciously responded to Adoption Coordinator Melissa DeCarlo's request for helmets for the MMSC Staff, as, riding ex-racehorses fresh from the track, we do tend to fall off every once in awhile :) They took our request one step further and are providing us with safety vests so that we can take the horses that choose to be eventers when they "grow up" out on the KY Horse Park cross-country course and to events!

Adoption Weekend!

We took a weekend off our show and demo schedule to focus on getting our horses adopted out, and we did that in a BIG way. We had deposits put down on all of our horses except Ma Jouet ("Maggie")-if you know a junior rider who would like a safe and sound, talented, "project" pony who, with a little work, will be the star of their pony club or champion in their children's hunt classes, let them know about this little girl. Her adoption fee is $2000, and remember, its tax deductible (also remember, the holiday season is right around the corner :)! Here is the most recent video we have of her.

Noproblem for Dino ("Dino") moved to Michigan to get the time and training he needs from a rider who prefers that her show partners be thoroughbred ex-racehorses! Her previous two projects are now in full retirement, leading lives of leisure at her home. I Am Said I ("Sam") was also adopted, by a lady who has taken a seven-year hiatus from horseback riding and wants a calm, gracious partner to help her get back to her old level. We wish Dino, Sam and their new owners, Kelly and Lindsey, the best of luck!

We are resuming horse showing Saturday, Melissa will be showing Fly and I will be showing Susie Boy ("Cash") at the KHJA Show at Lakeside Arena in Frankfort, KY. Come out and support us!

Horse Show Weekend!

MMSC Show Horse, Fly Light ("Fly") and Adoptions and Volunteer Coordinator and Educational Programs Director, Melissa DeCarlo have had quite the busy show and demonstration schedule this October, competing in three shows and giving demonstrations at The Secretariat Festival and Keeneland Race Track. This past weekend, they showed at the Snowbird Dressage Show hosted by the Kentucky Dressage Association here at the Kentucky Horse Park. They did progressively better as the day went on, earning 6th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place ribbons. Training intern Emily Andari showed Impressive John R ("John") to give him some show (and indoor arena) experience for his new owner. MMSC graduate Testament was shown by his new trainer and sitting in the stands, I heard quite a lot of people that knew his story whispering "that's an ex-racehorse?!"

Fly Light

Impressive John R

Testament

We picked up another new horse this weekend, Stalk, a 4 yo, 16hh, SOLID chestnut. He's an easy-going guy who came to us having already been jumped and even ridden bareback. He's ready to go to a new home where he will excel at just about anything; eventing, foxhunting, or showing-or all three!

Twitchy Witch came back to us this weekend to find a new home, as her owner decided to concentrate all of her efforts on the other horse she adopted from us, Shooby Dooby Doo. Twitch is a 5 yo, 16hh beautiful bay mare, who was originally adopted to be a Rolex contender. If you can devote the time and experience this young mare needs she will take you all the way to the top.

We are taking a week off of horse-showing to give our last demonstration of the season and show some of our horses to prospective buyers. If you would like to see how we educate the non-horsey folk that tour the KHP, then come out for our demo at 12pm (or, you can be picked up from the Breeds Barn at 11:45am and ride to the MMSC in our horse van, "Big Agnes"). Or, if you are interested in adopting one of our horses give us a call and we'd be happy to show them to you!

Another busy weekend!

It was another busy weekend here at the MMSC! Melissa and Fly showed in their first combined training event, Octoberfest, hosted by Champagne Run here at the Kentucky Horse Park and placed 11th. Fly was amazing at stadium jumping, but while she looked good during dressage, it was clear she was looking for something to jump! Former training intern Hayley Barbato placed 2nd on her 4yo filly and fomer training/farm management intern Hannah Brand showed the horse she adopted, Lucky.

In between watching Melissa and Fly show we adopted out Take the Balance ("Henry) and Impressive John R ("John"). Henry will soon start his show career while John will be ridden in lessons, on trails, and even do a little showing himself! Best of luck to Henry, John and their new owners, Mandy and Cheryl!

We hear that many of you were a part of the team that got Cash to us are interested in his progress. Cash is a fantastic riding horse, so smart (we sometimes refer to him as "Bill Gates") and so eager to please. His first time under saddle (11 days after he last raced) he was taught to walk, trot, canter, circle and halt (while the hay was being unloaded via a very scary looking machine!). 14 days after he last raced he stood quietly while a group of toddlers and children all under the age of five groomed him and blew in his nose to greet him! We are so thankful to you all for finding us such a fantastic horse, and Cash is certainly appreciative of your efforts as well. No horse deserves the fate that would have awaited him, especially a horse as smart and eager to please as he.

We are heading to yet another horse show this weekend, the Snowbird Winter Dressage Series. Melissa will be showing Fly and training intern Emily Andari will be showing John for his new owner. It will take place here at the Kentucky Horse Park in the old indoor arena. Melissa will show at 9:24, 9:48, 11:12 and 11:43am and Emily will show at 2:30pm. Come out and support them!

Adoptable Horses

December 15 the MMSC will be closing our doors until March 2010. We currently have six horses that need to find new homes. If we successfully place them we will have placed 32 horses this year, just eight away from our goal (which we have not yet given up on)! Following are brief descriptions of our six adoptable horses (click on their photographs to view videos)! Remember, your adoption fee is tax deductable! Also, if you are unsure about making a year-round commitment, consider fostering one of our horses for the winter!

I Am Said I "Sam"

Sam is such a sweet guy with a gentle personality. He is looking for a home where he can introduce a beginner or intermediate rider to the joys of riding and horse ownership. Easy and smooth to ride, he is perfect for riding lessons, trail riding, or beginning dressage work.


You Lucky Devil "Lucky"

Lucky came to us after a stint as a therapuetic riding horse, but didn't have enough basic training, however, to understand what his job was. He is seeking a soul mate, preferably one who likes natural horsemanship, who can help this athletic guy figure out what he wants to be when he "grows up."


Ma Jouet "Maggie"

Maggie is a cute little (14.3hh) girl who would love to find a junior rider to further her education and feed her peppermints! She will shine in pony club or in children's hunter circles. Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa: Christmas is right around the corner!



Susie Boy "Cash"

We also call him "Bill Gates" because he's so smart! Ten days after he ran his last race he was walking, trotting, cantering, circling, and halting like an old pro! Cash is so eager to please he will do whatever it is his rider wants him to! He is a lovely, hunter type mover.


Noproblemfor Dino "Dino"

Dino is the grandson of Secretariat and if you haven't read the touching story of his rescue yet, you should here. Dino is so anxious to please, to the point that he gets a tense back, but that is quickly resolving! With the right rider he will make an excellent prospect for whatever discipline he chooses, stay tuned!


Bilndots Big Peach "Peaches"

You would never guess that Peaches is only three, when we let him loose his first day with us, he just put his head down and started munching grass! He is an easy-going guy with lovely natural gaits, a level head, and real presence. He will make a superb event horse with time and training.

An incredible weekend at Keeneland!

A big thanks to Fran Taylor and Maker's Mark for setting up the most incredible weekend ever for the MMSC team! On Saturday, we loaded up Fly (in a Sallee Horse Van that they provided free of charge) and took her to Keeneland to give a demonstration on our mission of re-training ex-racehorses. Poor little girl's stall was facing the track where the race horses were in the midst of their morning workouts and she was quite anxious to know what she was doing back there, but she behaved beautifully throughout the demo, proving to all who were in attendance just how smart and brave thoroughbred ex-racehorses can be. Fly and Melissa will be competing this weekend at Octoberfest here at the Kentucky Horse Park. Keep checking our Twitter for details.

After the demo, Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron gave the MMSC team a behind-the-scenes tour of the racetrack. While in the empty jockey room who should walk in but both Calvin Borel and Kent Desormeaux! We told them a little bit about the Center and they were nice enough to pose for pictures with us!

The MMSC Team with Chris McCarron.

The MMSC Team with Calvin Borel.

The MMSC Team with Kent Desormeaux.

Finally, Director of Guest Relations, Susan Haehlen, gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the clubhouse, the skyboxes, and the press box. We rounded out the tour by peeking in Keeneland President Nick Nicholson's office and stopping by former President Ted Bassett's book-signing.

The MMSC Team with Susan Haehlen.

The MMSC Team with Ted Bassett.

Thank you to all who made this day at Keeneland possible! We had a fun-filled, educational day and while educating the public and furthering our mission!

Turning the barn inside out!

After a weekend of 12-hour+ days prepping for and putting on Secretiques, the MMSC team took a much-needed and well-deserved weekend off (with someone coming each day to feed and check on the horses, of course :).

Even better than a successful fundraiser was the fact that we adopted out two of our horses, who will leave to lead their new lives this weekend! After spending less than one month with us, Un Amor Impossivel ("Bolivar") was adopted and we will wish him farewell Friday when he will start a new career as an eventer! Proper Authority ("Judge") was returned to us in September, and after an equally short stay, he heads to his new home Sunday, where he will be fox hunting, eventing, and trail riding! We wish the best of luck to Bolivar and Judge and their new owners Sarah and Kirsten!

In their place we welcome four new horses! No Problem For Dino ("Dino") is a 6yo 16hh grandson of Secretariat who was rescued from Sugarcreek auction, read his story here. He was ridden for the first time yesterday and needs a little work but with some retraining and weight gain he will make someone a great horse! Ma Jouet ("Maggie") is a 6yo 14.3hh mare who wants to be some lucky kid's dream horse, she loves being played with and fed peppermints! She was ridden for the first time in 3 years yesterday and was so well-behaved, doing just what was asked of her and never once bucking or rearing!

Dino

Maggie (to put her size in perspective, Melissa is 5'1" riding in a 17 1/2" saddle)

We just unloaded Susie Boy ("Cash") and Bilndots Big Peach ("Big Peach") and got them settled in! Cash is a 6yo 15.3hh gelding who is fresh off the track! We look forward to finding out what he wants to be now! Big Peach is a 3yo 16.2hh (yes, he's going to be BIG) gelding who was left alone on a farm in Florida for 6 months and was rescued by the trainer who owns his sire. When it was obvious that Big Peach didn't want to be a racehorse, his trainer was kind enough to contact us and see if we wanted to help Big Peach figure out what he wants to be-of course we said yes!

Cash checking out the surroundings as he's being unloaded from the trailer

Big Peach right after being turned out, promptly put his head down and started munching grass, not your typical 3yo TB behavior!

More pictures to come of these two when its not pouring rain!

Greetings from the newest communications intern!

Greetings from the newest equine communications intern! I am Erin Clark, a senior at the University of Kentucky! Joining the MMSC Team with me are training intern Emily Andari, a sophomore at Georgetown college, and farm management intern Jana Clark, an attendee at University of Louisville. Below are Me, Emily and Jana posing around (in Emily's case on) "Secretariat"). My first weekend here, Adoptions and Volunteer Coordinator and Educational Programs Director Melissa DeCarlo showed Fly Light ("Fly") and Take the Balance ("Henry") in their first ever horse show, the Woodford Hounds Country Fair and Horse Show! Fly won three first place ribbons and two third place ribbons and was named Grand Champion of her division (yes, at her first ever show!). Here are some photos of our Champion and her new owner, MMSC's own Melissa DeCarlo!

Melissa plans to show Fly as a MMSC horse and The Clothes Horse has graciously agreed to make Fly a full wardrobe of custom made blankets in MMSC's teal and black with a Clothes Horse logo!

Henry acted like an old pro, it seemed everyone there wanted to fawn over our big, beautiful gray and he was only too happy to oblige! Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't get to warm him up so his first time showing was also his first time in a show arena! Poor guy was a little too excited to place but we are very proud of him for clearing all the fences, they simply weren't big enough to keep him focused! Here are some photos of our show veteran!

This past weekend, we hosted the first annual Secretiques, a collection of "elegant and elderly" objects that needed new homes, just like our horses (even though out horses definitely aren't elderly). Six of our stalls were filled with "found treasures" to be sold, Tilka of Tilka Fine Jewelry brought a collection of her jewelry, which she sold at cost + 30% that she donated to the MMSC. Mudpi, an acoustic-eclectic quartet (consisting of a guitar, mandolin, acoustic bass guitar, and harmonica) provided entertainment and Turf Catering donated the most amazing chili that we sold for $1 a bowl along with sandwhiches, baked goods, coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, and warm apple cider. Wine was free of charge. Below are a few of the many photos from this successful (and fun!) event!



As the communications intern, I plan to update this blog every week, so check back! I have also started a Twitter page for MMSC so be sure to follow us! http://www.twitter.com/mmsc04