The Maker's Mark Secretariat Center is a non profit facility located in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. We are dedicated to reschooling, and showcasing the athleticism of the off track Thoroughbred so that they can go on and become ambassadors for the breed in second careers. We are also committed to educating the public about these wonderful horses: We welcome visitors of all ages, interns, and volunters . This blog publicizes unofficial updates on our horses and our programs. For more information, visit www,secretariatcenter.org or www.facebook.com/makersmarksecretariatcenter








Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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!



































Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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!

Friday, November 6, 2009

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!