From Wanna Be Racehorse to Dressage Stardom

Bandit is heading into his 6th month of retraining and although I try to share regular updates of how he is progressing I figured I would let you all in on how I am creating this progress with him. As of right now this horse has everything to be a top notch dressage horse and it is our plan to show everyone just that come October at the 2017 Retired Racehorse Project. 

I'll be honest, when I first got Bandit I had planned on putting some training on him and selling him while waiting to see what the rules would be for this years makeover competition. I was actually in Tryon competing my last years makeover horse, Coordinate, when I saw Bandit posted for sale. That was in August of 2016 and it was the last week of August that he shipped from New York down to me. I gave him the rest he needed, competed Coordinate at the 2016 Retired Racehorse Project and by that time Bandit was cleared to begin work again. It only took 6 rides for me to realize this horse was special and I needed to take him to Kentucky to compete this year. So I gave him a few more intermittent hacks and waited for the 2017 RRP entries to open…

Here we are now 6 months into dressage training and while I had entered two horses this year he will be the only one I take. Call it fate, call it a coincidence, call it what you want but I am ready for the ground to shake like it did when Stellar and I entered at A in Kentucky October 2015! That's how cool this horse is. 

Bandit lives out 24/7 in a herd of 12 or so horses on great pasture. (I'm lucky to have a boss whose husband is a fertilizing expert!) While turnout 24/7 can be hard on their feet and coat I truly believe it's the best thing for them. Maybe it's the grass or his girlfriends (HA!) but he's the happiest horse in the world  and I can still easily take him out to ride whether it be on the farm or off the property. Trust me, this life doesn't come easily to all of them but with a little patience and perseverance, it 

will benefit everyone in the long run if they can learn to love this kind of life. When the grass isn't as 

great we feed alfalfa twice a day (5lb per horse per feeding) and yes because he's my “special show 

horse" he also comes in to eat his grain twice a day. By come in I mean ties to the tie line, eats his breakfast/dinner, gets turned back out. In all honesty he is a dressage pony living the polo pony life style! Someone asked specifically what I was feeding and to be honest it quite simple; 2lbs of Triple Crown Senior, 1lb of Triple Crown Low starch and 2 scoops of EnviroEquine’s Electrobalance all twice a day. He is probably one of the easiest keepers I have had however I have definitely noticed with an increased work load he needs to be supplemented as such. 

Now for the fun stuff….his training! To start I do not usually give down time unless it is completely 

necessary, i.e. Injury, weight gain etc. Why? Because I have galloped and broke yearlings at the track 

and I know that from an early age these horses have had a job. Therefore most of the time that's what 

they seek so unless they are needing that down time I get them in a schedule. In the beginning a lot of times that schedule is only a few days a week and a mixture of lunging, longlining and hacks. While I do appreciate the importance of ground work and lunging/longlining, my primary focus from the start is can they hack? By hack I mean can I take them on a walk on a loose rein on, off and around the farm? Because let's be honest the majority of the clients I will get to look at horses will not be Olympic riders. They will be Adult Amateurs or Young Riders  who 9 times out the of 10 will ask if they will hack out alone or in a group and how they are. Not to mention the wonders it does for ANY horse’s brain. From there I determine whether more work from the ground is needed or if we can take riding to the next step, but first and foremost my horses must be able to hack. Lunging and hacking came very quickly to Bandit and actually one of his favorite things to do is hack, well that is until he learned to Dressage! 

I bought Bandit off a still picture and a walk video so although my gut said the trot and canter would be nice, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However it has now become pretty evident that this horse has a 

trot to die for and well…a canter that is improving everyday! When Bandit first started his flatwork training it was obvious he had a knack for holding his head pretty but in an ineffective way. By that I mean he naturally has a rounded neck which allows him to look like he is “on the bit”. It may have looked pretty however it was a completely false frame and he was not using his body to get there. How did we establish true engagement? Forward. But you must remember that you cannot send them forward to a sloppy rein. You must send them forward to something. Not a rein with slack, not a rein pulling back but a rein that is simply THERE. From forward you find inside leg to outside hand connection, from connection you find bend. Then from there you can achieve true inside hind leg engagement and full suppleness throughout their body. Don't go getting on expecting to have bend, you won't.  Don’t go getting on expecting to hold them in a frame, you can't. You MUST go FORWARD first. 

From the beginning this horse’s canter has been quick, unbalanced and on the forehand. I attribute all of this to strength. Though he may have a nice round apple bottom for a butt, he had never been asked to sit on it. This is again where your hacking skills come into play especially if you have access to hills. Use them. Hill work on a loose rein at the walk will build more muscle and top line than any 

silly supplement someone on the OTTB connect thread suggested. I promise. And if you do not have access to hills a good 40 minute hack at a forward walk on a loose rein will do the same! It might sound boring but I am telling you, it's worth it. Once realizing Bandit’s strength in the trot and weakness in the canter, it became evident that more hacking and hill work was needed. So that's what we did, 3-4 days of hacking/hill work with 2 or so days of flat work. 

It has not been until the last month or so that I now get on this horse knowing that he is truly ready for more. He's always had a good work ethic but now that he is physically stronger, he's more mentally ready to take on what is being asked of him and I really believe he thrives off of it. Now we hack maybe twice a week and flat 3-4. Because I know where his strengths and weaknesses are I am better able to access what we are going to work on on a day to day basis. His canter is still the weakest link, however this mornings canter was the BEST. I tend not to work the walk, the trot and the canter equally from day to day. Instead I choose a gait in which to focus on. For example today was canter. Sure we walked out to the field and yes we trotted to get loosened up but majority of this morning’s ride was spend doing canter transitions, canter spiral ins and spiral outs, cantering straight and cantering shallow loops. Yesterday, we hacked and tomorrow we lesson to go through our tests in preparation for next weeks show. Try not to get stuck in a day to day basis trying to conquer the same things. Pick something to focus on, work it and then end it on the best possible note. 

Bandit City: The Closet Worrier

^the picture that had me sold!

Flash back to August of last year (some of you have probably been doing this if you live in the northeast because it's cold as you know what), August 22, 2016 is when I received a ridiculously handsome chestnut off the track thoroughbred from Finger Lakes. Bandit City, an unraced, 2012 ridgling by Congaree out of Carson City Girl. The, at the time, 4 year old “stud” quietly walked off the trailer into his new home with me at friends place where he would be turned out for a few months to heal and until I could afford his castration surgery.

Bandit belonged to a Facebook friend of mine, Katie Conway, who’s dad trains a string of race horses at Finger Lakes Race Track and Casino in upstate New York. Katie shared Bandit’s ad from the Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbred adoption page to her own Facebook page, which I saw while in Tryon competing my last years RRP horse. The moment I saw his picture something said “you need this horse”. Meanwhile I was still preparing my current mount for the 2016 Retired Racehorse Project and knew that I would likely acquire another  Darley/Godolphin horse for the 2017 makeover. But there was something about him that made me inquire to Katie and eventually talk to her dad. Bandit needed 2-3 months of rest turned out for a small non-displaced fracture right front cannon bone. Dan Conway provided me with his vet’s x-rays which I forwarded to my vet, who said the horse would heal just fine after a few months of quiet turnout. And just like that the decision was made, Bandit would become part of Dynasty Sport Horses…

^How could you not want to kiss this face?

But when Bandit arrived and turnout started, I realized he was a little depressed. He would stand in

his run in shed, head hanging or graze occasionally but still mopey. It became apparent to me that he 

really just missed having a job and unfortunately he needed to stay on this quiet turn out until healed. A friend of mine had a yearling colt that I ended up turning out with Bandit so he could have a friend which seemed to help. But I knew he was happier the day I threw a saddle on his back and the reins over his head. He dove into the bridle as I held it in front of him to put on and I couldn't help but smile. My first ride on him couldn't have went any better, we started in the round pen at a walk and he was so good I figured why not trot around the large paddock. I'll be honest, I forgot my helmet that day (sorry mom) but I just felt that confident with him that I did it anyway. From seeing his picture to having him in my possession I knew we shared something and a few retraining rides in proved just that. His third off the track ride, he hacked down a dirt road by himself like he had done it all his life. And after less than 15 rides before December I decided he would be my second entry for the 2017 Retired Racehorse Project. I say second because I was offered and agreed to take on Good Response to represent Darley/Godolphin prior to deciding to take Bandit too.

^his happy place..

Alas this is where the title “Closet Worrier” comes into play. In reading everything above and seeing pictures, it may seem to you that Bandit is quite a confident horse. I mean he hacks out alone, he's turned out in a large herd but comes in without question, he walks quietly on the buckle and after a handful of  retraining rides he hauled off property for the first time like a champ. But yesterday when I decided to take him for a hack down a dirt road less than half a mile from our barn for the first time it became clear that he is not confident, in fact quite the contrary. We turned right out of the driveway where we had to walk along a slightly busy main road before getting to the dirt road. He saw a group of 4 mail boxes and immediately went to turn for home. I caught him before he actually got all the way around but he was refusing to go forward, sideways…yes, backwards…yes. Forward? No. 4 years ago I would have gotten frustrated and taken it out on him (we have all been there). After a few thumps on his sides with my legs with no success I was going to get off and hand walk him past until he decided they weren't going to eat him. But in that moment I think we both realized something. He realized I was not going to beat him but I also wasn't going to give up. I realized how far I had come in my patience level over the years. And in that moment it was as if he said “ok mom, I can do this!” and past the mail boxes he went. We continued our walk along the main road, cars going 50+ mph past, walked a few miles down the dirt road, turned around and came home. All on a loose rein. It was THAT ride that I realized just how much this horse trusts me. The confidence he may give off to others while I ride him comes purely from my confidence on him. This is a horse who I won't actually start “working” until he lets his big breathes out. You know the big sighs of relief they give sometimes? Well he needs to give them to me before we do anything besides walk because that's when I know he's actually relaxed. But even prior to those sighs, he walks and he walks on a loose contact. He's a closet worrier. But none the less I look forward improving his confidence in himself and his relationship with me. 

Stay tuned...

^Fancy pants

Retired Racehorse Project 411

(Stellar aka Fullback, feeling the love at our first makeover (2015) Photo credit; Denise Valdez)

Dynasty Sport Horse's  top reasons to Compete in the Retired Racehorse Project

1. For the love of the OTTB (Off Track Thoroughbred)

If you are considering this competition for any other reason other than the love and support of the OTTB, PLEASE reconsider your priorities ... and this competition. 

2. To prove the versatility and durability of the Thoroughbred.

As trainers and riders we are aware of the abilities this breed possesses, it's now in our hands to deliver the full package in every discipline to show the world why we love these horses. 

3. You want to join the cult. 

If you've followed the journey of one or more trainers and their horses from previous years of the RRP competition from start to finish, and support what the organization represents and promotes, you qualify to join our cult of OTTB lovers, now you need a fresh OTTB to sign up and begin the process of retraining to compete. 

4. The retraining process.

The thoroughbred is one of the most (if not THE most) retrainable, and versatile breed. Those who claim themselves "trainers" (quotations only used for those who simply don't qualify as trainers, but not intended for all) soon learn that the horse may be teaching them more than they are teaching the horse itself. The process of taking a Thoroughbred from a racehorse to a new discipline is enlightening, educational, and inspiring. There is so much to learn and so many bloopers to be logged in your memory. 

5. Experience and Community

Joking aside, there's nothing better than the experience of retraining and then showing off the bond and progress you have accomplished with your horse. The experience is great but the community is even better. You gain supporters and a little publicity here and there but most importantly you can gain friendships from all over. As a competitor there's a connection you make with people you have never met until you recognize them walking past them around the show grounds. It's uplifting to encourage each other and cheer each other on in competition. Bonds are formed with mere strangers over the love of horses getting a second chance in life. 

(Coordinate giving a supporter a simulation ride as a jockey after our Freestyle routine)

The Do's and Don't's of RRP 

Do support RRP.

Do Not bad mouth RRP, especially on social media.

Do be patient.

Do Not constantly ask when trainer applications are coming out. THEY ARE COMING.

Do take your time in selecting your next (or first) RRP partner.

Do Not fall in love with the first horse you see. (unless its really that AMAZING)

Do ask for others opinions on experiences.

Do Not try to create a false experience from what you have "supposedly" heard. 

Do try to continue to better yourself as a horseman/horsewoman and advocate of the OTTB.

Do Not think you know all or that you are better than someone else. Everyone of us has something to learn, professional or not. 

Do go for the amazing experience.

Do Not go because you think you are going to win $10,000. I can promise that if you go thinking that, you won't. 

Do follow the rules.

Do Not cheat. No one wins by cheating. So if you think you think you are winning by putting more than 15 rides in prior to January 15th (or whatever the qualifications end up being) without anyone knowing. I advise you to rethink that... Remember that girl named ... Karma?

Do be uplifting and encouraging to others who are competing - whether you win or not! Be respectful of others in their training process and help when you can in a kind and caring manner. 

Do Not degrade others and criticize. No one likes a sore loser, a Negative Nancy, or bully!

(Nuno Santos, a fellow competitor, "maestro", mentor and friend at the RRP afterparty)

The Sport, The Legacy, The Story...

(Indulgent: 2013 Godolphin Mare trained in Aiken)

In August of 2015 I loaded up my Heart Horse and traveled to Maryland to prepare for "Thoroughbreds For All: Saratoga" in pursuit of the dream to compete and place in the Retired Racehorse Project in Lexington, Kentucky. That same week I received a heartbreaking phone call. My fellow exercise rider and partner said "Hey, .... so it looks like we won't be partners next year." The depth in his tone concerned me and I questioned if he was leaving. As he explained what he meant, my heart sank into my stomach and the reality of what was unfolding in Aiken began to make my mind turn in circles. 

(Fullback aka "Stellar")

My job with Darley in Aiken had meant so much to me the past 3 seasons. Getting word that they would not be continuing their training operation in Aiken was not something I had expected or even been prepared for, quite the contrary I was excited to start my next season; I loved my job, I loved the horses and I loved learning from each horse I was able to put my hands on. I had no idea then that my relationship with Darley would lead to something so much more than breaking and galloping 2 year olds. My Heart Horse paved the way to a much brighter future. 

(Galloping for Darley at the Aiken Training Track)

Looking back on the days that encompassed my employment with Darley and watching the relationship bloom and unfold between myself and my racing connections today, I realize how blessed I am to associate myself with such an outstanding organization. My most recent trip to Kentucky was exceptionally special. I was able to take Fullback's (Stellar's) owner and Coordinate's owner on a special behind the scenes farm tour at Godolphin. We had the honor of being hosted by Graham Lovatt who is the current Stallion Manager at Jonabell. We walked through the barns and gawked at all the handsome men, and by men of course I mean the strapping stud muffin stallions! 

We took a turn to the breeding sheds where Graham explained all the complexities of hosting live covers. We talked about the footing, and joked about the peculiarities of each stallion and how they prepare the breeding sheds to best accommodate each one. As we walked out of the breeding shed the graveyard caught the corner of my eye... Stellar's mom had passed since I had gotten him and I wanted to pay my respects before we left for the most wonderful Christmas present I could have ever received. We made our way over and as we walked through the graveyard I caught a inside glimpse of the racing industry that the rest of the world rarely gets to see ... "Yes, it's a job, yes we get paid for it, but it's a passion ... that's why we do this. When you love these horses, and spend every day with them, you're invested, that's why we love this and that's why we do it." (Graham Lovatt, Stallion Manager at Jonabell, Darley and Godolphin)

(Graham Lovatt walking us through the graveyard)

My racing connections became so much more real to me in that moment. The emotion was tangible. There's a passion in these aisle ways, in the shed rows, and in the stalls of every horse that wears the blue, new and old. There's love for the horse and for the sport. I see compassion in their eyes, the horse, the handlers, the grooms, the barn managers, and the office staff. The integrity is not only burned into the heart of every employee but bred into the DNA of every thoroughbred born from the royal bloodline of Dubai's Godolphin. 

To "Stellar's" mum: It is because of you that he got his name Stellar. He was just that from the very beginning, stellar. Words could not express the sadness in my heart the day I found out you had passed. It was not just another broodmare to me that had went on to horsey heaven, it was a legacy. A legacy that I am so grateful to have known. May you be running wild and free in the lands of which I will one day see you again. Your amazing heart and good looks live on through Fullback and his siblings, we love you. Rest in peace, Stellar Jayne. -Jordan

Makeover Recap!

This past Sunday, Dynasty Sport Horses wrapped up its last day in Kentucky for the 2016 Retired Racehorse Project. Five days packed full of off the track thoroughbreds, great friends, family, bourbon and unforgettable memories. I am happy to report that everyone is home safe, sound and healthy (horse and humans)! I spent the last 9 months preparing Coordinate for this event to the best of our abilities. Frankly, when I received the final results apart of me was disappointed. As I sat for a moment reflecting on our two performances, I could not help but smile.

Upon receiving this horse, I was unsure of what direction we would go. Jumpers? Eventing? Dressage? What I did know was that the horse would tell me and it would be my job to listen. Coordinate is not a naturally loose or elastic moving horse with a ton of suspension, so why enter him (us) in the Dressage division? After being let down he lost a lot of muscle and strength as most OTTB's do when they go from training everyday to only turnout. Given this, I knew the only way we would be able to compete this year would be to put in our time on his flat work, and we did just that! He enjoys jumping, but I felt it important to build proper muscling in this manner to ideally extend his newfound career. The end result?  Coordinate went from scrawny and “I only know how to trot like a typewriter” to properly filled out and “I have nice knee action to be a dressage horse!” To think we came in 15th of nearly 80 horses entered for dressage and 9th of over 30 in freestyle, is smile worthy. Also,our freestyle was completely un-choreographed (despite what the judges thought, HA!) yet probably the most fun I have ever had riding!

In addition to our placings and Coordinate landing the absolute best home I have plenty more to smile about…

This year at the makeover I competed under my very own business name and logo, Dynasty Sport Horses. A new, up and coming venture focused on retraining OTTB's and matching them with the best owner for their future. The support I’ve received since announcing this has been tremendous. First, my parents drove all the way from New York
to watch me compete and tell me how proud of me they were. Second, many of the 
 team came out both days to watch us perform and hang out at Coordinate’s stall. They 
congratulated me on my business endeavors, offer me my next year’s horse and so much more (I will be writing another blog about this!). My sponsors, Godolphin, EnviroEquine 
and Accuhorsemat also showed an incredible amount of support. Santos Sport Horses’ 
Head Trainer Nuno Santos acted as my coach for the weekend while also competing himself.  (Not to mention the rest of his amazing group who treat me like family even after leaving Maryland to return home to Aiken!) Finally, Braeden Howard, groom extraordinaire, social media guru, assistant everything and most importantly my BEST FRIEND. This girl goes above and beyond for me in everything we do and I honestly don't know what I did to deserve such an amazing person in my life. There simply are not enough words to express how thankful I am for all she does.

To close this makeover recap blog, I have one story to share. Upon arriving at Coordinate's stall after riding our dressage test Thursday morning, Lindy Gutman, Stellar's mom, came up to me while I was settling Coordinate in to his Accuhorsemat. She said, "I have something for you”, and reached in to her pocket, pulling out a little bag with a beautiful necklace in it. As I admired the necklace, she said “those are Stellar’s hoof clippings”, pointing to the middle of the pendant. I immediately burst into tears, happy tears of course, but tears nonetheless! It was one of those moments that reminded me that this is what I am called to do. These horses deserve owners and careers that allow them to shine to their fullest potential, even if that is a glorified trail horse. Stellar hit the jackpot!

Stay tuned for upcoming blogs on my 2017 makeover horse Good Response who arrives tomorrow, as well as a behind the scenes blog of Godolphin aftercare, breeding and racing.

Dynasty Sport Horses: Only the Beginning

Welcome everyone! It is time I share some rather exciting news in regards to something I had shared a month ago about a logo and the rising of what I hoped to make as my business one day. Well here it is!

Welcome to the formal blogging page of Dynasty Sport Horses. It probably comes of no shock to most of you, my love for thoroughbreds. Better yet my love for off the track thoroughbreds and the transitioning of them into new careers post racing. For the longest time I questioned myself on whether or not this was something I could actually do. Was I a good enough rider? Could I really call myself a "trainer"? How would I do this without my own farm? Could I afford it? Was this just some far fetched dream? 

After competing in last years Retired Racehorse Project for my first time and placing second overall in Dressage with my 3 year old off the track thoroughbred Fullback and creating such a following from that experience my once far fetched dream seemed closer than ever. However things in my life had just changed drastically with a move to a new state, the starting of a new job (OFFICE job.) and not a very clear understanding of where life was taking me. Here I am a year later gearing up for the makeover for my second year in a row and back living where I truly love being, Aiken, SC. My RRP horse for this year, generously gifted to me by Godolphin, has taught me more than I ever thought possible and my journey with him has led me to believe that I can make this dream a reality. The icing on the cake to this came last week when Kate Hutchings, a dressage judge and my dressage trainer, bought Coordinate (pictured above). She will be attending the Makeover with us and after that I will get to be apart of their journey together! 

Although all of this extremely exciting, it is going to be important for me to allow this business to progress slowly. This will not be something that I get horses in for a so called "quick" flip. I take great pride in my process of getting these horses prepared for their second careers and that means not rushing them. No, I am not what many would consider an "upper level" rider. But I do feel confident that I can provide these OTTBs with a solid foundation before they move on to the owners that can take them to their absolute fullest potential. However I am not going to pass on the opportunity of keeping one a little longer if it means I can get a little further in my riding too. For the time being this means of course continuing my full time job at C-Spear south and only taking on 2 horses at a time. Some of you may be saying "what? Only 2 horses?", yes only two horses. Because the last thing I want to do is get in over my head financially but also work wise. Two horses in full training and a full time job means earlier mornings, later nights and definitely more wine! (HAHA) My plan is to use this blog to inform you of the training progress as well as the business progress from here on forward! I will also work on a Facebook page as well as an Instagram account that I hope you can all join me on! In closing....

Meet Bandit City! A 2012, soon to be gelding, by Congaree out of Carson City Girl. This handsome boy came to me from the Conway family up in Fingerlakes, NY. Katie Conway has followed my journey to the makeover these last two years and encouraged her dad that Bandit would have a great home after racing with me. Thank you Conway's! Once I get back from Kentucky, this boy will start slowly back to work and I cannot wait to see his progress.

Also meet Good Response! Handpicked as my next years Retired Racehorse Project by Godolphin, this boy is a 2011 gelding by Madaglia d'Oro out of Any For Love. This magnificent creature is currently enjoying some turnout in KY at James Lane in hopes of him coming to Aiken in November! I will spend my time bonding with him until we are allowed to start training for the 2017 Retired Racehorse Project!

I truly cannot thank all of my supporters enough. Family, friends, trainers and sponsors, none of this would be possible with out you! 

Godolphin