Contents Features 2 6 10 13
Rob Pennington’s Winning Ways Raising the Standard An Interview with Lisa Molloy Journey to WEG and Beyond
Departments 4 8 12 16 16 18 19
From The Bookshelf Back to the Track Racing Under Saddle Coming Full Circle The Pleasure Registration Rule Fresh Off The Track Brag Page
Contributing Photographers Shutter Savy Images Vicki Wright Photos Robin Lawson Cecillia B Photography
On The Cover Olivia Kimelman and Come Getcha Some at the 2013 National Standardbred Show. Photo by Shutter Savy Images. If you would like to contribute an original article for consideration to The Standardbred Connection, please contact us at KathleenHaak@Ymail. com. We reserve the right to refuse any article. Have club news? Hosting a STB friendly event? Share the news on our Facebook page or drop us an email at KathleenHaak@Ymail.com.
The Driver’s Seat Oddly enough, much of my contributions to creating The Standardbred Connection have come about while driving to and from horse shows and clinics. I’ve long felt that we needed a 360 degree view of the Standardbred world. A single viewpoint - that of racing - just doesn’t showcase all that this amazing breed has to offer. This thinking eventually lead to the creation of The Standardbred Connection, a bi-monthly online magazine. Our goal is to show all of the amazing things that Standardbreds do - endurance competitions, jumping, eventing, driving, trail riding, and dressage as well as western riding. We’re not going to forget our racing roots but if you’re racking, pacing or trotting through the public eye then we want to showcase all that you can do. It is important to note that for many of our crew of volunteers this is their first time working on a magazine. They’re not professional writers but rather professionals within the horse industry that have also signed on to promote the Standardbred. That is not to say that we don’t strive to bring you the absolute best magazine that we can but if you find a complex fragment, well, just be patient with us. Have a talented Standardbred that you think we should profile? Hosting a STB friendly event? Please send your comments to KathleenHaak@ YMail.com. We look forward to showcasing the very best that the Standardbred industry has to offer! Sincerely, Kathleen Haak Editor
Rob Pennington’s
Winning Ways
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ob Pennington has been involved with horses for nearly 20-years. He started out grooming Standardbreds on the track in Ohio, followed the circuit to Florida and back before settling down in New Jersey. The first Standardbred he showed in hand went National In-Hand Champion, hooking Rob on halter horses. Valiant Lega C is his go to horse, winning many championships at open and breed specific shows. In addition to winning halter classes, Pennington was named 2013 Groom of the Year in the annual competition sponsored by Hanover Shoe Farms and Harness Tracks of America. Getting ready for the show ring starts months ahead of time. First and foremost, I consider my horses daily diet is the most important asset to getting that show ring shine and conditioning. I have tried the cheaper feeds in the past and have found that they just cost me time and more money in the long run. Good feed will have your horse’s coat shinning and dappled without much work. Over the winter months I will let my horses down a bit from their conditioning and work, thus letting them put on a few extra pounds, I like doing this so in the spring I have some weight to work off while getting them fit for the ring.
In my early years, when I just showed halter and showmanship, I kept my horse more on the heavy side, bulky I would say. A horse that is slightly overweight hides some of its imperfections, like a lack of muscling in the neck or hind quarters. You may think it’s the easy way out, but some breeds will not muscle up naturally like others. So, with a Standardbred, I prefer for halter classes (if it is their only discipline) to be slightly more overweight than a performance horse.
Dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s for Showmanship Showmanship is judged on the handler and most judges consider 50% of that work done before you ever get to the ring - grooming, fitting, training and respect of horse and exhibitor. Grooming is a big key for me. I strive 110% to not have a hair out of place when I walk into that ring. At first glance I want to be the one that catches the eye. Preparation in the week before the show. Hoofs - Make sure that your horse’s feet are neatly trimmed. If shod, make sure that the shoes are on tight. Clipping - Generally clip a four finger bridle path, ears inside and out (ears can be left unclipped inside if the horse is an outdoor horse), muzzle, eye lashes, fetlocks and coronet bands. Clipping a week out gives any mistakes some time to grow back in. Mane and Tail - For Western-type halter, I like the mane length around 5 inches. The tail should be squared off as close to the ground as possible. If you have a tail extension showmanship is one of the classes where it is appropriate to use it. A full tail finishes a pretty picture. I choose to use extensions and have them almost touch the ground. To eliminate a mistake on show day, practice backing to insure your horse can back without stepping on it. Tack - My tack is cleaned and stored the week prior to the show. The leather is nice and oiled, all the silver is cleaned and polished.
The day before the show, do a quick check for any touch-ups that may need to be done.
cause white feet hardly ever look clean, I use hoof black on all four. This is a personal choice you can make for yourself but I feel it looks much more professional. TThe rest of the prep is finished right before I go in the ring. I remove the sleazy, brush the mane, body and tail. Then I apply a show ring finishing spray to the whole horse and let it sit there. This will bring all the dust left on your horse to the surface, the last thing I will do before going in the ring is wipe off the horse from head to toe.
Practice setting your horse up squarely and doing patterns before you get to the show.
The Halter
Fitting the halter correctly is a key part of showmanship. The nose piece belongs more upwards, towards the eyes rather than the hanging around the nose. Show halters have metal in the leather under the jowls for a reason, use it to pull that halter around the jowls and fit it your horse. The silver should accent your horse’s face, not just hang there.
After the halter is on and fitted I will apply the face highlighter, you can use baby oil if you wish. I will accent the eyes, nose and ears. I will also use this on the top of the mane and dock of the tail to tame any fly a ways. As I wait my turn to go in the ring I will get my posture right and have my lead neat and tidy. I hope this helps you get your horse the blue ribbon. Just remember you’re not fully ready to show without a smile. If there is a tie that needs to be broken between two competitors a judge may pin the person who looks like they are enjoying themselves and smiling over the person who looks nervous or doesn’t want to be there. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!
Show day Bathing typically involves a color enhancing shampoo and then conditioning the coat. After I rinse and scrap the excess water off, I towel dry and then apply Laser Sheen. I brush the mane and tail, put on a full body sleazy. Braiding or banding takes place next. I braid in my tail extension and then braid the extension to the real tail to make it sit together as one tail. For the mane l will pull the sleazy down from the head/neck area and band the mane. I learned how to band and braid from YouTube videos and found the best way for me. The next process is legs and feet. I use the spray color enhancers that you can pick up from your local tack store. I will spray the chestnuts and any scraps or minor blemishes. I may even touch up the lower part of all the legs to make them clean and crisp. My horse has one white foot. White feet should be clear coated but be-
While the natural look is accepted at Standardbred shows, open shows may require a more finished look for top placing.
Have a Standardbred friendly show that you’d like to share the showbill and dates for? Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook. com/pages/The-Standardbred-Connection/1457680427811541.
ed, and a Tip For Success.
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harni Lewis’ Braiding Manes and Tails, A Visual Guide to 30 Basic Braids is an excellent guide to teaching a person about horse braiding.
Ms. Lewis starts you out with simple braiding tools then proceeds to take you through each step of preparing the mane and tail for braiding including tips for success, such as how to detangle the heavy matted tail. Safety reminders for handling the horse are reviewed on several pages. She points out that the specific length of a mane can be a matter of personal preference or dictated by the riding discipline. The correct use of a pulling comb is demonstrated as are alternate methods of shortening the mane. The author points out that the first braiding session will take time and patience but with practice the finished results will improve.
Ms. Lewis also tells us about each particular breeds braiding tradition which I found very interesting. The pictures where extremely helpful, to be truthful I had to reread the instructions several times before I understood the whole procedure for a particular braid. I found the most helpful part was right on the front cover, it said, “Hang the Book on the Wall for Easy Reference.” There is a well-designed hole in the book so you can hang it beside the horse while you are braiding. Right there for easy referencing. Beautiful braids take time but they show that you care about the presentation of your horse. Charni Lewis’s book will definitely show you how to make beautiful manes and tails. Hardcover with concealed wire-o Pages: 152 Size: 9 x 9 Color: Full-color; Photographs and illustrations throughout ISBN: 978-1-58017-699-6 Publisher: Storey Publishing Reviewer: Joyce Newbury
Starting out with a three strand braid, the author shows you how to train the mane to one side and how to maintain a long mane. Preserving a nice long tail is explored as well as how to make a mud knot. Lewis discussed how daily combing and brushing of long manes and tails actually breaks the strands of hair which in turn makes them fuzzy. Braiding and rebraiding every few weeks will let the hair grow to its maximum length. After teaching the reader the basic braiding components such as the French and Dutch braid Lewis shows us how to finish the braid along with tying a braiding square knot. English hunter braids, eventing knots, dressage braids and draft horse braids are demonstrated using both pictures and words. Gaited horse braids are included as well as a fun section about fishtail braids. Each section has a note that tells you what you will need for that particular braid, the prep work need-
Former Meadows Outrider, Missy Rothfuss has been chosen as a trainer for the Home for Every Horse – Equine Comeback Challenge.
By Christie DeBernardis
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he Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey has made both the harness racing community and the show horse world stand up and take notice over the past 20 years with the increased success of their annual National Standardbred Show. Held in early September at the Horse Park of New Jersey, the show was the brain child of top female driver Jacquie Ingrassia.
“I was showing a Thoroughbred locally and thought it would be great to showcase our Standardbreds,” Ingrassia said. A longtime member of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, Ingrassia took her idea to her fellow board members and convinced them to help make her dream a reality. “Way back when, I went to the SBOA board and put forward a proposal for them to fund the show to the tune of $2,000,” the English native said. “Luckily, I persuaded my fellow board members to do just that and the rest as they say is history. Over the years, with the help of avid fellow horse people, the show has evolved into what it is now, a roaring success.” Though Ingrassia is no longer a member of the show committee, she still supports the show and participates in it each year. She became the first female driver to win a Triple Crown race when she guided Goalfish to victory in the 2000 Yonkers Trot, and the pair competed successfully at several National Standardbred Shows. Ingrassia currently competes on her nine-year-old trotter Arcaro. The show truly has something for everyone, with classes that include jumping, western, speed, model, pleasure driving, and dressage. They also have divisions fit for every possible entry, such as fresh off the track, green horse, senior horse and war horse.
Ingrassia handed the reins of the show over to some very capable hands in SPHO-NJ President Allison Giorgianni, Vice President Helene Gregory and Points Secretary Rob Pennington, who have taken the show to the next level. Due to its increasing popularity, the show was expanded to two days for the first time last year with resounding success. “Being that the Standardbred is such a versatile breed, we had noticed that people wanted to show in many different divisions,” said Gregory, who is the wife of driver Jeff Gregory and has been competing at the National Standardbred Show since 2003. “To accommodate them, we decided to try a two-day show in 2013. It turned out to be very popular. The result was a stress free weekend for both equines and exhibitors. They did not have to cramp all the classes they wanted to compete in into one day.” Last year, the model, showmanship, western pleasure, speed and fun classes were held on Saturday with a late afternoon start time and the rest of the classes followed on Sunday, with the first class held at 8 a.m. “On Saturday night, we had the western, fun and speed divisions and followed that with a pizza party and raffles,” Gregory said. “It is just a great way of appealing to riders and spectators.” The National Standardbred Show will follow that same format this year, except with an earlier start time on Saturday due to the addition of two new divisions. The SPHO-NJ has added walk-trot speed and fun divisions, so those Standardbreds who have not yet mastered the canter can still be competitive in events such as barrel racing, pole bending and ride-a-buck. The show receives a lot of support from the harness racing community, with some of the top sponsors being the United States Trotting Association, the SBOA-NJ, The Meadowlands, Freehold Raceway, Valley High Stables and Dr. Patty Hogan. It is these sponsors that have made the increases in prize money over the years possible. “Since I joined the club in 2003, the purse structure has more than doubled,” Gregory commented. “We have done a great job in promoting the show to the people involved in harness racing, and their contributions have made it possible to add on to the prize money awarded. The show is one of the few breed specific shows that year after year hold a steady stream of exhibitors.” Several prominent members of the harness community also attend the show as both spectators, participants and volunteers. Besides Ingrassia and Gregory, familiar faces that have come through the National Standardbred Show ring include Meadowlands announcer Sam McKee, trainers Brett Bittle and Jenny Melander, and driver Harry Landy. Julie and Andy Miller and Nifty and Robyn Norman are annual attendees, and driver Dan Dube’s daughter competes in the leadline division each year. USTA Humanitarian of the Year and trainer Donna Marshall dutifully hands out ribbons and awards to participants each year while cheering on her daughter Kelly, who drives down from Vermont with her Standardbred TC to participate in the show. Kelly is not the only one who travels a long way to attend the show, with representatives from eight to ten states participating each year. Not only do many famous human faces from the harness racing industry attend the show each year, but many
famous horses have competed in at as well. In addition to Goalfish, notable equine participants include twotime Breeders Crown champion Won the West, Road Kar, Master Pine, Slip N Slide, Rare Jewel and Shoeless White Sox. “The best part of the show is seeing all these wonderful horses excel in their new careers,” Gregory enthused. “Some judges have mentioned that the classes could be mistaken for any breed or open show. The turnout on the horses and riders is immaculate. It is a very friendly atmosphere, and everyone is helpful and happy for each other. They are there to compete yes, but the ultimate goal is to showcase the versatility of our beautiful Standardbreds.” Back to the Track 2014 is now underway! Visit tracks across the country for a variety of fun, family-friendly, activities. T-shirt giveaways, driver/trainer meet and greets, starting car rides as well as paddock tours are just a few of the events planned. Many retired Standardbreds, who are now pleasure mounts, will also be returning to the track to once again meet their fans. Check your track’s website for specific information. TOUR DATES This year’s National Standardbred Show will be held at the Horse Park of New Jersey on September 6-7. For more information, visit www.standardbredpleasurehorse.org. Photos: With the ribbons - Laura Harbour with Veruca Salt, Driving - Lena O’Brien and Road Kar, Junior rider Kassidy with Thank You Sam
Meadowlands Racetrack Pocono Downs Vernon Downs Tioga Downs Northfield Park Monticello Raceway Hoosier Park Balmoral Park Ocean Downs Maywood The Meadows Saratoga Raceway Scioto Downs Buffalo Raceway Running Aces Batavia Downs Plainridge Racecourse Harrah’s Philadelphia Freehold Raceway Scarborough Downs Rosecroft Raceway Pompano Park Colonial Downs
June 13-14 June 21 June 26-28 June 27-29 July 3 July 4 July 4-5 July 5 July 6 July 11 July 11 July 12 July 12 July 13 July 19 August 2 August 23-24 August 31 September 1 September 7 September 13 October 4 October 5
doors now or are you concentrating on TBs? Lisa: We just take TBs, that’s my background and the market. The market on the East Coast is a lot of hunter/jumpers so it is geared for traditional English mounts. It is important to know your market and the region and what people are looking for when they adopt. Jane: How has the transition from KY to VA been?
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isa Molloy became a known name in horse circles with her work with New Vocations in KY, helping with the training and adoption of hundreds of Thoroughbreds. Malloy, a native of England, then pulled up stakes to join her husband in VA, where she has been for the last two years. Lisa is now working with Re-Run and also helps with the rehoming of horses from Exceller Fund and NYRA’s Take the Lead retirement program, all working out of her Lisa Molloy Training Stables based at East Coast Equestrian Training Center in VA. Lisa’s expertise in the promoting and successful adoption of thoroughbreds is what prompted me to interview her and see if her success and insight can help with organizations and rescues who work with Standardbreds. Lisa Molloy Interview: Jane: When you were with New Vocations, did you get a chance to work with any Standardbreds or were you mostly with the Thoroughbreds? Lisa: Always with the TBs, but I did take some STB to a hunter pace and it was a lot different. I found the Standardbreds to be very sure footed with a lot of stamina on a hot day. Mandi Cool of Starting Gaits, her Standardbreds live out 24-hours, no shoes, and are very hardy horses. I recommend STBs for those who need a horse on a budget and location, these horses do not require rugs, shoes, and are great for trails and varied terrain. A lot of people still look over STBs. Jane: Do you get any Standardbreds through your
Lisa: It’s been different, a lot more expensive in VA and our hay gets shipped in from PA. Winters are not as bad as in KY and though both locations have an indoor we used the KY ones a lot more. Jane: What are some of the challenges you see with off the track horses? Lisa: Allow for a decompression period, even if it is just for a couple of weeks. Some get too quick on training; get them happy with their turnout situation, eating, and settled in a routine, it is a lot easier to start them back when they are more relaxed. It always amazes me they get a horse, it ships in for 12 plus hours, they give the horse a couple of days, and then they start them back. It doesn’t matter how well settled
the horse is, you still need to allow them the time to settle and decompress. Jane: Why do you think rescuing and rehoming horses is so important? What drives/motivates you to take this task on? Lisa: This comes from our throwaway society, not just animals but society in general. We have moral and ethical obligations to horses. I’m originally from England, been all over the US and parts of Europe and what I’ve gotten from horses it makes you want to give back. It makes you want to do the right thing, even if it is not the easiest thing. These horses have a lot left in them and a lot to offer, even just the trail sound horses. There is a lot of misconceptions about Off Track horses, both TBs and STBs. STBs can canter and jump, everyone thinks that TBs are crazy, hot/difficult. Each horse is an individual, many people can get so much pleasure from them. I believe especially if you make your living off of horses you have an obligation to give back. Horses have taken me all over the world, I’ve met some great people and I owe horses an opportunity. Jane: Rescuing horses is costly and time consuming but what can the average person do? One who doesn't have the ability or maybe the finances to adopt or foster? Lisa: Any rescue should be looking for volunteers, they realize how little you can contribute and make a difference. Donating $15 can buy a fly mask, it all makes a difference. Volunteers and merchandise are cost effective ways of offsetting expenses. There is nothing better than going to an event and seeing someone wearing your t-shirts, or seeing your magnets on their trucks. Having a nice product line can really help, plus having flyers and brochures to hand out at shows and events can progresses into a conversation about the program. Jane: What advice would you give someone looking at getting an off the track horse? Lisa: First thing is to know your limitations and everybody always seem to have a little bit of over inflated since of what they can handle, so have realistic expectations. Example if I have a 4-year old, sound with no injuries, and the person wants to trail ride, an older horse with far more miles would be more suitable for
their needs, it makes more sense to get a more mileage horse with some limitations than a young sound horse capable of going on to a higher level of career. Jane: I like your team approach to adoption: chiropractors, farriers, photographers, and veterinarians, do you think this helps to facilitate adoptions? Lisa: It is not cost effective to put too much into a horse that is sound, but to put resources where it is needed, you need a pretty cohesive team to keep costs down and adoptions up. I don’t think people realize how important photos and videos can be. People want insight into the personality of the horse. Novel little things like a horse picking up a cone, and seeing a horse being silly and being different, people like that. I keep videos under 3 minutes to keep people interested. Instead of trying to jam everything into 10 minute videos I may do 2 minutes of cantering at liberty and 2 minutes under saddle so people do not get bored and start skipping through it. Keep continuity when representing a horse. I’ve seen people in English clothes riding in a western saddle, it confuses potential adopters. Represent a horse as either a western horse or an English horse.
Jane: Do you have some success stories that have stayed with you? Lisa: Yes, we had a horse returned, he was 12, he cribbed, and the woman just didn’t like him. He had been adopted 3 or 4 years, we took him back, got him going, took him off the feed he was on, put him on Purina Senior, and he became awesome to ride, plus he was a flashy chestnut horse. We had photos of me riding and videos of him jumping and riding, but as soon as people found out he was over 10 and cribbed
nobody had any interest. A woman and her sixteen year-old daughter just lost a horse to colic and the daughter just had her high school boyfriend pass away from leukemia, all within 6 months. We brought him out with a big red ribbon around his neck and they were just thrilled. They were so good with each other and for each other. He has been ridden everywhere and he has no problems, he was just getting overlooked because he was over 10 and cribs. Now he is in a great home with a young owner who adores him. Jane: You've mentioned you are now at the former Standardbred farm Happy Valley, some incredible horses came from that farm, has that inspired you to give driving a chance? Lisa: I’ve always wanted to drive or try side saddle but I have so much to do, but this is a fantastic farm. We still have the original stall boards for Isle of Wight and the tack trucks are green and white with Happy Valley on them, and the sales board is still there. Jane: Finally, for the rescues and after care organizations, do you have any advice on networking to encourage adoptions? Lisa: Social media is great, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. To help with name recognition, put your name on jumps at shows, and go to shows with flyers and brochures to help get name recognition. Almost every state has a horse expo, even if you cannot afford a booth, put t-shirts on and go pass out your information. The more visible you are, the better the chance of a successful placement. Jane: Do you have any upcoming events you would like to share? Lisa: The Exceller Fund and Take the Lead, the NY retirement program, will be at the Meadow Event Park in Dolthwell, VA., July 25th-July 17th. For The Thoroughbred Heritage Show, taking place at the birth place of Secretariat, we will be sponsoring an exhibitor’s pizza party and giving a talk about the Exceller Fund and Take the Lead. It is a varied show with classes for hunters, jumpers, dressage, and even Western events. This will be a fun show so be sure to pop by and see us.
Racing under Saddle Returns for the 2014 Season Monte racing, or as it is more commonly know, Racing Under Saddle (RUS), kicked off the 2014 season at Goshen, New York in early July. The series continues through September and includes racing in New York, Maryland, and New Jersey. There are currently 60 riders participating in this emerging sport. July 3 July 4 July 10 July 13 July 14 July 18 July 25 July 29 Aug. 2 Aug. 5 Aug. 12 Aug. 16 Aug. 19 Aug. 29 Sept. 20
NY Fair Series Vernon Downs NY Fair Series Ocean Downs NY Fair Series Meadowlands Meadowlands NY Fair Series Meadowlands NY Fair Series NY Fair Series Vernon Downs NY Fair Series final Vernon Downs Freehold
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n August 23rd, all eyes will turn to Normandy as the 2014 World Equestrian Games begin. For the Standardbreds on Stage participants it is a bitter-sweet moment, as we look back at the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Kentucky and long to do it all again.
Our journey started on July 2, 2007 when an email went out to “Standardbred Pleasure Horse Enthusiasts.” It stated that: “The USTA is now accepting applications for Standardbreds to be included in a breed demonstration that we are seeking to stage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Sept. 25–Oct. 10, 2010 in Lexington, Ky. The 2010 Games will be the first of its kind held in North America and the Standardbreds are aiming to be among the breeds chosen to have a breed demonstration at this prestigious event. The demonstration, if selected, will likely run for 15-20 minutes and will highlight the best of what Standardbreds have to offer. To be considered, we must have a top selection of Standardbreds who compete in the pleasure horse arena (dressage, hunter jumper, barrel racing, endurance, pleasure and/or combined driving, roadster horses, etc.).” The response was astounding, with applications arriving from around the country. In total eight horses represented the breed in the Equestrian Village during WEG. As we celebrate the four year anniversary of our achievement, join us for a look at the athleticisim that caused them to be chosed and what they are doing today. Draken - This 1992 Dragon’s Lair gelding (pictured above), completed a successful racing career with Morrisville College while teaching young adults about Standardbred racing. Since retiring in 2000, he has gone on to successfully compete in pleasure, marathon, cones and dressage driving with Kathleen Haak at the reins. As a three-time SPHO National Champion driving horse he shows off the best traits of a driving Standardbred. Today the 22-year old is primarily perfecting his grass eating talents but enjoys the occasional drive. Draken particularly enjoys going to sleigh rallies during the winter months.
Road Kar - Our Hunter Under Saddle was Lena O’Brien and her gelding, Road Kar. Road Kar had 128 starts at many different racetracks on the East Coast and won close to $300,000 by the time he was eight. He set a track record at Monticello Raceway in New York that was untouched for over ten years. Then horse shows entered his life, and Road Kar continued his winning ways, include the 2000 SPHO Horse of the Year, The National Versatility, Driving and Equitation Champion as well as many wins in Non-Standardbred Open Classes. Most special, though, Road Kar enjoys being the star during Anatomy classes at summer camp, where students often cover him with post-it-notes. Dreamy Starlet - ‘Dreamy’ raced for two years before becoming a broodmare. She entered the show ring at the grand old age of 15 with her owner/rider Elizabeth Tewksbury. The pair have competed in USDF recognized dressage shows at Training Level, beginner novice three-phase eventing and “A”-rated hunter under-saddle and over-fences classes. Now 23, this talented mare hasn’t slowed down a bit. In recent years they have enjoyed fox hunting, tried cutting cattle, explored sidesaddle, all while continuing to compete in dressage. Additionally, “Dreamy” is featured in the new book ‘Standardbred Old Friends,’ a collection of photos and stories about horses of distinction, now in the twilight of their lives.
Jambalyabar Man (JB) - As a three-year old, the Show Jumping representative, JB, made a smooth transition from harness race horse to riding horse in 2005. Helene Gregory and JB teamed up in 2008 and in their first year together, they were High Point Standardbred at the Meadow Hunter Jumper Series in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Their winning ways have continued in jumping, hunter, western pleasure and driving. Helene Gregory continues to show and be active in the SPHO-NJ but she’s becoming more well know for her leading roll in developing Racing Under Saddle opportunities in the U.S.
Whiz Bang (left) and Sea the Gray (right) - Traveling from Florida to join us in Kentucky these USDF award winners put on a wonderful Pas de Deux prsentation. In 2007, Whiz Bang became the first Standardbred in history, to be recognized for her dressage accomplishments by the United States Dressage Federation. She was the USDF All-Breed Award Champion at Training Level. Whiz Bang, ridden at WEG by trainer Heather Caudill, took some time off but is now back in training with owner, Tina Bombard, Whiz needs one more + 60% score to earn her Second Level Dressage Certificate. Sea the Gray was purchased from SPHO-FL by her WEG riding partner, Denise Zimmerer in 2011. Semi-retired, Sea the Gray and Denise participate in formation riding, participating in demonstrations throughout Florida. Gem Pro - A combined driving horse, Gem Pro and his driver, Jennifer Sperry, participate in driven dressage, cones and marathons. With Steve Sperry acting as navigator, Pro Gem and Jennifer have made a mark on the California driving scene. Making the long trip from California to Kentucky was a unique opportunity in itself but combined with demonstrating at WEG, it was a once in a lifetime trip. The Sperry’s are still driving and can often be found talking about the versitility of the Standardbred.
Veruca Salt (Legs) - With over 200 winning ribbons in showring, demonstrating versitility in both english and western riding styles, Legs has got it going on! The only KY horse in the group, Legs and her owner, Laura Harbour were also able to participate in events leading up to WEG, including the International Equestrian Festival. You may have also seen this talented mare in Horse Illustrated, October 2013. Her pasture mate, and fellow Standardbred, Heavymetalthunder (aka Saxon) is also a Horse Illustrated model, appearing in the January 2014 edition. Laura and her horses are looking forward to returning to the show ring after taking a break for educational opportunities. Continued....
Coming Full Circle
A
with Laura Burnside
s a horselover, have you ever wondered what has happened to your favorite Standardbred racehorse? In November of 2010, the United States Trotting Association began a program called Full Circle in order to help you find that favorite horse if it should ever require help.
The idea is fairly straight forward. If there is a horse you would like to ‘help’ you can contact the USTA to record your contact information. Your information will then be attached to that particular horse. There is no charge or obligation for doing this, it is not binding. In the event the owner of that horse begins to look for options for that horse he/she could contact you to see if you could help each other to help that horse. could be almost anything. They could be seeking a new owner, a turnout area, possible monetary assistance with care for that horse, assistance with retraining for a pleasure home, a forever home, etc‌. If you are in a position to help then you can do so but there is no legal obligation to do so. You can enroll a horse even if it is just a name which appeals to you. You do not have to have had contact with the horse before. Anyone is welcome to try to help. According to Ellen Harvey of the USTA, 444 people have enrolled a total of 5,872 horses. Some of them have been enrolled by more than one person so the number of enrollments is 6,273 for 5,872 individual horses. When using PaTHWaY Horse Name/Tattoo Search the Full Circle logo (like the one above) will appear along with the normal registration information if the horse is signed up for the program. Unfortunately, once the USTA links the two parties there is no further contact by the USTA so there are no success stories. I personally enrolled at least a dozen horses when the program started but have never been contacted by the current owners. If you have been involved in this program we would love to hear about it. Send your stories, good or bad, to Laura at livingforlivestock@gmail.com
The New Pleasure Registration Rule In an effort to protect Standardbreds that are changing owners with the promise of a good off-the-track home the USTA now offers the opportunity to change the registration of horses to Pleasure Horse. This is not a change to be undertaken lightly as it is permanent and cannot be reversed by a future owner. Once the conversion is done the equine can not be raced and offspring can not be registered through the USTA. The Pleasure Registration can not be done on a horse that is no longer in the care, custody or control of the registered owner. Because of the permance of this step, a signed application must be presented to the USTA for enrollment. There is no fee for the conversion but you must be a member. Pleasure Registered Standardbreds can still be shown by future owners and would be eligible for breed specific awards.
Journey to WEG and Beyond Continued...
Perhaps one of the best things to come out of our WEG experience is the friendships - as demonstrated by this picture of Laura Harbour, Liz Tewksbury, and Helene Gregory. Over the four years since the event we have all maintained contact with each other to various extents.
C
over girl, Olivia Kimelman, who was part of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation group that demonstrated harness racing at the Equestrian Village had a similar experience. Together with Philip Antonacci, Mollie Fenwick and Carter Pinske, they displayed their driving expertise. They wowed the crowds while dressed in eye-catching red, white and blue colors. Today Olivia continues to be active in Standardbreds. The cover photo is of Olivia riding her Mom’s horse, Come Getcha Some, at the 2013 National Standardbred show. Although she’s been driving STBs most of her life it wasn’t until about two years ago that Olivia started riding Standardbreds for the first time. She has a 14-year-old, grey gelding named
Lancelot that loves jumping. Olivia now claims she is addicted to Standardbreds, both on and off the track. As for the influence WEG had on her life, Olivia can’t begin to explain it. The print and radio intervews, along with the actual experience opened doors she never even knew existed. As Olivia heads off to college at the University of Kentucky this fall she’ll not only be taking her memories of WEG with her but also her Standardbred.
Fresh Off The Track This series is designed to present tips that may make your Standardbred more comfortable. Not all horses will benefit from these tips, when in doubt consult a professional who can evaluate your horse on a one-on-one basis.
Sheath Cleaning Whether your horse is playing in the pasture or training on the track they are getting dirty. One spot that commonly gets missed during grooming is the sheath area. While a gentle spray with warm water is fine for normal cleaning, a more involved cleaning may be needed occasionally. Horses naturally produce dead skin cells and oils that combine in the sheath area to create smegma. Smegma, when combined with dirt, creates a dark, waxy looking substance that accumulates on the penis and sheath area. If you’re not familiar with male horse anatomy, the sheath is the folds of skin that the penis withdraws into. While many horses can go their entire lives without having their sheaths cleaned, other horses may experience difficulty urinating as a result of smegma buildup. The buildup is often referred to as a ‘bean.’ When cleaning the sheath keep in mind that this is a sensitive area for your horse. If your horse has never had his sheath cleaned before or is in great need then you may need a veterinarian’s assistance. A sedative may help your horse to relax and drop down, allowing easier access for cleaning. With or without a sedative, be alert for kicking. What you’ll need: • Sheath Cleaner - There are commercial sheath cleaning products that you can purchase. You can also use gentle detergent mixed with water, baby oil or mineral oil to remove the smegma. An old school method of sheath cleaning is to use Fura-Zone. Use what makes you and your horse the most comfortable – the end goal being to gently loosen any foreign matter in the sheath. • Disposable Gloves • Water • Towels What to do: Ultimately you’re going to need to coat your hand with the cleaning product that you’ve decided upon. You’ll need to insert your hand up into the sheath. Some horses will draw their penis up as far as possible while others will allow you to handle them. Either way you need to coat as much of the area as you can reach with the softening agent. Wait a few minutes. Gently work your hand over the smegma, allowing pieces of it to break off. Depending on how in need your horse is you may need to rinse your hand off several times. You can, if your horse is comfortable with it, use a soft sponge to rinse some of the dirt directly off the penis. There are a variety of opinions on how clean the sheath and penis should be. If you are showing and the horse drops down during the class, you may be pointed down by the judge if that area is not spotless. However, if you’re not showing, then a bi-yearly check-up may be sufficient. Mares can also benefit for an occasional cleaning of the udder area.