Month: February 2016

A good horse – and a trainer who didn’t ruin the good.

The Retired Racehorse Project released their list of trainers which they feel make this years Thoroughbred Makeover exciting, and as the winner of one of the disciplines from last year, I was number one on the list for dressage. My bio read like this… 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover Dressage Division Winner on Called To Serve. Carleigh is an amateur who has enjoyed training and selling … Read More A good horse – and a trainer who didn’t ruin the good.

Saying Goodbye: The Story of Feel the Beat

How do you measure a horses life? Is it in competitions won? Purses earned? Ribbon’s hanging? Or live’s touched? I surround myself with some pretty phenomenal horsemen and women. Living in Lexington, Kentucky, I get to be with the best of the best. The best breeders, the best veterinarians, the best blacksmiths, and the best staff. We spend our days, our nights, our lives … Read More Saying Goodbye: The Story of Feel the Beat

Tiny Packages

“The path to becoming a successful rider is in riding every horse.  Every single horse that you are offered.  This is the simplest way to bettering yourself.” We have all read a status similar to this on Denny Emerson’s Facebook page.  I know I have.  Every time I read them, I am forced to reassess my goals, my strategy, and my game plan.  I … Read More Tiny Packages

The Workhorse

I remember the foreman of a ranch sitting next to me, patting my knee, and teaching me one of the most important lessons of life: “You work your workhorse the hardest.” I had asked to meet with him to talk of my position on the ranch, befuddled at the fact that I was asked to do more than many of the other staff.  Not … Read More The Workhorse

To be sound, to be happy, to be safe.

A few months ago, Larry’s owner Drew called me and said that he thought Larry wanted a job.  For those of you who haven’t followed along with this story, Larry’s is one of trials and tribulations in the most circular sense. We had bred him at Chesapeake Farm, raised him up to the racetrack, but he was sold privately as a 4 year old. … Read More To be sound, to be happy, to be safe.

A fistful of mane, a prayer to the God’s, and a good partner

On October 2nd, 2007, my life came crashing down.  It seems so strange to think that this was almost 10 years ago.  A decade.  And yet some memories are so vivid from that day, while others are blacked out permanently. I was a senior in college and the fall semester had just begun.  I was desperate to get into veterinary school, and knew that … Read More A fistful of mane, a prayer to the God’s, and a good partner