Megnog was bred by Norm Clemmens, CEO of AmWager, out of his talented mare Blue Northern. Foaled and raised a Longfield Farm near Clemmens' home in Prospect, Ky., the daughter of Northern Afleet was given his niece's college nickname.
Megnog raced from ages two to seven, compiling 47 starts and $122,086 in earnings.
“During her racing career, she was sturdy, healthy and did not suffer any significant physical issues,” Clemmens said. “If she ever demonstrated the headstrong and quirky side of her personality, that was definitely inherited from her mother. Regretfully, Megnog was claimed from us during her 4-year-old season, and we missed her company.”
Clemmens continued to follow Megnog throughout the remainder of her career, always staying in touch with her various trainers to remind them that she had a place to go when she retired. That time came in 2016 and Clemmens brought her home while he planned the next chapter of her life.
“She was healthy, smart and wanted to be active,” said Clemmens, “I had an established relationship with New Vocations and couldn't think of a better situation for Megnog but to place her in this wonderful program.”
In 2017, Megnog was adopted as a Pony Club mount to a family in New York. Unfortunately, after 18 months and an undiagnosed lameness, she was returned to New Vocations. The veterinarian treated her for back soreness and she rode great. Megnog was subsequently adopted to a family in Delaware but was returned eight months later for bad behavior, including rearing, bucking and bolting.
“Megnog was a horse who seemed to know no limits,” said New Vocations trainer Leandra Cooper. “She was very athletic but could be difficult to ride because she was strong and smart – a winning combination for the right person, but it spelled disaster for a rider who was over-mounted.”
Megnog needed just the right kind of person and she found it with Margret Stiles in North Carolina. Margret is an exceptional horsewoman and has brought along a few horses who were definitely not easy mounts, with great success.
“Megnog aka “M” and I were meant to be,” Stiles said. “I drove to Kentucky in 2017 hoping to adopt her when she was initially posted, but when I got there, she was gone. I adopted another sweet horse instead. Two and a half years later, I wanted another project, and I happened to look at New Vocations. There was Megnog! She was back! I called Leandra immediately and paid for her (while driving to the beach for vacation). I didn't care that she'd been returned twice; I was so excited to have her!”
Stiles started taking Megnog on trails and slowly building muscle. When she finally put her in the ring, Megnog couldn't trot straight or hold a canter lead. Stiles immediately had her veterinarian/chiropractor work on the mare's back.
“Though [her back] was in horrendous shape, M had never once offered to buck or bolt,” Stiles said. “She has a very pronounced spine and withers. I think her previous behavioral issues were probably from poor fitting tack. I bought myself a present: a new saddle for both M and myself. That has made the difference, I believe.”
Stiles was diligent rehabbing M's back with lots of chiropractic work, slow muscle building and climbing hills. Gradually, the mare started getting stronger and stronger.
“Jumping was hard, but we started slow,” Stiles said. “M loved it but wasn't good at it because of her back. We took our time, and I allowed her to tell me when she was ready.
“The trust we have in each other is amazing. Our dressage is now amazing; our cross country is even better. We still struggle at times with stadium, as M likes to get strong and flat and we like to take rails. But I don't care. We are out there competing against the best of them and showing that racehorses can be competitive in eventing.”
In spite of her circuitous journey, the now 13-year-old mare with patient and skilled Margret Stiles aboard, qualified for both the 2021 and 2022 American Eventing Championships in both novice and training level.
Dot Morgan is the founder and executive director of the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.
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