That's Why I'm Me is a spicy, opinionated chestnut that came to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program's Gansevort, N.Y., facility in the spring of 2022 through NYTHA's Take 2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program. After rehabbing three months for a tendon injury, trainer Amanda Vance started transitioning her to pleasure riding.
“She had a great work ethic and was super brave,” Vance said. “But she was also a hot tamale and not a particularly pretty mover. Unfortunately, she just wasn't the right fit for the adopters inquiring about her.”
Then one day on a New Vocations Zoom call, trainer Bridget Hollern mentioned that she was looking for a horse to develop in the Western disciplines to compete at the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover; a mare was okay and small was actually an attribute. Vance told Hollern she had a good candidate for her to consider. Hollern promptly called her after the meeting. Photos and videos were sent, and just like that, the little mare with only one start and $300 in earnings was on her way to Ohio to learn ranch work.
Hollern soon dubbed her new project “Shorty” or “Princess Shortcakes” in reference to her mere 15 hh stature and bought a smaller saddle to fit her.
“She is everything expected of a chestnut mare,” Hollern laughed. “She hates to be groomed, but loves to be muddy. She loves to work but wants everything to be her idea. And when it's time to work, she is ready to go!”
It wasn't long before Hollern had Shorty working scary trail obstacles and ground tying. Then Hollern introduced her to cattle — actually buffalo, since that's what was available. When spring arrived, Shorty competed at a ranch riding show as well as in hand at a local hunter show.
“She seems to really enjoy her cattle work,” Hollern said. “She loves a challenge and gives her all every time. She was much more stressed at our local hunter show, where all she did was the halter class, than she was with the busy atmosphere of the ranch show.”
The next experience on Shorty's road to the RRP was mounted shooting.
“She was an absolute champ at that event,” said Hollern. “She rode with all the horses in the arena, saw the balloons, barrels, poles and worked around all the gun shots without an issue. We haven't actually fired off of her yet, but we don't expect her to have any issues with it.”
So what kind of training was being done on the scorching hot days of August? Swimming in Alum Creek fit into the Western riding scene nicely along with tackling trail obstacles at an American Ranch Horse Show. When they finally arrive at the Makeover in Lexington, Oct. 11-14, you can be sure the New Vocations team will eagerly be cheering for Bridget and her little red mare.
The post From The Starting Gate To Working Buffalo, This Chestnut Mare Shows No Fear appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
