During his racing career, Icabad Crane competed under Graham Motion's banner, racing 33 times before being retired and sent by owner Earle Mack to seven-time eventing Olympian Phillip Dutton, owner of True Prospect Farm in West Grove, Penn.
Icabad made a splash on the horse show scene, winning the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makover's “Most Wanted Thoroughbred” title in 2014. The gelding then advanced through the CCI2* level with Dutton aboard before becoming the mount of Dutton's daughter, Olivia.
After breaking a bone in his hind leg, Icabad returned to competition with Olivia before being taken over by Dutton's wife, Evie, who rode and jumped Icabad, but didn't compete him.
Never a horse to enjoy a slower-paced life, Dutton recognized that the gelding was bored. He called Motion, who took Icabad back to the track as a pony horse at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, where Motion keeps his primary racing string.
The Chronicle of the Horse reported last week that Motion uses Icabad as his personal mount to pony horses currently in training. Icabad often leads the horses out on gallops in the field or watches them while they work on the track. Motion notes that Icabad's great disposition and brain have allowed the gelding to excel at many jobs.
Motion credits Icabad and Dutton for bringing attention to how much Thoroughbreds can accomplish when they retire from racing. Dutton is quick to point out that Motion is deeply vested in racehorse aftercare, ensuring horses that race for him retire to quality homes.
Read more at the Chronicle of the Horse.
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