“Obviously the game has changed with the emergence of unlimited stall allocations,” Schosberg said. “It's really affected the competitiveness of it. It used to be that every barn had a different outfit. Now there are trainers that take up five barns. That has really hurt the smaller trainer. It's hard to compete. I have nothing against Todd [Pletcher] or Chad [Brown]. They did nothing wrong and played by the rules. More power to them.

“There are a lot of reasons I'm doing this now and certainly the financial part of it was a factor.  It's hard to work seven days a week living in New York and taking home $55,000.That just covers the property taxes around here.”

But Schosberg is not complaining on his way out the door. Nor is he about to disappear. Schosberg will remain active on several fronts and will continue to spend much of his time working on horsemen's issues and advancing the cause of Thoroughbred aftercare. He is a vice president with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the president of two aftercare initiatives, Take 2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and Take the Lead. He also sits on the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. He has been called the “conscious of the backstretch.”

“Something had to change,” he said. “We needed a system whereby the horsemen had an avenue that included a safety net for the horses. The industry has a responsibility to take care of these horses once they transition off the racetrack. Seventy-five percent of their lives comes after they are done racing. It's daunting task to be able to find facilities and organizations that are up to standard to make sure these horses are taken care of and rehabilitated for purposeful second careers. This work is very important to me.”

Schosberg will also continue to work with the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority and is on that organization's horsemen's advisory committee. There's more: he will continue on as an owner and has some horses in partnership with Clear Stars Stable. He also sits on the board of Marx Realty, a Manhattan-based commercial real estate company that was started by his grandfather.

“I'm still going to be around,” he said. “It's just that I don't have to get out of bed at 3:30 in the morning any more. Trust me, that gets old fast.”

Schosberg, a Cornell graduate, worked for trainers Tom Skiffington, Sid Watters and Walter Kelley before going out on his own in 1988. He won 62 races in 1993, 63 in 2000 and will finish his career with 876 winners from 5,794 starters and earnings of $38,278,409. His best horse was Maria's Mon, the champion 2-year-old colt of 1995 and the winner of the GI Champagne S. and the GI Futurity S. He also campaigned Affirmed Success, whose career included wins in the GI Cigar Mile H., the GI Carter H. and the GI Vosburgh S. Schosberg won 25 graded races.

“I've had a wonderful career and have been lucky to have wonderful clients and owners,” he said.

With his stable including about 15 horses through much of this year, Schosberg has won 12 races in 2022. He won seven last year and six the year before. He will officially continue on as a trainer for the remainder of the calendar year, but does not have any horses entered for the rest of 2022. His horses will be dispersed, some going to trainer David Duggan and the rest to trainer David Donk.

For Schosberg, Thursday was like so many other days, thousands of them in fact. He got up early, worked, drove back and forth between Aqueduct and Belmont, ran a horse who didn't live up to her 5-1 odds and put in a 13-hour day. But now that's all done with.

“How did it feel? I don't think it has sunk in yet,” he said when asked about starting his last horse.

Come Sunday and the beginning of the new year, he can catch a couple extra hours of sleep and won't have to deal with the pressures of trying to grind out a living with a medium-sized stable. It figures to be a good day.

The post Thirty Two Years and 5,794 Starters Later, Rick Schosberg Calls it a Career appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Hosted by the David Cassidy Memorial Legacy Group (DCMLG), the fundraiser aims to promote racing and to support Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, this year including the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, NYRA Cares, Take The Lead, Take2 and Columbia Greene Humane Society.

Debuting in 2021, the David Cassidy Remember Me Awards will again be included at this year's summer fundraiser. Featured among the award categories are Thoroughbred Aftercare Awards, Compassionate Trainers and Owners Awards, Heart of Saratoga Awards, Animal Welfare and Advocacy Awards, Animal Rescues and Shelters Awards, Amazing Horse Racing Awards and Thoroughbred Horse Racing Community Awards. The program will also include a concert.

The DCMLG previously announced a scholarship program, which includes four scholarships: The David Bruce Cassidy Thoroughbred Horse Racing Family Scholarship; David Bruce Cassidy Memorial Saratoga County Scholarship; The Dr. Jerry Bilinski Animal Sciences Scholarship; and The David Bruce Cassidy Theatre and The Arts Scholarship. The deadline for all scholarship applications is Apr. 12. For more information, email DavidCassidyIts4ever@gmail.com.

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Schosberg Claims, Retires Twisted Tom

In his role as the president of Take The Lead, a retirement program for Thoroughbreds based at the NYRA tracks, Rick Schosberg's message has always been that it's better to retire a horse too early than too late. In other words, don't take any unnecessary chances.

So when Schosberg saw that a one-time New York-bred champion, the 8-year-old Twisted Tom (Creative Cause), was entered in  a $10,000 claiming race Saturday at Aqueduct, he decided to act. Schosberg, who had never trained the horse, reached in and claimed Twisted Tom for the $10,000, immediately retired him and sent him off to start the retraining process at ReRun in East Greenbush, New York.

“I like to practice what I preach,” Schosberg said.

Twisted Tom won nine of 42 career starts and earned $939,135. He finished second Saturday, losing by just a half-length.

Twisted Tom's story was a typical one. He debuted in 2016 for trainer George Weaver and broke his maiden in his second start but, in time and after age set in, found himself racing on the bottom.

After his maiden win he moved over to the Chad Brown barn and went on to win five stakes in 2017. The list includes wins in open company in the Private Terms S. and the Federico Tesio S. His 2017 campaign, which included a sixth-place finish in the GI Belmont S., ended with his being named champion 3-year-old male New York-bred.

After a pair of losses in 2018 and after he was moved to the Bill Mott barn on June 19, 2019, he made his first ever start in a claiming race. He was taken that day by trainer David Cannizzo and, in the short-term, proved to be competitive in New York-bred allowance/optional claiming races while bouncing around from the barns of A.C. Avila, Mike Maker, Bruce Levine and Mertkan Kantarmaci.

But in November, after finishing off the board in four straight races, he was dropped in for $10,000. He managed to finish a distant second that day, but followed that up with a 16 1/4-length defeat in a starter allowance at Parx. Kantarmaci then dropped him back in for $10,000 for Saturday's race.

“He's 8 years old and it looked like it was time for him to retire,” Schosberg said. “He had been a voided claim a couple starts back. There were a lot of people who agreed that this was the right thing to do. People came by the barn this morning to say goodbye. He's a real popular horse. I got a lot of messages from prior trainers and connections thanking me for doing this.”

There was a time when there would have been little chance that a horse like Twisted Tom would have been retired when he was. Not that long ago, if a horse couldn't make it on the bottom in New York, they would be sent to a Penn National or a Mountaineer Park. With each race, the risk of injury would grow greater. If a horse couldn't compete on the bottom at the lower tier tracks a trip to the slaughterhouse could be next.

With initiatives like Take The Lead leading the way, the industry ushered in meaningful change. Created by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the program sees to it that all horses racing in New York can enjoy a safe and happy retirement, with many of them going to second careers.

“It's not just me,” Schosberg said. “I have a great team of people helping out. The owners and the trainers, NYRA, everybody in the racing office, the Gaming Commission, veterinarians, van companies, everybody volunteers their time and their efforts to make sure this initiative is at the forefront of the aftercare industry.”

At ReRun, Twisted Tom will be prepared for his second career.

“There are so many things for these retired race horses to do,” Schosberg said. “In his case, 60 to 70% of his life is still ahead of him. There are so many activities now for these retired horses. They don't need to spend the rest of their years standing out in a field somewhere. These are horses that are used to having a job.”

Schosberg said that Twisted Tom was in good order after Saturday's race. He is sound, healthy and is guaranteed a great retirement. It's the perfect ending to his story.

Brook Smith Not Done Trying to Help Churchill's Backside Learning Center

Brook Smith's heart was in the right place when he wagered $10,000 on Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb) in the second round of the Derby Future Wager. If Tiz the Bomb went on to win the GI Kentucky Derby, Smith would have donated the proceeds from his winnings, $114,000, to the backside center.

The Backside Learning Center serves as a resource center for the equine backstretch community, providing educational programs and services and promoting community amongst the backstretch workers and their families.

After Saturday's GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream, it doesn't look like Smith made what will be a winning wager. Tiz the Bomb was trying the dirt after three straight tries on the turf and didn't fare well, finishing seventh. Though trainer Ken McPeek said afterward that he hasn't given up on getting the colt to the Derby, it looks like Tiz the Bomb's future will be on the grass.

But Smith isn't done. Still hoping to find a way to raise awareness and funds for the Backside Learning Center, he said Sunday that he is looking to buy into a Derby contender. If he can make that happen, he will donate a share of the horse's earnings to the “Purses for a Purpose” program. Started by Smith, Purses for a Purpose involves owners pledging to donate a portion of their earnings to the backside center.

“Why won't or why don't more owners allocate a small percentage of their earnings to similar programs?” Smith said.

Eighteen Months Later, Montanez Is Back

Jockey Rosario Montanez finished sixth in the fifth race Jan, 30 at Laurel, but there was plenty of reason to celebrate. It was his first mount since a July 17, 2020 spill, also at Laurel, that left his career in doubt.

One day after the spill, Montanez, 31, underwent surgery at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He had multiple back fractures and was diagnosed with a brain injury. He was told that these were injuries that could prevent him from making a comeback.

“After so many obstacles, I'm very blessed that I was able to overcome all of them,” Montanez said after his return mount.  “I'm very thankful to all the doctors and nurses and all the staff that helped me make it back.”

This was the second time that Montanez had had a serious injury. He missed 20 months after suffering a concussion, a fractured rib and pelvis and head lacerations that required a plate to be surgically inserted in his face after a July 2014 spill at Saratoga.

His determination and perseverance is admirable. A capable rider, it shouldn't be long until he returns to the winner's circle.

The post The Week in Review: Some Good News for a Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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One is concrete: following up the TAA's banner 2021 by continuing to pursue the organization's proven, long-range strategy in 2022 of raising funds for TAA-accredited aftercare facilities – all geared to re-homing retired racehorses.

The other is more personal, best measured by the tales of the racehorses adopted and how they're thriving in their new careers. For Clark Rogers, the industry's “success stories” are what she and the others in the aftercare community relish most of all.

“Fundraising will continue to be our primary focus because the assistance goes directly to the organizations now caring for the horses,” said Clark Rogers, the TAA's operations consultant. “But we love hearing the follow-up stories about the horses adopted and how they're doing. In New York, that means building on a number of successes in what was a great 2021.”

The TAA awarded a record $3.7 million in grants in 2021 to 82 of its accredited aftercare organizations comprising approximately 180 facilities in North America, including 10 in New York State.

Clark estimates that since the TAA's inception it has affected approximately 13,700 horses, a number that should grow by more than 3,500 in 2022, which is about the average of the last several years.

Among the organization's highlights in 2021 was the inaugural TAA Day in August at Saratoga Race Course, which generated nationwide attention to the importance and benefits of thoroughbred aftercare. The two-day event on Whitney Weekend raised funds for various TAA-affiliated organizations, and provided significant exposure to aftercare at one of the country's most prestigious and closely followed meets.

“NYRA and the New York horsemen have been great supporters of TAA since our inception (in 2012), but TAA Day at Saratoga was amazing,” said Clark Rogers. “For us, it was a validation that aftercare is an integral part of our industry – and one that embraces the whole diverse racing community. That it happened at Saratoga, with such a large fan base and all the media coverage, was huge.”

Backing the TAA in its pursuit of industry-wide funding is the steadfast year-round support of NYRA and its horsemen. Every owner competing at NYRA racetracks donates $10 per start to the TAA, which funds the aftercare organizations that provide homes for retired racehorses.

New York's horsemen also donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of every horse claimed at a NYRA track to TAA and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's Take the Lead program, which provides preliminary vet exams and treatment, as well as costs related to transportation, rehabilitation or retraining. The recently-concluded Big A fall meet saw 47 total claims made for a total of more than $1.34 million, generating in excess of $20,000 for aftercare.

Meanwhile, the hard work of accrediting more facilities and re-homing retired racehorses continues. Among the organizations achieving TAA accreditation in 2021 was Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga or THS, which specializes in equine assisted therapy and rescues and retrains retired racehorses for hands-on work with individuals in need. Clark Rogers is soon headed to Spokane, Wash., where she plans to meet with officials of a prison about setting up an aftercare program that uses horses to help rehabilitate inmates.

Small wonder that rehoming retired racehorses is an everyday task involving a never-ending number of details for New York-based trainer Rick Schosberg, who is on the TAA board and also runs the Take The Lead retirement program.

Schosberg said the Take The Lead program is “rapidly approaching” its 900th horse placed thorough the program, a number it should hit in 2022.

“At the moment, I have 12 horses who are transitioning off the track,” Schosberg said. “At any time of the week, we have anywhere from five to 12 horses on our list in different phases of transition. We are very busy and have horses leaving for retirement all the time.”

Take The Lead's goal with each horse is to create a profile and then network with potential aftercare facilities. To do so, the organization gathers information and medical records and ensures that a vet provide a thorough evaluation of each horse for soundness or any lingering injuries. Key is the need to research and find those horses the best fit and career, whether it's show jumping, dressage, part of a rehabilitation program or as a companion, turned out on the family farm.

Working to a retired racehorse's advantage is what Schosberg called “an innate ability to learn new things.”

“[From knowing] the starting gate, the big track, the little track and jogging the right way and the wrong way, they're already processed for that,” Schosberg said.

To make it work, Schosberg, Take The Lead's executive director, Andy Belfiore, and aftercare coordinator, Kristin Mason, hold weekly conference calls with an eye to where the horses in transition stand. No detail is too small, from evaluating a thoroughbred's quirks and habits to bringing in a vet for an exam to checking on van schedules to see if there are any slots on an upcoming trip to Saratoga or Florida in which a transitioning horse might catch a ride to its new home.

“All in all, it's a busy week and there are times when we're inundated [with aftercare work],” said Schosberg. “The funny thing is that with modern technology, there are a lack of parameters, and I'll get a call about a horse at 7 p.m. or 4 a.m. I tend to do a lot of my aftercare work before training – that's between 3:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. when I'm headed to the barn. A lot of the answers to my questions come back in 'now time,' so I have them by the time training is finished. Things can move along pretty quickly.”

Schosberg added that the commitment to aftercare from owners, NYTHA, NYRA and other parts of the industry in New York, combined with the best racing in the country, make New York “better than any other jurisdiction” when it comes to aftercare.

“Because New York has the best racing, it should have the best aftercare facilities – and it does.” he said. “It's why they [aftercare organizations] want to be here and there are several great ones from ReRun to Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue and others.”

There are success stories just about everywhere you look. In 2021, ReRun in East Greenbush, N.Y. arranged the adoption of between 90 and 110 retired thoroughbreds, all but about 10 of which are former NYRA horses, according to its executive director Lisa Molloy.

“We work primarily with NYRA because hands down, they're the best racehorses,” said Molloy. “That makes us about as 'New York' as it gets.”

Among the recent adoptees at ReRun was the New York-bred Ragnar Lothbrok. Trained by Gary Gullo, the dark bay ran at all three NYRA tracks, but was retired after five races due to injury. Adopted in January 2020 by the Fuller family of Poultney, Vermont, the dark bay now competes in eventing and dressage with Tayah Fuller, a 15-year-old freshman at Poultney High School.

In October, Ragnar Lothbrok who the family now calls Zyn, and Fuller came in third for show jumping and eventing at the Retired Racehorse Project in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Fullers also have two other horses on their farm. In November, the family adopted another NYRA veteran, the Kentucky-bred Recidivist who was trained by Kelly Breen. It's Tayah's responsibility to care for all of them.

“We couldn't possibly have received a better match than Zyn,” said Rommy Fuller-Young, Tayah's mother. “He's athletic, intelligent and has the best temperament. He's really the perfect fit.”

The post For New York Aftercare Organizations, The Success Stories Keep On Coming appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Presented by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB), New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day will highlight the work of a variety of organizations committed to initiatives to benefit retired racehorses.

Zivo will lead the post parade for the day's featured event at the Spa, the $100,000 Rick Violette S. Now 12, Zivo serves as the stable pony for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who was assistant to Chad Brown when Zivo was under his care. He was originally retired to stud Irish Hill Century Farm before being pensioned.

“When I found out he was being pensioned there was no other option as to where he was going,” DeVaux said. “It was just a matter of what capacity with me and my family. I'm really excited the fans will get to see him once again.”

Uncle Sigh's lone race beyond the borders of the Empire State came in the 2014 Derby. He retired through New York's TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program to ReRun in upstate New York in January 2020.

“He acted like he had lived here his entire life,” said ReRun Executive Director Lisa Molloy. “He never missed a beat–he usually takes most things in his stride.”

More than 800 of New York's racehorses have been retired to TAA-accredited facilities through the TAKE THE LEAD Program. In addition to Zivo and Uncle Sigh, there will be demonstrations by TAKE THE LEAD graduates on the Saratoga main track before the first race Wednesday, with ReRun and New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program putting five horses through their second career paces. The demonstrations will take place between the eighth pole and the finish line from 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Click for more information about TAKE THE LEAD.

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On this week's episode of The Friday Show, bloodstock editor Joe Nevills speaks with Schosberg about his role as president of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Program in New York, and what makes aftercare such an important issue for him to pursue.

They also discuss the upcoming New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day to be held at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 21, the importance of full industry cooperation in the aftercare effort, and what elements are important to sustain a reputable aftercare operation.

Defending Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart is our Woodbine Star of the Week, returning to his home country to earn his first graded stakes victory with a front-running triumph in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes.

Watch this week's show, presented by Monmouth Park, below:

The post The Friday Show Presented By Monmouth Park: Aftercare Education In Saratoga And Beyond appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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In October 2019, the 34-year-old Graham, who manages a medical office in Norfolk, Conn.,, was visiting friends and window shopping for a new ride at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue in Pawling, N.Y., when she passed by the then 7-year-old gelding's stall and he rebuffed her friendly overtures.

“He tried to bite me,” said Graham with a laugh. “He's a bit of a grouch in his stall.”

Fast forward a few weeks later to the Equine Affaire in Massachusetts – an exposition and gathering for the equine community – and Tizno had his second chance to make a first impression when Graham was offered a trial ride in a busy schooling ring.

“Tizno was certainly a love-at-first-ride horse for me. I knew by the second lap at the trot that this was my horse,” Graham said. “Tizno has a lot of presence. He's a big horse that moves quite well and is super athletic. When I sat on him, I could tell he had a great mind and enjoys working and learning.”

Sired by 2008 Grade 1 Travers-winner Colonel John, the 17-hands tall Tizno is out of the multiple stakes-winning New York-bred mare No Reason, who in 2006 won the NYSSS Park Avenue at Aqueduct, the NYSSS Cupecoy's Joy and Iroquois Handicap at Belmont Park and the New York Oaks at Finger Lakes.

Tizno competed at all three New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) tracks in a brief four-race career for trainer Randi Persaud. Unfortunately, his impressive breeding didn't translate to racing success, with his best result a fifth, via disqualification, in his final start on Sept. 22, 2017 at Belmont Park.

When it came time to transition Tizno off the track, the sizable bay was assessed by Rick Schosberg, a veteran NYRA trainer who oversees the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's TAKE THE LEAD (TTL) program.

The TTL program provides preliminary vet exams and treatment, as well as costs related to transportation and rehabilitation or retraining. With the help of Schosberg, TTL was able to place Tizno at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue in October 2017.

“We try and get horses from a situation where they're not competitive and not happy into a place like Akindale where they can find a life that's more amenable to their needs,” said Schosberg. “For him to find a forever home with a new rider and a new vocation for what really is the longer part of his life to enjoy is great. More than 75 percent of their lifespan is in a second career. So, when I hear a cool story like this it gives me a good feeling about the program.”

Tizno flourished on arrival at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited [TAA] program whose motto is “reinventing racehorses.” The NYRA and its horsemen are committed supporters of the TAA, which accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations using industry-wide funding.

Every owner competing at NYRA racetracks donates $10 per start to the TAA, which funds the aftercare organizations that provide homes for retired racehorses. New York's horsemen also donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of every horse claimed at a NYRA track to TTL and the TAA.

Monique Coston, who works as a trainer at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue overseeing the rehabilitation of the 120 retirees in the facility's care, said downtime is the first step to a new life for retired thoroughbreds.

“All horses who enter our program are given 60 days of rest and have some let-down time before they enter our retraining program,” said Coston. “This gives them enough time to get acclimated to life outside the track and time for me to get to know them a bit better.”

Coston said Tizno quickly demonstrated a desire to pick up a new trade.

“Mentally, he really thrived when I put him back into work. I think he was bored before,” Coston said. “Once he was into work and had a solid routine, he became much more focused on what you wanted from him and definitely matured.

“Physically, he was always a big boy who was filled out,” continued Coston. “He looked like a million bucks, but when he went back into work you could tell he didn't really know how to use his legs. He had to figure out what to do with all of the power and that took some time.”

Once adjusted to his new routine, Coston said Tizno made it clear that he was destined to be a show jumper.

“From the very first cross rail I took him over, he made it very well known that he was meant to jump,” said Coston. “He was super willing to the jumps from an early stage and was very careful from day one. He probably was a bit too careful to be an eventer, and a bit too exuberant to be a great hunter. Show jumping was 100 percent his calling.”

“It took a good nine months for us to really click over fences and figure each other out,” Bernadette Graham said of Tizno

With his training going well, all that was left for Coston was to help Tizno find a forever home that suited his talents and would allow him to grow and thrive. And then along came Graham, a lifelong equestrian with a wealth of experience and a goal of riding competitively in the amateur jumping ranks.

Coston said Tizno and Graham were a perfect match and the adoption came to fruition in November 2019.

“I always tell people to choose the horse that is best for you today, not tomorrow,” said Coston. “You don't need a reason to fall in love with a particular horse, but you need to love that horse from Day One. When Bernadette fell in love with Tizno, she was already looking at another horse of mine and when she saw Tizno, for whatever reason, that was the horse that made everything click.

“Sometimes you just have to go with your instincts,” continued Coston. “Along with Bernadette being a great rider already, I knew that she would listen to my advice and take her time producing him and the results are the proof. He isn't the easiest horse to ride and she's done a great job with him.”

Relationships are hard work. It took Graham and Tizno time to develop the trust and understanding required to be successful.

“Tizno is a very talented jumper but when I first got him he could kind of scare himself with it,” recalled Graham, who lives in Norfolk with her husband, Jim, and their two dogs. “He'd jump straight up and down, which was impressive because we knew he could jump the big jump, but he'd always try and overjump the fences.”

Graham has been riding horses since she was 5-years-old and has tried everything from eventing to hunter-jumpers and even spent time at Yellowstone Park taking people on wagon and trail rides. Graham had most recently worked with a hunter-type horse and she said learning how to communicate with Tizno became a big part of their development.

“It took a good nine months for us to really click over fences and figure each other out,” said Graham. “He worked hard for me and we kept things really small for a long time, working on his flat work and getting his confidence up. He's the type of horse you could rush because he has a big jump but then he might have backed off and not be so bold as he is now. He had to figure it out in his own time and figure out his legs.”

Graham said she has helped develop Tizno's style in the ring from that of a robust athlete to a more artistic approach.

“At first, going to the jump he'd tense up – not super quick – but tense and then jump straight up and down instead of in a big arc over it like he does now,” said Graham. “He'd jump so high he'd land and kinda scoot away from the fence, but he's improving. Sometimes now we'll celebrate with a little bucking after when he feels like he did a good job.”

Graham, who stands 5'2”, said she adjusted her riding style due to Tizno's tall build.

“I'm really short,” said Graham. “I was not looking for a horse that big but I'm a pretty brave rider and compatibly wise he needed someone who could keep up with that big jump of his and I'm pretty sticky.

“In fact, the saddle fitter is coming out today, so I can get more of a forward flap in the saddle which will help me when we're jumping bigger fences,” she added. “My legs don't come down very far. When you look at the pictures, I've got a good couple inches where the bottom of his belly is.”

Perhaps it's a case of opposites attract, but Graham said the little and large combo is working for them.

“I ride pretty short because he jumps so hard and I have to really put some weight in my stirrups,” said Graham. “He's short backed so he's not a long horse from front to end and that makes it easier for someone my height.”

And just like in human relationships, communication is key.

“I figured out the ride he needed and he figured out what I was asking and now we have a good rapport,” said Graham. “I find he takes me to fences a little more now. He's a little happier about it. He's just more keen on the job and he'll flick his ears as we go around and I don't have to pull or kick as hard or use my leg as much. It just comes together as we go around the course.”

Graham and Tizno, currently jumping at a 0.8 meter level, have their eye on reaching new heights in 2021.

“My ultimate goal would be to compete in the 1.10 m jumpers and go to The Marshall and Sterling finals,” said Graham, referring to an annual showcase held in Saugerties, N.Y. “I would also like to compete Tizno in the Take2 thoroughbred jumper classes.”

The TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, which is sponsored by NYTHA and co-founder New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc., as well as supporters from the racing and breeding industries, funds prize money in hunter and jumper divisions restricted to thoroughbreds that are eligible to be registered with The Jockey Club. The program includes $10,000 in year-end high-score awards and the $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter & Jumper Finals.

A show jumping course is vastly different to what Tizno experienced as a racehorse.

“Typically there's eight to 12 fences in a course,” explained Graham. “Each class is a little different. Some are set up to see who can get around clear the fastest, while some are one round and then a jump off. Typically, in those competitions there's more fences and a regular timed round.”

While speed still matters in the show jumping world, Graham explains that being able to clear the jumps efficiently is key – and that's a talent Tizno has demonstrated in spades.

“There are penalties if we knock a jump down or if he refuses at one,” said Graham “We don't get judged on how we look. It's just get around and leave the jumps up.”

Completing a course takes about one minute and Graham said it's quite the ride.

“As I go through the corners, I use my legs to steer him quite a bit and help push him into and then out of the corners,” said Graham. “As we come to a jump I have to consider the distance to the fence – if it's short I put in more contact with the reins and leave leg contact on so he collects his stride more and he gets there at a better distance. At a longer distance, I'd leg him up to it and not quite as much hand.”

It sounds like a lot of work – and it is – but Graham said she loves the experience and the shared communication with Tizno.

“I'll tell him he's a good boy if we jump well or if I make a mistake and he carries me through it,” said Graham. “It's mostly leg commands, setting your body up correctly and using your core. We'll do four rounds at each show and by the end of it I know he's not as tired I am.”

And even though he didn't have his picture taken at the track, Graham is happy to report Tizno is already a winner in the show jumping world.

“He got his first tri-color ribbons this summer and he won a couple of divisions,” said Graham. “It's not always about the ribbon but it's nice when we get them. What I really like is a course that feels good and when every jump you land feels great.”

Graham said Tizno has proven to her that retired racehorses will readily adapt to a new life off the track.

“I think thoroughbreds can do any job after the track. They just have to find their niche,” said Graham. “They're very good jumpers and they have a lot of heart and they're sure a lot of fun to jump around.”

When not in training, Tizno gets to enjoy being a horse and hanging out in the paddock with Ben, an appendix quarter horse, and his stall neighbor Dixie, a warmblood who has warmed up to the former racehorse.

“He loves to roll and he loves his turnout time,” said Graham, who spoils Tizno with carrots and German Horse Muffins. “He's lucky to have a giant stall which is 12 X 14. He's got it pretty made.”

And as much as he enjoys having his own space, Tizno is even learning to enjoy the love and attention he receives from Graham.

“In the stall he's a bit of a grouch. I don't think that will leave him. That's his space and it's who he is,” Graham said. “But when I get him out of the stall he's sweet and cuddly, even if he makes faces when I sing to him and hug him.”

The post Love At First Ride: Retired OTTB Tizno Makes The Leap Into A New Life appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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