Tag: thoroughbred aftercare

‘Special’ Uno Mas Modelo Preparing For Second Career With Racing For Home

Willingness to adapt to new surroundings and challenges is a hallmark of any successful athlete, equine or human. Uno Mas Modelo embodied that sentiment in a racing career that spanned 2015-19 and produced double-digit wins.

The Kentucky-bred son of Macho Uno, retired this year by Ron Paolucci Racing, produced consistent efforts at tracks across the country as he rose from claim to fame by winning a quartet of stakes races late in his 35-race career. The bay gelding posted a 10-5-1 record, mixing quality and quantity, compiling wins at five tracks in four states.

After registering a successful stint as a claiming horse who won at least one race for his first three trainers, Uno Mas Modelo came into the care of conditioner Anthony Quartarolo in 2018. The move resulted in a late-career resurgence, with all four of his stakes wins coming between 2018-19, when Uno Mas Modelo was 5 and 6 years old.

“He could win anywhere, he was a runner,” Quartarolo said. “We put blinkers on him and did some little things and he just turned it around. He got good and stayed good. He just kept winning. I love that horse. I love all my horses but he's special. He's a neat horse. To get good like that, he makes you look good as a trainer.”

His 5-year-old season also saw Uno Mas Modelo make an impression on New York fans, winning both of his 2018 starts at historic Saratoga Race Course before logging scores in the Bet on Sunshine at Churchill Downs and closing his campaign with a win in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit at Gulfstream Park. He racked up two more stakes wins in Florida in 2019, taking both the Perseus and Rough and Ready. Fittingly for a horse who improved with age, Uno Mas Modelo ended his career with his first Grade 1 appearance, running 10th in the Churchill Downs going seven furlongs in May 2019.

On the track, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred such as Uno Mas Modelo is a respected old-timer. But as a horse, he is in the prime of his life with his breed's average lifespan between 25-28 years. With all his strength, intelligence, willingness and experience, Uno Mas Modelo just needed a new outlet to begin his career's next phase.

Racing For Home, a non-profit charity for off-the-track Thoroughbreds, is providing support for Uno Mas Modelo's new career. Founded in 2010 by NYRA television analyst Acacia Courtney, Racing For Home's mission is to rehabilitate and re-train racehorses for a second career. Run by Courtney and her mother, Sherrie Courtney, the organization was accredited in 2019 by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), making them one of two such facilities in Connecticut and one of 74 throughout the entire United States.

Located in Ellington, Conn., Racing For Home provides Thoroughbreds with a structured and goal-orientated routine – similar to what was used during their racing careers – to transition to new vocations, which can include a new path as a show horse or preparation for adoption. The organization also provides a sanctuary for horses who were injured during their careers and physically cannot have a second career.

“They thrive on routine and having a job. They are bred to fill a purpose,” said Courtney, a key member of NYRA's America's Day at the Races broadcast team. “They can get bored, so giving them a new career, especially for horses just off the racetrack, is very important. Having a job, mentally, does so much good for them.”

Courtney said there are currently 11 off-track Thoroughbreds [OTTBs] in their care, with Uno Mas Modelo among the latest additions. The veteran horse last breezed in May at Churchill Downs and when his racing career concluded due to injury, Quartarolo's daughter, Ashley, reached out to the Courtneys about finding a new role for a talented horse who had banked nearly $400,000 in career earnings and won as many as five races in a single year.

“He didn't miss many dances, for sure, but he was a horse who came to our farm and is still in that transition period,” Courtney said. “He's the type of horse who you can tell has just received a lot of love and good care throughout his career. He's a total gentlemen and it's been a pleasure getting to work with him.”

A bowed tendon ended Uno Mas Modelo's racing days, but competition can still potentially be part of his future. As he heals, Racing For Home will try to transition him to a possible jumper once he's ready to be ridden and start that path.

“It might take a little bit of time to get there [being a jumper]. He didn't join us until this year,” Courtney said. “He had some foot issues and even walking was difficult for a while, but he's moving in the right direction. He's not able to be ridden just yet, but he has that attitude; the willingness to please, and he has such a good, calm mentality. When he is physically ready, the mental jump to a new career should be no problem at all. He just rolls with anything and is really agreeable.”

Uno Mas Modelo wasn't the first horse formerly trained by Quartarolo to end up with Racing For Home. The conditioner said the first Thoroughbred he got for his daughter, named First Love, didn't end up doing much on the racetrack and was handed over to an acquaintance in New Jersey. Years later, Quartarolo said they found out that First Love was in Racing For Home's care. When it was time to find Uno Mas Modelo a new home, the choice was obvious.

“He was a roan and he's all gray now,” Quartarolo said with a laugh. “We didn't even know she had him. So, after that, when we were looking at things for Uno, my daughter said, 'let me call Acacia because her family does a great job.' It's a great home for him, and they love him. He's a sweetheart.”

Courtney said that love and support from Quartarolo's barn was evident immediately after taking him in.

“His connections trained and treated him so well,” Courtney said.

“Unfortunately, some horses that have raced a lot of times can be very sour. Some of ours, it took them awhile to transition away from the racetrack. The mental side of things is the most important, so Uno is the great example of a horse who can re-train easily. But like people, horses have their own personalities and quirks and some transition more easily than others. You just have to follow their cues.”

Acacia Courtney said earning TAA accreditation was a proud moment as her non-profit is nearing its second decade of existence. NYRA and its horsemen are also committed supporters of the TAA, which accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding.

“For me, given that I work in the industry, aftercare is a huge part of my life and my family's life, so to know our organization meets those high standards, it's a source of pride for me and my mother,” she said. “When you have horses end up in great spots off the racetrack, it's a great feeling. It's not always a success story like Uno Mas Modelo.”

Courtney, who began riding at the age of 8 with training in the hunter-jumper and dressage disciplines, inherited a lot of her skills as horsewoman from her mother, bolstered by their time together when the organization was founded.

While Acacia now travels extensively for her television work, she remains as involved as possible with her schedule.

“She travels so much now and it's a fabulous career for her,” Sherrie Courtney said. “When she's in Florida, she obviously doesn't get to ride as much as she likes to, but early on when we first started, it was day-in and day-out and we did it together all the time. You need to be a soft, kind rider and that's what Acacia is. I think that's what I miss most about not having her with me is that she's not being able to ride as much. But I have myself and a wonderful trainer we work with, because no matter how experienced you are, eyes on the ground are so important.”

Sherrie Courtney said Uno Mas Modelo is thriving in his new surroundings.

“I've never had a horse quite like him where he's just settled in so immediately,” she said. “He's so kind. All the people who took care of him before did a wonderful job, because he's mannerly and kind and sweet.”

A frequent winner on the track, it appears that Uno Mas Modelo is well on his way to a successful second career as he bonds with his new caretakers.

“He likes human contact and loves when you are in his stall,” said Sherrie. “Right away, I blanketed him in his stall, and I don't usually do that because I don't really know the horse, but I just felt like he was so appreciative.”

And the Courtneys are appreciative for the support of the industry as they work to rehome retired equine athletes like Uno Mas Modelo.

“We care and we give the absolute best care for the horses. It's the point of giving them fabulous homes and giving them sanctuary,” said Sherrie. “That's what it is all about; making sure every horse is in a great situation and we're doing the best for them.”

The post ‘Special’ Uno Mas Modelo Preparing For Second Career With Racing For Home appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Tina Mott Appointed To Saratoga WarHorse Board Of Directors

Saratoga WarHorse, a not-for-profit organization which uses retired Thoroughbred racehorses to work with service members and veterans who are suffering after experiencing trauma while in the military, today announced the appointment of veteran and Thoroughbred advocate Tina Mott to its Board of Directors effective this month.

A longtime supporter and volunteer with Saratoga WarHorse, Mott will work with the organization to further its mission of promoting the physical, mental and emotional health of veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress by providing a healing, equine assisted experience exclusively using retired thoroughbreds.

Mott has more than 35 years of experience in the Thoroughbred industry and is the wife of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott of Mott Thoroughbred Stables.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tina to the Saratoga WarHorse Board of Directors,” said U.S. Army veteran and Saratoga WarHorse Foundation Chief Executive Officer Allison Cherkosly, Ph.D. “Her intense passion for helping veterans, deep background in the thoroughbred industry and passion for the Saratoga WarHorse program make Tina an ideal leader for our organization. We look forward to working with Tina in this new capacity.”

Mott is a familiar presence within the organization having served as a volunteer during program sessions for several years. As a volunteer, she provides meals for the veteran participants and records their experience connecting with equine counterparts at Saratoga WarHorse's location in East Greenbush, NY, which is also home to the renowned thoroughbred rescue program ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption.

“I have always had the utmost respect and gratitude for our veterans, so I was thrilled that the animals that have given my family such a wonderful life could also contribute to the health and well-being of our veterans,” said Mott. “I look forward to working with Allison, my fellow board members and the Saratoga WarHorse team on growing this enriching and important program.”

Since its inception in 2013, Saratoga WarHorse has helped over 1,300 military veterans and service members move past their trauma by partnering them with retired thoroughbred racehorses and providing a new treatment approach vastly different than equine therapy or any existing treatments.

Saratoga WarHorse offers a one-time, three-day experience which culminates with each veteran and their Thoroughbred counterpart participating in a procedure called the “Connection Process.” This process can last anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes, and has been empirically proven to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress and their negative impact. Videos of the Connection Process are available online at https://www.saratogawarhorse.org/gallery.

The organization also recently launched the Military Armed Forces and Racehorses Program, which is designed to assist military service members mobilized during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The immersive program, which is available at no cost to service members who were activated during the pandemic, is currently accepting enrollments from eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard troops. To inquire or refer a veteran or service member, or for more information about the program, visit SaratogaWarHorse.org.

Donations to Saratoga WarHorse can be made online at SaratogaWarHorse.org/donate. Saratoga WarHorse is 100 percent funded by private charitable contribution. All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible.

The post Tina Mott Appointed To Saratoga WarHorse Board Of Directors appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Thoroughbred Makeover Diaries Presented By Excel Equine: Riding An OTTB Isn’t So Different From Playing Poker

Buying a recently-retired racehorse to retrain to be a sport horse or pleasure horse is like anteing up to play Texas hold 'em poker. The initial cost to see your hand — the antes and blinds for poker or the cost of horses at the end of their racing careers — is relatively low. The possibilities and dreams when you're first holding those two cards or starting to retrain an OTTB are always high.

“As long as I have a chip and a chair, I'm still alive in this event,” said Jack “Treetop” Straus, who discovered one chip hidden under a napkin to remain in the main event at the 1982 World Series of Poker, eventually won poker's most prestigious tournament, and inspired a motto for all players' dreams.

Like that one chip, an OTTB offers the dreams that one of the most affordable investments in the equine world can lead to future ribbons, special moments, and a potential lifelong bond between horse and human. On the path to achieving those goals, the big financial and emotional investment comes later, like in poker, after seeing your hand's value once more cards are revealed on the flop, turn, and river.

What's the best way to play an OTTB poker hand? Cue the late, great Kenny Rogers in “The Gambler”

You got to know when to hold 'em,

Know when to fold 'em,

Know when to walk away,

Know when to run.

You never count your money

When you're sittin' at the table.

There'll be time enough for countin'

When the dealin's done.

I'm relatively new to riding OTTBs, but they're the only horses I've ridden since I began my journey from broadcasting to riding in 2015. The three horses I've owned have each taught me different lessons about how Rogers' wisdom applies to training retired racehorses—and to life in general. 

You got to know when to hold 'em

“Are you sure this is the right horse for me?” I asked over and over and over again.

In 2018, I bought my first horse, a 5-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred mare who I announced when she raced at Arapahoe Park in Colorado in 2015 and 2016 and when she competed in Show Jumping and Freestyle at the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky in 2017.

The fact that I gave Grand Moony the show name of Sorority Girl should tell you everything you need to know about what she was like to handle and ride. Or, if you're an equestrian, the fact that she's a chestnut mare already told you that.

My trainer, Ashley Horowitz, picked Grand Moony for me. She was the first to train “Moo” when she came into CANTER's retraining program right after retiring from racing. She competed with the talented and precocious filly at the Makeover. Ashley knows how to scout talent. If you need any proof of that, she married me two years later.

Ashley didn't recommend Moo as my first horse because she'd be easy. Although, I admittedly had what I later realized were unrealistic dreams of winning horse shows right away. That would be like expecting to make the final table at my first poker tournaments.

Ashley recommended Moo as my first horse because she'd make me better. Moo was tough. We had runouts at jumps when I didn't ride confidently. We had bucks when I became unbalanced.

That's why I kept asking Ashley, “Are you sure this is the right horse for me?”

Ashley always patiently said yes and that I just didn't see it yet.

Sorority Girl steals the show at Horowitz's wedding

 

Like inexperienced poker players, I didn't know how to assess the chances of winning with my cards. Ashley knew my first hand would get better as the metaphorical equine community cards were dealt.

Sorority Girl and I have competed together for three years. We're developing a partnership as we move up the levels in eventing, but more importantly, we're developing a special relationship. Sorority Girl even made herself the center of attention at our wedding in July. Winning our first ribbon at a recognized event was even more rewarding when it came at the same event where we suffered our first elimination one year earlier.

Know when to fold 'em

The most promising hold 'em hand can be beaten by a lesser starting hand depending on how the community cards fall and how each player chooses to play their hand.

I was really encouraged by the next equine poker hand I was dealt in OTTB Cubbie Girl North. The 2016 bay filly that I found in a CANTER listing after she retired from an unremarkable four-race career in her home state of Illinois has been the protagonist of this “Thoroughbred Makeover Diaries” series.

But Cubbie has also been an antagonist. The extreme highs and lows have come on top of each other, like when Cubbie busted my chin open and gave me seven stitches three days before we would go on to surpass Ashley's and my expectations by completing our first recognized event.

Cubbie has zero patience for gray areas when she's being ridden, but I'm still learning. I'm not a professional like Ashley and don't have the same tact and skill set for dealing with a horse that wants to become dangerous when things don't go her way. After a disagreement in dressage warm-up for our last event in October, my goal went from success to simply survival. We did survive dressage — with the second-worst score across all levels and all divisions at a show with 195 riders — and even managed to go double clear with no jumping or time faults in cross country and in stadium jumping. But our communication has broken down.

Despite my emotional connection to Cubbie, I'm open to the reality that we may not be a good match.

Ashley and a good friend, Rageena Price, are now riding Cubbie. She's becoming more agreeable, and maybe they can exorcise the darkness that has sent Cubbie into dangerous rages. Or maybe not.

Ultimately, it's important and valuable to realize that reaching our goals with our dream horse may not be in the cards. And, we have to be OK with the part of “The Gambler” that isn't so fun.

I haven't given up on Cubbie, but I'm lucky enough to be married to a trainer who I can literally hand the reins to. The mare still holds a special place in my life, and I hope our stories reconnect and our hand improves when the dealer turns over the next cards.

There'll be time enough for countin'/When the dealin's done.

I'm now at the end of my first year of retraining Cubbie, the first horse I've worked with where I've been the first person to ride her off the track. The roller coaster of our journey has provided valuable learning experiences, and I'm proud of the rider I've become.

That said, I wanted to take a break from working on project horses. Essentially, I wanted to count my money…but the dealin' wasn't done.

“You have to look at this horse,” Ashley said as she showed me a sales video for The Gray Man, a 2017 16.3 hh gray Thoroughbred.

I looked at the video. Impressive movement by a horse with an impressive story I was already familiar with. The Gray Man has the barn name of Uno because he has one eye. He lost the eye after he became tangled with some fencing when he was eight days old.

 

“Sometimes the best opportunities come when you don't expect them,” Ashley said.

Uno came to our farm on Dec. 13 for a test ride. I've never seen a cooler OTTB. Kim Wendel, an upper-level eventer, was selling Uno because she had just imported another horse from Ireland. She said Uno had been ridden six times since retiring in July following a two-race career in his home state of Indiana.

He hadn't been ridden or turned out in a week and a half before he came to our farm. The inactivity, combined with trailering to a new location, combined with being in an indoor arena for the first time in his life, made Uno justifiably nervous. Did I mention he has one eye?

Seeing how he processed his new surroundings looking in both direction with his right eye and seeking human connection for guidance made this a hand not only worth playing but one that I would kick myself if I didn't try to play.

Ashley rode Uno. I rode Uno. Rageena rode Uno. The three of us loved him. It was one ride, but we each experienced gorgeous movement and a brain that is full of curiosity, is eager to learn, and desires to please.

This is my last “Thoroughbred Makeover Diaries” in 2020, and I've truly enjoyed writing this series. Writing each article is like a therapy session where I get to process the lessons I've learned from the Thoroughbreds in my life. From my first article in January to this article in December, I couldn't have predicted what the journey would be. Of course, nothing between January and December 2020 was predictable.

Writing these articles has been personal, and I appreciate the support I've received from the many readers and subjects of these articles that have witnessed my journey. I know there are other paths in the equine world, but as I listened to Kenny Rogers sing about “the ace that [he] could keep,” I realize I've found mine.

I have a chip (well, a horse) and a chair (well, a saddle), and I'm excited for whatever cards are dealt in 2021. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Horowitz will continue his Thoroughbred Makeover Diaries series through the 2021 Makeover event, thanks to ongoing support from our sponsor, Excel Equine Feeds.

The post Thoroughbred Makeover Diaries Presented By Excel Equine: Riding An OTTB Isn’t So Different From Playing Poker appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Korea Racing Authority Responds To Equine Welfare Critiques, Restricting Imports Due To COVID Uncertainty

Following is a statement from the Korea Racing Authority regarding its racing program through COVID-19 and equine welfare issues.

The matter of equine welfare in Korea gained national attention on Dec. 16 when The Stronach Group endorsed People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' call to ban the sale of Thoroughbreds to South Korean racing interests, in the wake of a video revealing that former U.S. stallion Private Vow was sent to slaughter in the country.

—

KRA has temporarily restricted foreign-bred horses imported after Nov. 15, 2020 from being registered to race at Korean racetracks next year.

This measure is valid for the year of 2021, and was implemented with the following background;

1. KRA has tried to walk in line with the Korean government's quarantine policies by minimizing overseas traveling related to purchasing of foreign-bred horses.

2. Owners have suffered a reduction of purchasing power due to the reduced number of races and prize money that resulted from the COVID-19 outbreak and strict social distancing rules.
* The total number of races in Korea have been reduced by 56 percent
* Total prize money for owners has been reduced by 27 percent

3. Demand for race horses has dropped dramatically due to the uncertainty over racing next year. The expected return of buying and owning a horse has been significantly reduced under the KRA Emergency Racing System.
* KRA Emergency Racing System: Racing fixtures will be released only on a quarterly basis with a reduced number of races (number of races planned for first quarter of 2021 has been reduced by 38 percent and the total owner prize money by 60 percent year on year).

4. The Korean breeding industry is in a state of near-collapse, as the non-racing period continued longer than expected, and was in desperate need of protective measures.

With regard to aftercare for retired Thoroughbreds, the KRA has established and is operating the Retired Racehorse Management Program. It has benchmarked aftercare programs worldwide. It includes funding for professional institutions that re-train retired racehorses to help them transition into a second career. The fund to run the program comes partially from prize money and partially from a donation from the KRA.

Among other initiatives, KRA regularly hosts a “Best Retired Thoroughbred” competition to expedite the career transition of racehorses. Prizes are awarded to those who have successfully transitioned to equestrian horses, and these competition and prizes are intended to provide more opportunities for retired racehorses to be better utilized as equestrian horses.

To enable better management, KRA is developing a registry system to keep track of not only horses currently registered for racing or breeding, but to also include retired horses to be monitored.

KRA has released an Equine Welfare Guideline, which serves as the fundamental basis for management and usage of all horses in Korea and provides ongoing education on the guidelines for horse connections.

An Equine Welfare Committee has been established by the KRA which includes external members from animal welfare/behavior specialists and animal protection groups with a mission to create and monitor an advanced equine welfare policy.

KRA also takes part in the IFAR (International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses), and has hosted international seminars with overseas equine welfare specialists in an effort to improve the equine welfare level in Korea.

Equestrian competitions have had their qualification criteria amended so more retired racehorses can participate. KRA has also hosted a new equestrian competition open only to retired racehorses to expand the demand and market for them.

No horse is imported to Korea for slaughter purposes. While slaughter is legal in Korea and is carried out in regulated facilities, the Animal Protection Act covers the mistreatment of horses during that process. Those involved in the previously highlighted cases of mistreatment have been legally punished earlier this year.

As mentioned above, KRA has established base guidelines for retired horses, and they are regularly released to educate horse connections. Notwithstanding the above, the ownership of horses and the right to dispose them belong to owners and are not subject to external intervention. Horses owned by the KRA are strictly managed under welfare guidelines. Retired KRA stallions have their welfare assured for the rest of their natural lives and are commemorated after death for their contributions.

The post Korea Racing Authority Responds To Equine Welfare Critiques, Restricting Imports Due To COVID Uncertainty appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights