Archive

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post Turn Towards Home Turn Towards Home By: Alexis Arbaugh September 27, 2024 Success Stories Tags:accredited aftercare, CANTER, CANTER Michigan, hunter jumper, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Turner was brought to CANTER Michigan in December 2021, and about four months later, Jen adopted him as a potential project horse for a friend. “I was struck by how gorgeous and sweet he was,” she recalls. It was love at first sight. Fortunately for Jen, as Willowbrooke’s barn manager, Turner could stay on the farm after his adoption. Before adopting Turner, Jen knew he had been diagnosed with kissing spine—a condition where the vertebrae are too close or overlap, causing discomfort or pain. Despite the diagnosis, she took a chance, aware that it would require regular maintenance. At the time of his adoption, Turner stood at a lanky 16.2 hands. Thanks to good care and training, he is now a muscular 17.1 hands and shows no signs of pain. “He truly enjoys working, especially jumping,” Jen says. Although Jen doesn’t ride Turner herself, she plays an active role in his training. Initially, it was challenging. Turner received only minimal retraining at CANTER, so Jen and her friend had significant work ahead. “He was afraid of everything—from noises outside the ring to traffic in the ring, to even the sound of a horse simply picking up the canter,” Jen explains. Turner’s fear-driven response was to bolt, a daunting reaction for such a large horse. “The moment I first saw him, I fell in love,” says Jen Murdoch, barn manager of Willowbrooke Farm, a CANTER Michigan facility. CANTER Michigan (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) has been transitioning racehorses into second careers since 1998. Turnagain Tide, affectionately known as “Turner,” was one of the lucky horses taken in by the program. A 2017 Kentucky-bred dark bay Thoroughbred gelding, Turner was sold at the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale for $750,000. Both Taylor Made Sales and Keeneland Sales are active supporters of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. His impressive lineage includes sire Into Mischief, North America’s leading sire from 2019-2023. He raced five times, winning twice and earning $73,639 under trainer Brad Cox before retiring. The experience was enlightening for his team, who discovered that Turner benefits from a morning ride to calm his nerves before competing. His success has earned him a range of year-end awards from HJAM, including champion titles in Low Adult Hunter, Low Adult Equitation, and Low Adult Medal. He will also place fifth in the Baby Green Hunters and sixth in Low Adult Equitation on the Flat. Turner’s future looks bright. Jen hopes to see him progress to the 3′ divisions and eventually qualify for the Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Finals at the Kentucky National Horse Show. The key to Turner’s progress was patience. Jen and her riders worked carefully to avoid heightening his anxiety. “Through the patience and persistence of his riders, he is now much more confident, and the behavior is essentially gone,” she notes. His transformation has been remarkable. With newfound confidence, Turner excelled in his training, becoming a fantastic jumper. The shift extended beyond the ring—he’s now curious and enjoys exploring his surroundings, a stark contrast to his earlier spookiness. To ease him into the show world, Turner participated in several schooling shows at Willowbrooke Farm, quickly progressing to higher levels of competition. In August 2023, he made his debut at The World Equestrian Center, competing for two weeks in the 2’6″ divisions. Turner shined, taking champion in the Low Adult Equitation and reserve champion in the Low Adult Hunter during the first week. He repeated the success in week two, claiming champion in the Low Adult Hunter and reserve champion in Low Adult Equitation. Turner also won the Hunter Jumper Association of Michigan (HJAM) Low Adult Medal Final. Share This Article   Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission