The old adage of “slow and steady wins the race” may just be true with the racing career of Casey’s Lear. The daughter of Musketier (GER) finished last in a field of nine under Churchill Down’s famed twin spires in her first and only start, a maiden claiming race for 2-year-old fillies. The striking grey then made her way to TAA-accredited Second Stride to find a more suitable job.
Looking for a new endurance mount, Dixie Kendall was immediately taken by what she saw about Casey’s Lear—first, her beautiful coat; and second, that she had some trail experience. The decision was an easy one for Kendall, who brought Casey’s Lear home and appropriately renamed her “Steele.”
“Steele is everything I ever wanted in a horse and truly encompasses the example of a ‘heart horse,'” she said.
While racing on the track wasn’t in the cards for Steele, the mare has taken to the longer races of sport of endurance riding. As Steele and Kendall rack up their miles—they have completed two 25-mile rides and recently finished a 50-mile ride—Kendall has her sights set high for their future.
Dixie Kendall and Steele on an endurance ride. Credit: Noelle Synder
“My primary goal is that Steele will someday earn the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) Equine Longevity Award and we will earn the Decade Team Award,” she said. “Those titles are awarded to the horse and rider that have completed at least one 50-mile endurance ride for 10 years or more. I also hope to complete 100-mile rides with Steele, including Big Horn and Tevis (Western States Trail Ride), as well as earning Best Condition awards at future endurance rides.”
Working toward those goals, Kendall knows the important role Steele plays as an ambassador of the Thoroughbred breed at her competitions.
“I purchased Steele for the purpose of promoting the Thoroughbred breed in the sport of endurance racing,” she said. “Steele has proven to be a once-in-a-lifetime horse and continues to amaze me with her abilities.”
Photo: Noelle Synder
