Eventing

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu Previous Post manhattan striker Manhattan Striker By: Alexis Arbaugh September 27, 2024 Success Stories Tags:accredited aftercare, CANTER, CANTER Michigan, Eventing, hunter jumper, Retired Racehorse Project, RRP TIP, TAKE2, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Incentive Program “This has been a life-changing experience for my daughter and has shaped her in more ways beyond just in the saddle,” shared Sara Anderson. Sara Anderson and her 11-year-old daughter, Anna Huard, were searching for a horse that could become a long-term equine partner and compete in the 2018 Retired Racehorse Project (RRP). They turned to CANTER Michigan because it offered potential adopters the chance to meet and ride horses before adoption. Upon their visit, they were introduced to Manhattan Striker by CANTER Michigan’s head trainer, Jennifer Blades. Manhattan Striker, an Australian-bred black Thoroughbred gelding, had raced 23 times and earned $39,750 in Hong Kong. After his racing career ended, he was part of a group of 12 horses donated to CANTER Michigan. When Sara and Anna first met Manhattan Striker, he wasn’t the warm and affectionate horse he is today. His paperwork from the track noted that he cribbed, stall-walked, and had a generally grumpy attitude. The barn staff at Willowbrooke Farm, the facility where he was housed, had to be cautious when handling him. Despite these quirks, Sara described him as having a “serious and quiet demeanor,” which soon proved to be a great match for Anna’s personality. Manhattan Striker quickly bonded with Anna, taking an immediate liking to her. Sara observed that he seemed solid and balanced under saddle, and Anna saw potential for a long-term partnership. Although he remained grumpy during grooming, once he came home, he stopped cribbing and stall-walking altogether. He soon became sweet and affectionate with Anna and the other children at the barn. His temperament mellowed so much that he even became a suitable turnout companion for weanlings. Anna had ambitious goals for herself and Manhattan Striker, affectionately known as “Manny.” She wanted a versatile partner she could train to compete in multiple disciplines and develop a close bond with. Manny exceeded her expectations. “The retraining process was interesting,” Sara recalled. Manny wasn’t overly hot and adapted quickly to everything he was asked to do. Their goal was to enter the 2018 RRP, and Sara allowed Anna to take the lead in his training. While Manny initially lacked a lead change, he mastered it after just one lesson. “He’s been great for my daughter because she’s been able to teach him things, and he responds and learns the way you hope they will,” Sara said. Manny always tries his best and doesn’t hold a grudge if Anna makes a mistake. Through their journey together, Anna learned the value of patience and building a solid foundation with her horse. At horse shows, Manny was a dream. “No AM lounge, no hard schooling. No trainer rides, no perfect prep or ear plugs.  He doesn’t even wear a martingale to mess with. Goes in a simple rubber D.  He doesn’t need to see the ring before going into a class.  Light warmup, a few jumps, and in he goes,” Sara wrote. Manny was also easy to load and handle at shows, and Anna could braid and prep him herself. Screenshot Although Manny isn’t the best mover, making it tough to place in hack classes, he shines as a jumper. He thrives in equitation and medal classes, excelling at technical tracks, halts, and counter-cantering. “He’s able to take the harder courses and do all the fun things,” Sara said. Anna and Manny successfully competed in the Hunter division at the 2018 RRP. They continued training and later competed in local 2’6″ Hunter classes. For a change of pace, they also enjoyed eventing. In 2022 and 2023, the pair competed in the Take2 Thoroughbred divisions and the 15-17 equitation division with notable success. Anna and Manny were named the 2023 Overall Top Junior Rider in the Take2 Hunter division and placed 9th in the Take2 Finals. “We’re also thankful for Thoroughbred-specific opportunities like the RRP, Take2, and TIP, which give kids like mine a supportive community,” Sara wrote. Manny has surpassed all the goals Anna set for him, and they have formed a strong bond along the way. Looking ahead to 2024, they plan to continue competing in the Take2 Hunter divisions and enter more equitation and medal classes during Anna’s final junior year. This past July, Anna and Manny were selected to participate in the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Emerging Athletes Program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, where Manny stood out as the only Thoroughbred.   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

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post overcoming the odds Overcoming the Odds By: Alexis Arbaugh April 12, 2024 Aftercare Editorials Tags:dressage, Eventing, Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds, Rodeo, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Trail Riding When Tara Webster made the decision to retire her older gelding, she began to ponder her next horse. Ready to explore adoption prospects, she turned to her friend at Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART), Amanda Wilson, who was eager to introduce Tara to the horse Seven Thirty. Soon after concluding the conversation with Amanda, Tara traveled to HART to meet the exciting new prospect. “Seven Thirty was a tall, bay gelding and just stunning,” wrote Tara. Tara was utterly mesmerized as she watched him work, and in that moment, she knew without a doubt that Seven had to be hers. She was quick to fill out the adoption application. Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds reviewed and approved the application, which allowed Tara to adopt her new equine companion. Besides observing Seven’s work at HART, Tara was drawn to his sweet personality. “He is always down for a snuggle, hug, kiss, or a treat.” Seven was gorgeous with big eyes and long legs. Tara could sense his gentle spirit and willingness to learn through his eyes. As she was searching for a Thoroughbred to train as a jumper, Seven seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Tara adopted Seven on December 3, 2021, when he was only three years old. Once she brought him home, she began daily training sessions. “I cannot say enough good things about him and his willingness to learn,” Tara shared. Seven seemed fearless, showing a natural aptitude for retraining, including jumping. About four months later, the pair was ready to compete in their first show in March of 2022. It proved to be a fantastic first show experience, as they placed in all of their dressage and show jumping classes. “I was just so impressed [with Seven],” Tara wrote.  Ever since that first horse show, they have been quite active at other events, including a HART show, many dressage tests, trail rides, a parade, a rodeo, and even moving cows. Seven is a very versatile horse, and “no matter what the scenario is he quite quickly gets comfortable as we work towards the goal,” explained Tara. Unfortunately, in March of 2023, Seven was diagnosed with kissing spine. Kissing spine is a condition in horses where the vertebrae in the spine migrate closer and closer together until they touch or overlap. This can cause mild, consistent back pain in the horse. Most treatments include making the horse comfortable with pain medications or easy work. Seven spent the rest of the spring and all summer relaxing with his friends in the field and receiving “regular spa” days with Tara. His back needed time to decompress before he could be approved for surgery. Seven had his surgery in September 2023, and in the following months after his surgery he spent time rehabilitating. Tara’s veterinarians are positive that Seven will make a full recovery back to riding. In the meantime, they work diligently on their hand walks and groundwork.  Once Tara and Seven start their training again, their biggest goal is to compete in a recognized event. “He is such a good partner to work with that I think this goal is easily achievable,” explained Tara. Another one of Tara’s dreams is to be able to compete in a roping class at a ranch show. “I have no doubt that we can do anything we put our minds to,” said Tara.  Tara and Seven have a bright future ahead of them thanks to Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds. “HART is an amazing organization and I’m so happy they were able to pair me with my boy!” 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

Shewasnicerthen made 14 starts at Parx before retiring to After the Races at age 3, having earned $43,011 with a record of 1-3-3.

Shortly after his 12th start, Kulik Lodge retired to TAA-accredited New Vocations with a record of 4-2-0 and earnings just under $181,000. Since the Kentucky-bred’s adoption, the pair has worked hard to build a solid foundation in eventing.

Onlythewinetalking made his way to TAA-accredited MidAtlantic Horse Rescue as an unraced 5-year-old.

Most recently, they earned sixth place in the MCTA Jenny Camp Horse Trial in the open beginner novice division.

Minnesota-bred Jost Van Dyke began his racing career as a 3-year-old. It wasn’t until the age of 7 that the multiple stakes-placed gelding made his exit from the track.