The Secretariat Center

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous Post A Perfect Match: Vera Tun & Kid Perfect A Perfect Match: Vera Tun & Kid Perfect By: Alexis Arbaugh April 3, 2025 Success Stories Tags:accredited aftercare, Accredited Organization, Kid Perfect, T.I.P. Championships, The Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance When Vera Tun set out to find her next horse, she was focused on finding a partner for Dressage—one with a good brain, safe in and out of the tack, who moved well, and one she could depend on. Having previously owned two off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), Vera knew exactly what she was looking for. “They taught me lessons in groundwork, patience, and the importance of not trying to fit a square peg into a round hole,” Vera explained. Vera’s search led her to The Secretariat Center in Lexington, Kentucky, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organization. It specializes in retraining and rehoming OTTBs. The moment Vera met Kid Perfect, she knew he was the one. Despite not having perfect conformation, Kid’s big, floaty movements impressed her, and she was immediately drawn to his potential. Through the adoption process, Vera was impressed by The Secretariat Center’s dedication. “One huge benefit of adopting from a facility like The Secretariat Center is that they can tell you a great deal about the horse’s history and what they’ve already accomplished,” she said. Through The Secretariat Center, Vera also learned about Kid’s early life at Sovereign Farm, where he was bred by Kelli Cross, one of the farm’s managing partners. “Kid hit the jackpot with Vera!  Sometimes I feel like I should ask Vera if she would adopt me,” stated Kelli Cross. “He is truly treated like a prince (and Vera assures me regularly he is behaving like a prince and deserves it all.)  He was very aptly named!” Kelli Cross, a managing partner of Sovereign Farm located in Paris, Kentucky, was one of the first people to meet Kid Perfect, born on March 28, 2014, was the first foal of Sovereign Farm’s cornerstone mare, Sheza Sweet Lemon. Kid had a successful racing career, with 35 starts, 5 wins, 4 seconds, and 4 thirds, earning $222,905 from 2015 to 2020. When it came time for Kid to retire, Kelli and her team at Sovereign Farm knew they wanted to send him to an accredited aftercare facility. “They never rush the horses,” Kelli said. “The Secretariat Center takes the time to help each one develop new skills in order to help them to be successful in their new career, [and] dealing with the Secretariat Center has been wonderful,” wrote Kelli. After Kid arrived at Vera’s farm in Illinois, they began a careful rest period before starting retraining. Kid adapted quickly, and Vera was impressed by his calm demeanor. “I only found out later that he had never been in an indoor arena before,” Vera remarked. His relaxed attitude toward work made it clear he was a perfect fit for Dressage. “It is important to be in an environment where fellow riders have experience with OTTB’s and can make suggestions or lend a sympathetic ear when things don’t go as planned,” suggested Vera. She would often reach out to the head trainer at The Secretariat Center with any questions or concerns regarding Kid or his retraining. Groundwork became a key part of their training, helping to build their relationship and understanding of each other. Vera noticed Kid’s clear body language—he wasn’t fond of lunging, but she adapted her approach to keep him engaged. “He tolerates lunging but prefers other activities,” Vera laughed. They also incorporated trail rides and cavaletti work into their routine to keep training varied and interesting. Vera took her time with Kid, riding five days a week and focusing on building a strong foundation. She was fortunate to board at a barn with a manager experienced with OTTBs, and with help from local trainers, Kid’s retraining progressed smoothly. His diet was carefully managed, with Nutrena All Life Stages Feed and alfalfa cubes to maintain weight, along with supplements for hoof and immune health. In May 2023, Kid suffered a hoof injury, delaying their training for several weeks. However, with the help of Vera’s farrier, his hoof healed, and by June, they were back to light trail riding. By July, they were participating in a local schooling show and attended a cavaletti clinic in August, both of which helped Kid overcome his fear of trailering. “He took these experiences in stride and seemed to enjoy them,” Vera said. In October 2023, Vera and Kid qualified for the T.I.P. Championships and competed in the Intro B Dressage test division, finishing 8th out of 19. “Considering it was only our third show together, you could probably understand how completely over the moon I was with that outcome,” Vera remarked. “Thoroughbreds are an amazing breed and I am a true fan,” Vere told us. “I honestly would never want to own another breed other than a Thoroughbred. They are so versatile, adaptable, athletic, and you can enjoy training them for whatever your discipline may be. Each horse is an individual which I believe really dictates how each particular rider’s situation plays out.  Patience and really listening to the horse is the best advice I can give to anyone thinking about owning an OTTB.” Vera added with a smile, “If you’re familiar with the meme that says, ‘I used to be a winning racehorse and now I’m owned by my mom who kisses me on the nose and gives me treats all day and tells me how handsome I am –,’ that’s me—and I’m proud of it.” 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 Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous Post Getting to Know Outbound Getting to Know Outbound By: Alexis Arbaugh March 13, 2025 Success Stories Tags:accredited aftercare, Accredited Organization, Eventing, Retired Racehorse Project, RRP, The Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Gabrielle Pearce developed a passion for horses at a young age, starting with ponies. As her confidence in the saddle grew, she transitioned to off-the-track Thoroughbreds. One of her earliest experiences with an ex-racehorse was riding Mr. Martini, an older Thoroughbred known for his calm and level-headed demeanor. He became the perfect bridge between ponies and larger horses, helping Gabrielle build the confidence and skills necessary to become a successful rider. After the unfortunate passing of Mr. Martini, Gabrielle found Vinnie, a 6-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred who had received approximately 60 days of professional retraining. Since Vinnie had already been restarted, he seemed like the ideal next step in Gabrielle’s journey toward retraining an ex-racehorse on her own. “Vinnie was an exceptional athlete who genuinely enjoyed having a job,” Gabrielle recalled. He loved learning new things, and each lesson seemed to carry over to the next ride, as if he remembered everything they did. Their partnership developed quickly, deepening as they learned and grew together. A few years ago, Gabrielle tragically lost Vinnie in an accident, leaving her heartbroken and uncertain about whether she would ever find another horse as special as he had been. When she finally resumed her search, she felt most comfortable adopting a horse from an accredited aftercare organization. Gabrielle had a great experience with the Secretariat Center, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organization in Lexington, Kentucky. The organization listened to her needs, never pressured her, and provided honest assessments of each horse. Gabrielle’s list of “must-haves” included a horse at least 16 hands tall, free of prior injuries that could impact training, without cribbing habits, and possessing a calm personality. After trying a few horses, she left undecided. However, when she returned a couple of months later for additional trial rides, she had a gut feeling that Outbound, nicknamed “Porter,” was the perfect match for her. In October 2022, Gabrielle adopted Porter, who at the time had only five retraining rides. “He is the youngest and greenest horse I have owned,” she said. The 16-hand bay gelding is Kentucky-bred by Candy Ride (ARG) out of Zofzig (Danzig). He raced only twice at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Indiana, earning $1,215. As soon as Gabrielle brought Porter home to her family farm, she turned him out alone in a pasture, expecting him to run or buck after the long trailer ride. Instead, he calmly wandered around the field, grazing and quietly taking in his new surroundings. When it came time to meet the other four geldings on the farm, Porter showed no interest in causing trouble. He quickly integrated into the herd, and they all got along seamlessly. Gabrielle’s decision to take on all of Porter’s retraining herself became a valuable learning experience. Her previous show experience, along with lessons and clinics, gave her the foundation she needed to restart a horse. However, she also understood that learning never stops. When she found herself stuck or looking for fresh ideas, YouTube videos and Instagram accounts became valuable resources. Gabrielle feeds Porter Tribute Senior Sport, supplemented with a small amount of Tribute Essential K and Lubrisyn HA. In the winter, she incorporates timothy or alfalfa cubes into his meals to help maintain a healthy weight. Throughout the day, Porter enjoys a mixture of grass hay to complement his diet. Gabrielles goal for Porter was to enter him into the 2023 Retired Racehorse Project. Gabrielle had to carefully plan his training schedule, making sure not to exceed the maximum number of allowed rides as outlined by the competition’s rules. Gabrielle’s first focus was one groundwork, aiming to build mutual respect. She understood that while developing a bond with a horse is important, it should never lead to the horse disrespecting or taking advantage. Establishing this respect created a solid foundation for their under-saddle training. Gabrielle also wanted to teach Porter the fundamentals of being a well-mannered horse. One of their key challenges was getting Porter to stand still at the mounting block. Together, they worked on building up his patience, training him to wait calmly for Gabrielle’s cue before walking on after she mounted. Another hurdle was helping Porter become comfortable with the farrier. As with mounting, he struggled to stand still, but over time, he learned that the farrier was there to help, not harm him. Gabrielle also emphasized spatial awareness to reinforce the importance of respecting each other’s personal space. SEE RELATED RE-TRAINING TIP FEATURE: “Getting Started with Groundwork & Manners for Your Ex-Racehorse” Click HERE for Retraining Tip Feature An essential part of their groundwork involved the use of pressure and release. For example, when Gabrielle applied gentle pressure on the reins, Porter would respond by turning his head, and she would immediately release the pressure as a reward. They also practiced moving his body laterally, using pressure to guide him in the desired direction and releasing it once he responded correctly. This method significantly improved their communication, helping Porter become more responsive and attentive to Gabrielle’s cues. Clipping had been a work in progress, particularly around Porter’s ears, which are often sensitive areas for horses. Many horses dislike having their ears touched, but Gabrielle took a patient, gradual approach to help Porter become comfortable with clippers on all parts of his body. Her steady method ensured he remained relaxed throughout the process. Trailering can be challenging for many horses, even those with previous travel experience like racehorses. Each trailer is slightly different, and that unfamiliarity can cause anxiety. Encouraging a horse to calmly enter and exit what might seem like a dark, intimidating box requires patience. Gabrielle committed to a slow and steady approach, prioritizing Porter’s comfort and confidence throughout the process. Like many young

All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous Post Love at first Sight with River Shannon Love at First Sight With River Shannon By: Ellen Barth February 28, 2025 Success Stories Tags:Eventing, Success story, The Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance River and I have been together since December 2023 and we’ve had quite the journey so far! River is my first OTTB, and I adopted him from the Secretariat Center in Lexington, KY. I had explained to Shelley Mann, Director of the Secretariat Center at the time I adopted him, that I had recently retired my heart horse from competition, so my new project horse would have pretty big shoes to fill. Red, my retired Danish Warmblood, although the love of my life, has been a high maintenance wild man for the 14 years that I’ve had him (even at the ripe age of 26), so I knew I could handle Thoroughbred eccentricities. I sought out a Thoroughbred as my next horse because I wanted a horse that would challenge me to be the best horsewoman that I could possibly be. I wanted a horse that was smart, agile, fast and who would fight for me out on the cross-country course. Shelley knew just the horse for me, and as soon as I met River, I fell in love. He is a cuddle bug, a goofball, and he will test you every chance he gets. And he will certainly give you his opinions if you do something even just slightly off! On the day that I met him, I groomed him and went to pick his feet only for him to bite me in the butt and refuse to pick up his hoof. When he finally did, he threw his foot forwards and backwards, trying to intimidate me to let go. As the staff watched and probably thought I had no idea what I was doing, I could see River giving me the side eye and almost smirking to himself. The class clown that he is demands that respect be earned, and he will keep you humble every step of the way. That one moment foreshadowed our journey for the next year! Just as River doesn’t give up easily, neither do I, and I was determined to unlock all the potential that I saw and felt from that first meeting and that first ride. Some people have a very specific pedigree and type of horse they look for when horse shopping, but I kept myself open minded. When I sat on River, he took me by surprise on how elegant he felt under saddle. Completely opposite from the other horse I had tried at the Secretariat Center. His gaits were effortless and flowed with beautiful cadence. I was blown away by the maturity he showed as a 4-year-old, but he also showed his cheeky side when he tried to roll in the puddles in the ring with me on him. He had all of us belly laughing! He had not been started over jumps yet, but I was willing to take a chance on him since he checked off so many boxes. The staff told me how curious and brave he was, so I had a hunch he might like to jump. He had no obvious conformation flaws, just some old racetrack injuries (bowed tendons and a popped splint). I had him vetted to make sure those injuries could withstand the demands of an event horse. With the vet’s seal of approval, I adopted River that next day. I was so excited to welcome him home to Massachusetts, but I knew there would be a steep learning curve to try to figure out what works for him. We’re still getting to know each other, but I’ve learned that he always loves his ears being rubbed. He’s like a shark that goes into tonic immobility when you rub his ears! This has helped me on so many occasions when he’s stressed – it really relaxes him. Sometimes he likes his neck, shoulders, withers and belly being scratched. He’s very particular, and expressive with his opinions, so he’ll certainly let you know if he wants them or not! The quirky horse that he is requires many accommodations to keep him happy and healthy. I have learned through trial and error, and expert advice, what works and what doesn’t work for him. First and foremost, I’ve learned River needs to be out all day, if not 24/7. I found out the hard way that keeping him in a stall too long made him very upset and caused him to get nasty ulcers. To mitigate that, in addition to staying outside for at least a whole day, he is on Purina Outlast and alfalfa pellets, free choice hay, and his grain is divided into 3 smaller meals instead of 2 larger meals (per vet recommendation). As an excitable horse, it was challenging finding a nutrition plan that would put on weight without lighting him up further. After consulting with my vet and nutritionist, we found that keeping his grain (Purina Impact Professional Performance) lower while adding in a fat supplement (Purina Amplify) worked well. SEE RELATED RE-TRAINING TIP FEATURE: “Ulcer Care and Stress Management Tips for Off-Track Thoroughbreds from Second Wind” Click HERE for Retraining Tip Feature Next on the Thoroughbred checklist was finding good insurance for River. I unfortunately had to use it a lot this year, because being the inquisitive critter that he is, got himself into trouble, with one incident sending him to the hospital. Fortunately, it only took us 2 months to recover from the laceration (paddock accident). It happened so close to the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) makeover, and we didn’t think we would be ready in time. I’m lucky that he’s so intelligent and we picked right back up on our dressage. With a proper feeding regimen, proper shoeing, ample turnout, well-fitting tack, good insurance,