The time is ticking down to the Thoroughbred Makeover, and as a trainer you are under pressure to try and prepare your horse for the big event. Each of the horses I have taken to Kentucky has been at a different stage of training and experience. 

Screw It, Let’s Do It (Courtesy of Katie Tarasevich)

Widget Factory has had less experience with getting out; for about a month, he couldn’t due to some feet issues. Drafted needs more experience with larger crowds and to work on being supple. So, I decided to enter them both into a licensed, overnight show called “Dressage at Lexington” at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Va. My motto for the weekend was “Screw It, Let’s Do It” — and I even designed shirts for the occasion.

I was hesitant to take Widget as his first riding show experience the week before did not go as well as planned. Drafted had an abscess blow out, so I scratched him from that show and had to trailer Widget by himself, which caused him a lot of anxiety. That anxiety stayed with him throughout the show.

We ended up scratching from the classes but asked show management if we could walk him in the dressage area so he at least could have a positive experience. So, I debated not bringing him to Dressage at Lexington … but as the theme goes, I said, “Let’s do it!”

Both horses loaded in the trailer and we drove three hours to Lexington the day before our classes. We got them settled into their stalls and unloaded all the tack. This also allowed me to prepare packing lists for Kentucky and practice bringing two horses!

Widget enjoying the flowers (Courtesy of Katie Tarasevich)

Once everything was done for the evening, I decided to take the opportunity to hand walk the boys around the whole horse center so they could get used to the larger environment and all things horse show.

Drafted is my brave horse, so he helps Widget in new situations. This ensures Widget is not feeding off a horse that is nervous. We got a chance to go walk in the huge indoor arena complex, which was ideal practice as there will also be a huge indoor arena complex for the Thoroughbred Makeover show.

Drafted couldn’t care less about anything and Widget did very well and just wanted to eat the flowers! We walked around to the different rings where we would be showing the next day. This really helps the horses as they can see and know what to expect. If they are nervous about anything, I spend time there to get them used to the scary things —giant tent, blue trash cans, golf carts, etc.! So, by show day I don’t have to worry about them being nervous right before our class.

The next day, the horses got fresh baths (it’s hard to keep grey horses clean!) and their manes braided for their tests.

To help with riding two horses in the same introduction dressage classes, my friend rode Widget for this show. We rode to the ring and schooled in the warm up arena, and both horses were doing well. Widget had his test first, and right when Widget did his halt and the rider saluted, the horse and rider in the ring next to them spooked and the rider fell off into the fence. Widget wasn’t bothered, but his test was stopped so emergency services could help the rider.

Drafted at Dressage at Lexington (Courtesy of Katie Tarasevich)

Widget completed his first-ever riding test and he survived! It was not the best score due to him sticking his tongue out and not being relaxed, but he finished! My test with Drafted went well but we struggle with suppleness and accepting the bit, so that’s where we lost points. For Introduction A Test, Drafted received a third place and Widget a sixth place.

Our second class was later in the evening, so the horses were able to go back to their stalls, have a snack, and another bath! Introduction B Test was in a different arena than in the morning with a large grandstand — more ring familiarization practice!

Both horses seemed more relaxed than in the morning so we only did a 15-minute warmup until our class started. Widget was feeling more relaxed and I was excited to see how he would do in his second class. I watched him go and he rocked his Introduction B Test! It was the best ride I have seen him do and I knew he scored well on this test. My assumption was right and Widget got third place, beating the score of Drafted, who earned a fourth place!! 

I am glad I stuck with it and decided to take both horses to the overnight show. It allowed me to see both of them in a different environment, expose them to more horse show nuances, and ride in different arena settings. This just shows that more practice never hurts, so “Screw it, let’s do it!” The final countdown begins with the Thoroughbred Makeover show only two months away!

The Jockey Club supports many aftercare initiatives including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the only accrediting body in aftercare, and Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers. View all of the initiatives supported by The Jockey Club.