Thoroughbreds have been a cornerstone of my life since my first off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) came into my life when I was 12. Skip’s racing days were long before my time with him and he was already a seasoned show horse when he came into my life, but that was all it took to spark a love affair with racing and Thoroughbreds.

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-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). 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.