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.

After the unfortunate passing of Mr. Martini, Gabrielle found Vinnie, a 6-year-old OTTB 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.

Gabrielle found a match in "Porter" (Courtesy of Gabrielle Pearce)

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, Ky. 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 out of Zofzig, by Danzig. He raced only twice at Horseshoe Indianapolis, 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.

Jump school with Porter. (Courtesy of Gabrielle Pearce)

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.

Gabrielle’s goal for Porter was to enter him in the 2023 Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. She had to carefully plan his training schedule to ensure they did not exceed the competition’s maximum allowed number of rides.

She began by focusing on groundwork to build mutual respect. While developing a bond with a horse is important, Gabrielle understood that it should never lead to the horse becoming disrespectful or taking advantage. Establishing respect created a solid foundation for their under-saddle training.

Gabrielle also emphasized teaching Porter the fundamentals of being a well-mannered horse. One of their key challenges was getting him to stand still at the mounting block. Together, they worked on building his patience, training him to wait calmly for her cue before moving forward after she mounted.

Another hurdle was helping Porter become comfortable with the farrier. Like many young horses, he initially struggled to stand still, but over time, he learned that the farrier was there to help, not harm, him. Gabrielle also worked on spatial awareness to reinforce the importance of respecting personal space.

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.

A happy pair at 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover. (Courtesy of Gabrielle Pearce)

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 horses, Porter exhibited some nipping behavior, which Gabrielle addressed early on to prevent it from becoming a habit. While nibbling or licking objects or pasture mates can be normal, nibbling on a person or their belongings is unacceptable. Gabrielle made sure to be firm when correcting him to ensure safety for everyone involved.

Gabrielle had a clear vision for Porter’s future as an eventer and was thrilled with his progress. They began under-saddle training by focusing on dressage movements. Once Porter had a solid grasp of these, they advanced to practicing full dressage tests. As their confidence grew, they introduced ground poles and small jumps. After Porter became comfortable jumping in the arena, they expanded training to include small logs and riding in open fields. His easy-going nature allowed him to thrive in a variety of environments.

Porter’s performance in the Dressage and Show Jumping competitions at the 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover was impressive, showcasing his potential as a show horse. Gabrielle understood the importance of competing frequently to gain valuable experience. She recognized that challenges would arise at events but was prepared to face them head-on. She firmly believed that her investment in Porter’s development and competition experience would pay off, ultimately contributing to his success as a show horse.

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.