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Thoroughbred, makeover, Jordan Sigmon, Maverick, Valobra, Retired Racehorse Project, OTTB, retired racehorse, training, horse show, trailer, aftercare

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Progress in the Right Direction with Valobra

To me, the most important thing you have to learn how to do when it comes to bringing young horses of any breed along is to trust the process. It oftentimes feels like for every step you take forward, you take two or three back. That has definitely been the theme of the last couple months or so for Valobra, aka “Maverick” and me both.

I had major surgery in early February that kept me out of the tack for about six weeks. During that time, I sent Maverick to get some training hoping it would be a good leg up to have us show ready by early May.

OTTB, aftercare, retired racehorse, New Vocations, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Allison Andrews, Diamond Bachelor, Maverick, eventing, cross country, training, dressage, Breeders’ Cup

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Success Story: The Horse That Stole Her Heart

Allison Andrews wasn’t actively searching for a second horse, but she often found herself browsing the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program website, just in case something special caught her eye. During one of those casual scrolls, she came across Diamond Bachelor.

A seasoned war horse with a unique facial marking, he stood out from the rest. Diamond Bachelor, aka “Maverick,” raced a total of 62 times in his career and earned over $445,000. He even ran in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Concord Joe, gelding, OTTB, retired racehorse, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, aftercare, Allison Moorhead, mother, husband, equine therapy, Yarnaby Road, adoption, Horse and Hound, volunteer

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Success Story: Concord Joe Finds Home Again

Allison Moorhead and her mother, Robin, first met Concord Joe at Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation in May 2018. The 2013 Kentucky-bred gelding had raced 13 times between 2016 and 2018, earning $33,254. Robin immediately fell in love with Joe, a sweet and gentle giant, but at the time, another tall, dark bay named Yarnaby Road also caught her eye. In the end, Roadie went home with them.

Salesman, Thoroughbred Makeover, Retired Racehorse Project, Kristina Hobbs, OTTB, ex-racehorse, eventing, competition, aftercare, Santa Anita Park, pedigree, Dubawi, Wertheimer, Richard Mandella, trainer, Fabre, Texas, Reciprocity Thoroughbreds

Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Salesman Moves from Mandella Family to Texas for New Career

As I pulled out of the Kentucky Horse Park last October after another successful Thoroughbred Makeover – ending in third place with Prince Loki in eventing – I looked over at my husband and swore I was going to take 2025 off. But as we all know, with horses that is rarely ever the case. I had no idea the phone call I would receive in a month would completely change my mind.

OTTB Turnagain Tide CANTER Michigan retired racehorse Willowbrooke Farm schooling equestrian hunter jumper Jen Murdoch adoption recovery rehab Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Success Story: Future Is Bright for Turnagain Tide

“The moment I first saw him, I fell in love,” says Jen Murdoch, barn manager of Willowbrooke Farm, a CANTER Michigan facility.

CANTER Michigan (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) has been transitioning racehorses into second careers since 1998. Turnagain Tide, affectionately known as “Turner,” was one of the lucky horses taken in by the program.

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