The Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Shows, hosted by the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, wrapped up the 2010 “triple crown” series on November 20 & 21. Representing tracks across the country, 135 former racing athletes converged upon the East Complex for a weekend packed with Hunter, Jumper and Pleasure classes. The beautifully decorated mezzanine with racing silks from Maryland and colorful banners donated by Suffolk Downs, welcomed exhibitors from as far away as Massachusetts, Kentucky and South Carolina.

“Full Fields” were the standard throughout the show, with both the Suffolk and Monmouth Hunter Over Fences having more than forty entries.  Flat classes proved to be just as competitive with thirty-nine entries in the Blue Horse Charities Pleasure Walk/Trot.  The highly coveted $1,000 After the Finish Line Hunter Stake, sponsored by ATFL Founder, Dawn Mellen, was won by Myles, formerly known as Recipe, a son of Waquoit who last raced at Penn National in 2002.  Besting a field of twenty qualifiers, Myles was ridden to the win by Gordon Reistrup of Virgina.  Myles was also the recipient of the Hunter Style Award, donated by Sarah Starr and her OTTB Wedonit and the What If Memorial Trophy for the series high score for the Pimlico Hunter, donated by Susan Hansen and Liz Hansen Hinds

Cat Woman, formerly known as Run Son, an unraced daughter of Megason, won the $1,000 Virginia Horse Center Jumper Stake.  Cat Woman and owner/rider Chrissy Pagani were also the Saratoga Jumper Champions.  The Jumper Style Award, donated by North Shore Design, Tom and Nancy Ginaven, was presented to Hollywoodland, owned by Sandron/Joe Fargis and ridden by Karin Barreau. The oldest horse of the show, Pilgrim, at age twenty-two, won the Churchill Downs Jumper Championship with his owner/rider Leslie Trimble of West Virginia.  The Fasig-Tipton Model, newly introduced in 2010, had twenty-two immaculately groomed entries with their handlers.  The blue ribbon and custom dress cooler donated by The Clothes Horse, was presented to Meant To Be and her owner Caitlin Zoetis.  Another special series award, the R. Huey Versatility Award, donated by Hannah Ong in honor of her fantastic gelding who was retired at the March Thoroughbred Celebration, was presented to Frankly My Dear, formerly known as Struggler’s Legend.  Frankly My Dear, owned by Katie Gardner, was chosen out of thirty nominees in recognition of his success in hunter, jumper, trail, hunter pace, and model pursuits all within his first two years off the racetrack.

A retirement ceremony was held for the gelding One More for the Road, formerly known as P Day.  Spectators looked on with admiration as he bid his working life farewell, while strains of Run for the Roses underscored the reading of his impressive biography which included 57 starts in 8 years, winning $683,000.   Owned by Chrissy Resch of Maryland, One More for the Road has competed at the Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Shows since their inception. Each of these horses has a remarkable story to share, but there is one in particular from this weekend that has made a lasting impression.  Igor, a 2001 Kentucky bred son of Stravinsky, who last raced 10-21-2009 at Penn National competed with his owner/rider Lexi Robinson of Winticomack Farm, LLC.  In a five year racing career, Igor had sixty-two starts, won $186,533 and was claimed 11 times.  The comment for his last start was “eased”.  Fortunately Igor has been given a second chance to shine, as have many other OTTBs that compete in these shows. 

The silent auction, another great tradition of these shows, raised $2,600.00 for After the Finish Line.  Tables filled with over seventy items stretched the length of the ringside bleachers. Some of the most notable items auctioned were a Zenyatta jersey, signed by jockey Mike Smith, bottles of red wine from Mike’s winery, and memorabilia from the movie Secretariat, graciously donated and autographed by jockey Tom Foley.  Mr. Foley, fresh from the cast of the recent film Secretariat, was on hand for a book signing of his memoir The Simple Game. He also was a willing participant in the inaugural Stick Horse Race, a once-around-the-show-ring dash that set impressive fractions and raised more money for After the Finish Line.  Video link to Stick Horse Race: www.youtube.com/watch?v=shS5Qi09uxQ

           The Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Shows endeavor to increase the secondary market for OTTBs by encouraging equestrians to open their stables to these incredible, versatile horses, giving them another chance for greatness.  This mission continues to be the driving force for these competitions, and was showcased in an artistic way at this show.  Nearly fifty wine bottles labeled with horses available for adoption through New Vocations, Illinois Equine Humane Center, Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue and Canter Mid Atlantic were on display with their descriptions for all to see.  They were quite the topic of conversation!

            Due to the fantastic growth in entries this year, the Thoroughbred Celebration is expanding to a three day schedule for each of the 2011 horse shows.  Join us March 18-20, June 10-12, and November 18-20 to watch these former racehorses succeed in new careers.  More information can be found at www.horsecenter.org and on Facebook: Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Shows.  All photos from this show are available through our Official Horse Show Photographer: Danny Young/Action Shots Photography: www.csyoung.smugmug.com

Pictures and Descriptions in order attached:

1)      $1,000 After the Finish Line Hunter Stake Winner ~ Myles with Gordon Reistrup riding (photo by Danny Young/Action Shots Photography)

2)      $1,000 Virginia Horse Center Jumper Stake Winner ~ Cat Woman with Chrissy Pagani riding (photo by Danny Young/Action Shots Photography)

3)      Fasig-Tipton Model Winner ~ Meant To Be with owner/handler Caitlin Zoetis (photo by Danny Young Action Shots Photography)

4)      Inaugural Stick Horse Race for charity, with outrider Nikara Feasey of Braeburn Training Center leading the post parade.  Jockey Tom Foley at far left.  (photo by Danny Young/Action Shots Photography) 

5)      The Wine Bottle Project, featuring adoptable horses from New Vocations, Illinois Equine Humane Center, Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue and Canter Mid Atlantic.