2017 RRP Makeover Competition Wrap up
Now that the Makeover is over I wanted to do a wrap up. Thank you to all that have followed T-Rex along his journey. He has been a joy to work with and will continue to thrive in my program until is special person finds him.
T-Rex placed 12th in the Field Hunter division. Phenomenal for a horse that had only actually hunted once, back in March! He was a bit tense and didn't show his best colors in the flat portion, which really made all viewers cautious of him. Then the Mock hunt, which he of course was excited for, but he took it with stride and played along. The grass was slick with dew, and we had a slip that the judges only saw the end of and had thought he had acted up, but T-Rex in his gracious way picked his head and neck up (with me hanging on to it) and put me back on his back without losing a stride. The horses didn't want to lose me, he just slipped and lost both of his back legs out from under him! Staying on top though left us with a salvageable score. The individual test was a long wait, we were towards the end of the group and stood for 3 hours waiting. The poor guy was asleep and bounded over the first jump a little stiff, but then it was game on! He went over every jump like it was nothing, water woohoo, he even got a good gallop in up the last hill to the stop. He stopped with grace and stood on a loose rein. The last jump all the horses were having problems with and I couldn't decide how to approach and last second decided to just trot (well lets be serious almost walk) up to it and he popped right over it with no doubt in his mind! He truly wants to be a handy hunter! We went through the stiff gate (wishing I had some WD40) with no problems at all and walked away with a pat on his neck and a tired.
Next it was onto Competitive Trail division. This division was tough. The obstacles were tricky, but nothing T-Rex was worried about. The water was no problem at all, the ditch wasn't scary in the slightest, the mail carry was tricky but not hard. We had to make tight turns and change leads while carrying a saddle bag, which T-Rex called torchere because you just are supposed to grab the mail and take it back to the house? He didn't mind the pulley system for the bag into the tree, and was patient for me to tie it off. The next obstacle was a struggle because right as we started a 4 wheeler and then a dirt bike went vrooming by, distracting my poor ottb who then saw the carriage horses and then he was sure there was more to eat him! we calmed down but the next obstacle though and was ready to see the chickens and back through the Z. The noodles and tarps were cool itching devices to T-Rex, because why else would someone hang pool noodles up? The bridge was super slick, and after watching everyone else end up sliding off or teetering the bridge, I asked T-Rex to take little baby steps and have a smooth encounter. We finished the course and then carried the tired puppy, Luna on back to the barns! all and all a super fun morning. We finished 11th, this was so close to the prizes I could taste them but he was super good and I couldn't complain. Enjoy the photos and videos, and scroll down for the rest of his year.
T-Rex placed 12th in the Field Hunter division. Phenomenal for a horse that had only actually hunted once, back in March! He was a bit tense and didn't show his best colors in the flat portion, which really made all viewers cautious of him. Then the Mock hunt, which he of course was excited for, but he took it with stride and played along. The grass was slick with dew, and we had a slip that the judges only saw the end of and had thought he had acted up, but T-Rex in his gracious way picked his head and neck up (with me hanging on to it) and put me back on his back without losing a stride. The horses didn't want to lose me, he just slipped and lost both of his back legs out from under him! Staying on top though left us with a salvageable score. The individual test was a long wait, we were towards the end of the group and stood for 3 hours waiting. The poor guy was asleep and bounded over the first jump a little stiff, but then it was game on! He went over every jump like it was nothing, water woohoo, he even got a good gallop in up the last hill to the stop. He stopped with grace and stood on a loose rein. The last jump all the horses were having problems with and I couldn't decide how to approach and last second decided to just trot (well lets be serious almost walk) up to it and he popped right over it with no doubt in his mind! He truly wants to be a handy hunter! We went through the stiff gate (wishing I had some WD40) with no problems at all and walked away with a pat on his neck and a tired.
Next it was onto Competitive Trail division. This division was tough. The obstacles were tricky, but nothing T-Rex was worried about. The water was no problem at all, the ditch wasn't scary in the slightest, the mail carry was tricky but not hard. We had to make tight turns and change leads while carrying a saddle bag, which T-Rex called torchere because you just are supposed to grab the mail and take it back to the house? He didn't mind the pulley system for the bag into the tree, and was patient for me to tie it off. The next obstacle was a struggle because right as we started a 4 wheeler and then a dirt bike went vrooming by, distracting my poor ottb who then saw the carriage horses and then he was sure there was more to eat him! we calmed down but the next obstacle though and was ready to see the chickens and back through the Z. The noodles and tarps were cool itching devices to T-Rex, because why else would someone hang pool noodles up? The bridge was super slick, and after watching everyone else end up sliding off or teetering the bridge, I asked T-Rex to take little baby steps and have a smooth encounter. We finished the course and then carried the tired puppy, Luna on back to the barns! all and all a super fun morning. We finished 11th, this was so close to the prizes I could taste them but he was super good and I couldn't complain. Enjoy the photos and videos, and scroll down for the rest of his year.
Retired Racehorse Project's
Thoroughbred Makeover Competition
Katie Hall and Magna Rex's Journey
2017 Makeover Competition Statistics578 total trainers accepted
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As many of you may know, I did not have the opportunity, like many, to have an endless pocket book, a personal trainer, or any other of those handy things childhood equestrians have. I started on a 30 plus year old mare then moved onto a paint mare, who I love but many call crazy. My first project horse came to me from my neighbor, a thoroughbred! A gelding with no promise of a racing career, and realistically headed to Kolona sale barn, with no use in the breeding herd. Many of you now know this horse as our beloved Jack, but he started as a has been young gelding that I started on a cement cattle pen (yes I was there, no I don't recommend this). I had so many trying days with him in his younger years but I loved him and he sneaked his way into my heart. Since then I have worked with many OTTB horses and loved so many of them. I decided this year to try my hand on getting into the Makeover competition through the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP). RRP has a goal of bringing value to horses like Jack, those that aren't good enough racers to continue or to breed the next generation. I have a video link to the left from the RRP website to explain some of their mission and last years competition. I am blessed to have been accepted into this great competition and will be competing against some stiff competition. I have highlighted some of the demographics posted on the website for you above the video. Visit the RRP website (linked under my calendar) to find out more info.
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Thank you to our gracious sponsors!
I huge thank you to Horse and Community magazine for using me and T-Rex as their featured equestrian for June! The magazine is focusing on ALL aspects of horse life in the quad cities and surrounding areas. Please consider a subscription (free currently!) and an ad in the publication. Read the article online and check out her other great reads at the link below.