Retired_T_Bred_Love.qxp_Florida Horse_template 9/18/18 11:53 AM Page 47
TOM COOLEY PHOTO
In July, the Loves received a call from Linda Bubbers, a dressage trainer from Amberdell Equestrian in South Merritt Island, Fla. She contacted the Loves about matching Hobby with one of her students, Kerry MakiDale, from Satellite Beach. On June 5, Maki-Dale’s 20-year-old American Saddlebred gelding Merchant Town, died after nearly 15 years of partnership. Through the loss of Merchant Town, Maki-Dale realized how important being with horses was to her healing process from the recently losing her husband to cancer. She knew she wanted another horse and it was then that she asked Bubbers for help. Bubbers’ farm, Amberdell Equestrian, strives to provide a retraining sanctuary for rescue horses and to educate people about the proper care, training, and responsible greeted and bonded with Maki-Dale. “Hobby had ownership of horses. Linda Bubbers was familiar with more than just good manners, he showed a desire to Florida TRAC, a program sponsored by Gulfstream Park, connect with us and especially with Kerry,” recounted and Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds from her ex- Bubbers. They got a chance to feel each other out on perience retraining and rehoming. This was where she the ground and under-saddle and by the end of the began her search for MakiDales new horse. From there her search expanded until she reached the Retired Race- him into the citizen he is now and gave him the ability to horse Project page and finally bond with Kerry. —dressage trainer Linda Bubbers found a horse that she thought could work. Hobby had retired with excellent soundness, day it was clear he had found his new owner. Don greeted the trailer for the bittersweet moment of and along with his intelligent and friendly demeanor, he watching Hobby leave for his new home at the Amwas a good candidate. Bubbers and Maki-Dale, came up to meet the berdell Equine Sanctuary at Rivertime on Merritt Island. horse a short time later and Hobby enthusiastically Hobby greeted the group and posed for pictures with his owner and future owner. In fact, the horse would be leaving in style in a new trailer bought from Nelson Jones trailer specifically to haul him home. Bubbers and Maki-Dale reassured Love with pictures of Hobby upon arrival to his new life. Photos of his barn, pasture and arenas arrived shortly afterward. Hobby has begun his training and has become familiar with his new routine. His new role is to be MakiDale’s riding horse and companion. She plans to compete with him in dressage and as a low-level hunter. Bubbers credits Don and Carole, the foaling manager and trainers with giving Hobby the life experiences that made him such a kind and trainable horse. “I believe that the manner that they took care of him shaped him into the citizen he is now and gave him the ability to bond with Kerry,” said Bubbers. Not only the Loves are cheering for their horse in his new career but so are all the horsemen whose lives he touched over the last decade. ■
Senor Habanero in winners circle at Tampa Bay Downs May 6, 2012
GULFSTREAM PARK PHOTO
COURTESY DON LOVE
“I believe that the manner that they took care of him shaped ”
Linda Bubbers with her “Hobby”
(at left) Senor Habanero at Gulfstream Park July 1, 2014
THE FLORIDA HORSE • OCTOBER 2018 47