May 2016 The Standardbred Connection

The Standardbred e Connection e Celebrating the versitile Standardbred May 2016

Jumpers, Barrel Racers, Speed Racking and so much more....

The Standardbred Connection May 2016

Barcode Baby Steal Your Heart?

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One of THOSE Horses

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Smokin’ the Trails with Big Guns

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I’ve Got the Power!

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RUS NY: Breaking Records

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Athenas Revival

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DeRosa Park Diva

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Gone to Carolina

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Casino Evil

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Yey or neigh?

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Equine Disease Communication Center

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Alberta Wildfire Support

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Front Page: Athenas Revival and Chantell Wells were awarded the Best Performed Standardbred at the 2015 Alcoa Fairbridge One Day Event. Photo by Teresa Wells.

Questions, comments and article ideas can all be submitted via our website, TheStandardbredConnection.com or via email at STBConnection@Gmail.com

Barcode Baby Steal Your Heart?

Standardbred inspired tattoos

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attoos have been around for 5,300 years or so; the human relationship with horses began about 6,000 years ago. So it should come as no surprise that tattoos featuring horses are popular. Many a Standardbred fan has had their life changed or heart stolen by a ‘barcode baby’ and mark that relationship with a tattoo of their own. Each Standardbred has a unique tattoo, either numbers, letters or symbols depending on what country they were born in. Together the human tattoo and the Standardbred tattoo tell quite a story.

Saulsbrook Chief and Jillian Horne Over the last few years I have had the fortunate opportunity to share a bond with one of the greatest breeds of horse there is. The Standardbred.

To even sit and try to put it in words is difficult. It’s hard to explain.

He came to me when he was 14. It wasn’t always easy, we took time to warm up to each other and learn to be comfortable and to trust one another but I loved him before I even laid eyes on him. Perhaps the greatest part of our relationship is how hard we have worked to get where we are today. I started him under saddle myself initially and then sent him for training for a month. From there I did my lessons with him for two more months and I look back on it with fond memories.

It was never easy, it was hard work to achieve our goals but so very worth all the blood, sweat, tears and money. I am happy to report he just turned 20 and we have since pursued our dream to train in trail. Even with his age, the breed is so well suited for any discipline and the endurance is second to none. He makes my heart burst, I could not be more proud of how far we have come together. It is for that reason I decided to honour him while he is still here with me and to have his number tattooed on me also. His name is Saulsbrook Chief and I could not be more honoured to share this tattoo with such an amazing animal and athlete.

Investor and Julie Allison Investor wears a unique shoe which plays into the tattoo that Julie Allison sports on her arm.

Investor’s Photo by Vicki Wright

Smartiscape and Jana Rutkowske Smarti is a 10-year old gelding that not only races for Jana Rutkowske but is also her companion on trail rides throughout Western Pennsylvania..

Keystone Sable and Nicky Ratledge My retired Standardbred is my heart ‘n gold! You might see us a lot on Facebook if you’re friends with us! Her name is Keystone Sable!

We hated each other when my bosses, Tim and Patti Crissman, first bought her and I was the groom. Sable got claimed and then I was looking for a new race horse so Tim and Patti and I claimed her. She taught me alot about how we don’t always win, since my first horse won every race! She also went down hill very fast but we didn’t know what was wrong with her. We raced her for a few years and then I switched trainers, buying Tim and Patti out.

I decided to start riding Sable.

She loved it! I decided she has a home since I always wanted a riding horse! Since then we have accomplished so much!

Race! Hunters! Jumpers! Trail ride all over Delaware and Maryland! Judged trail rides!

Parades! Broodmare! And now we are barrel racing! She loves to please me and works to be the all-around horse I always wanted!

Källna Adam and Jessica Seehagen My name is Jessica and I live in the south part of Sweden in a small town called Trelleborg. When I was younger I started to work with Standardbred horses at a nearby track from where I lived and I fell in love with the beautiful and powerful horses.

So the years went by and a few years later I started a new job and I had to cut down on my time with the horses, and after a few months I didn’t even ride them anymore which was my favourite thing.

But I kept in touch with some of the trainers and one day one of them, named Sofie, asked me If I wanted to own 20% share of a 1 year old stallion and I said yes. I’ve never before owned a horse and this was a perfect excuse for getting back to the track although not as often as before and this time as a spectator.

I took a chance and bought him out so he could become a horse for dressage and jumping instead. Well it hasn’t been easy. I never thought it would. A real challenge. We’ve worked with a famous trainer Eamon Hickey and we’re making small progress. I can ride him but he’s still very anxious, stressed and spooks a lot. But he’s better now and he is still very young, only 6, so I have good hope for the future. Blood, sweat and tears literally but so much love in return.

This particular horse was very special. In my years working at the track I’ve met and handled many different horses but this one we couldn’t really figure out. So when he was 3 years old Sofie said that he was hard to handle and was taken to the vet for x-ray but they didn’t find anything. So when Sadly he was injured in 2015, a joint infection with he turned 4 they wanted to get rid of him because two operations followed by some serious rehabilitation with many visits to the clinic. I don’t know he was “untrainable” and “unstable”. how many tears I’ve cried for this horse, he is my best friend and he deserves so much better. One day at a time, one step at a time. I have hope, the prognoses is good and he is happier. I want him to find his purpose in life.

I decided the day I bought him that I wanted to get his name as a tattoo on my right arm. Last summer when I visited Falsterbo Horse Show I met a tattoo artist who helped me getting my tattoo that I wanted.

But It’s not completely done, I’m going to complete the whole thing with a horseshoe.

I hope you enjoyed my story and that you understood my love for this wonderful horses. I know that I can’t live without them.

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trider is one of THOSE ex- racehorses, you know, the crazy, full of fire types that make up a small percentage of Standardbred racehorses. Very little actually scares him, though- he’s just always going out for an adventure every time you work with him, and it’s up to you to hold on for the ride! Strider is ready to take on the world and conquer anything that comes his way.

Always attentive, yet a bundle of excited energy, even when the route we are going has been done dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of times. And he’s 20 years old.

Studs Hooligan (aka Strider) and I have been together for sixteen years. Energetic and curious, he’s never been abnormally spooky, and sharp as a tack when it comes to new things and situations. The downside is that he also gets easily bored, and if he feels the job is not entertaining enough, he loves to throw in some extra “pizazz” of his own. I’m fortunate to have had several other friends in the early days ride along with us, with seasoned horses who were like him (forward and outgoing) that showed him how to react in uncertain situations and random circumstances. It is hard to find someone with a horse willing to put up with a “youngster” and inexperienced shenanigans, be it on a trail ride, over fences, or in a group setting for a hunt.

Many other horses get crabby at the incessant bumps, nudges, or crowding, or even worse; feed off of it and become the same unmanageable mess, compounding the problem.

One of

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It’s our turn to pass on the love and experience from those horses who withstood all of Strider’s silliness in the early days, and help along the younger up and coming horses to gain the confidence with the guide of a seasoned master. In return, it gives him a job, and keeps his brain sane, as when we are by ourselves, we visit those baby silliness moments far too oftenmostly when he’s bored. It’s a wonderful, symbiotic relationship we get out of helping along youngsters.

The youngsters get a horse that is sane, going at a speed and temperament they can relax into. All he Photo by Suzanne Fischer Photography does is pin his ears to put them back in their place (which is always behind him!) and occasionally grunt We have been the “lead horse” for several endurance his disapproval at antics. The only time I can remem- influence on some of these hyper horses, He keeps ber him kicking out was when the horse had received and crossings. There have been people who asked tha several warnings of ears back, grunts, and tail swish- trouble in training with this aspect of trails at home. St es, and the young horse was using his tail and rump to play in the water, and dives right in! If a young horse as a pacifier. The youngster stayed close, but did back with them before they knew what they were doing. S problem- snuggle up kiddo and let’s keep going! He’s s off naturally for the rest of the ride!

ture with it! He does the same with teaching young horses Cross Country fences, be it in training or in a hunter pace. As long as Strider is in the lead, he knows his job is to show that everything is fun, and going to be OK. We have even done lead ups at shows, where a horse who had schooled just fine at home was suddenly overwhelmed by the new situation and environment, or dealing with buddy sourness on the way to the arena. He’s got a calming way about him when his job is to be so.

Yes, he’s got the overconfident, bundle of energy way about him, which is fantastic as a jumper and dressage mount. But it is wonderful to be able to enjoy rides with others while giving him a reason to show off his “Yep, I got this!” attitude, while helping another horse gain their confidence and experience without being held back- an important thing for many other off the track or even just naturally forward horses.

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ive, Energetic, Big Hearted

Our most recent experience with this was at the Columbus Ohio Equine Affair (EA) event in April, where Strider took the stage with a horse experiencing EA for the first time and “showed him the ropes” of looking good, that trash cans aren’t monsters, and trains are a short term noisy irritant. These demos are so much fun, but even the seasoned show horse can be put off by it’s totally different, more active and less organized atmosphere than that of a show. There is often a lot of noise, people expecting to touch, be near, take pictures, etc that happens at these venues, and having a nearby seasoned, yet alert, “old pro” can help make the experience more positive for the newbie and their handler. We have been blessed with those who were able to do this for us, and we are so happy to be able to help transition others who are interested into the world of showing off the amazing talents of the Standardbred horse!

by Amanda Munson

e rides and hunter paces- Strider is a surprisingly calm a great pace and tempo through all the terrains, turns, at we help them with water crossings, as they have had trider is quite the opposite- he looks for any opportunity e is snuggled up to his rump, we tend to be in the water Scary tree to maneuver around, or bridge to cross? No so patient with their antics, as long as he gets an adven-

I know our limitations- Strider is a small group or solo horse, and he is a lead horse who LOVES to show off! Knowing that has helped me focus on tasks that allow us to enjoy our jobs, and not fight Strider’s natural personality. While I know he has no concept of the “give back” mentality, he certainly seems to find pleasure in being the horse in charge on rides. He has become a great “babysitter” for these horses needing experience, and we look forward to helping many more gain confidence in their adventures!

Smokin’ the Trails with Big Guns 2016 Champions

Crowd Favorite 17 & Under: Haylee Wright Stanley & Rawhide’s Go Go Girl Crowd Favorite Adult: Patty Higgins & Nash 2 Year Old Racking: Champion: Scotty Horne & Homeboy’s Bandit 2nd: Juan Boyce & Legend 3rd: Felix Manuel & Dirty Diana 3 Year Old Racking: Champion: Junior Shupe & Pretty Girl (pictured below) 2nd: Daniel Lamb & Road Hazard 3rd: Jeff Davis & Winchester

Youth Racking: Champion: Ivey Jo Hart & Gold Express 2nd Cortney Dempsey & Fastest Girl in Town 3rd: Ellie Teasley & Rascal’s Rowdy Ruby Best Gaited Champion: Luke Stump and Gator on the Prowl 2nd: Todd John & Enterprise 3rd: Galen Conrad & Cajun Speed Racking Champion: Scotty Horne & Guns & Roses 2nd: Adam Hawthorne & Missle 3rd: Tony Smith & Ed Total Package Champion: Luke Stump & Gator on the Prowl (pictured below)

2nd: Jackie Yeager & Hammer 3rd: Todd John & Enterprise

Left: Bev Bishop Middle Row: (Left) Rick Alderson (Right) Juan Boyce riding Goldie Revrace Bottom Row: (Right) Scotty Horne with Guns & Roses (Left) Suzie Guardado Photos by Sherry Hilton Photography

I’ve Got The Power!

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by Erica Beltz

y name is Erica and I own an off-the-track Standardbred named I’ve Got The Power. I have had Powers for 2 and a half years now and he is definitely my best friend.

Since I have gotten Powers I have run him on barrels and poles. I have had a rope and practice throwing it off of him but not on a cow, yet hopefully soon. Powers has been around cows and chased them, he has definitely started to love them!

This past October, I took Powers to Ohio for the World Standardbred Show, we won Grand Champion for barrels and poles, and I was very impressed with him.​​ Powers was born in Florida on May 9, 2003. When he was racing Powers won the 2006 Florida Breeders Stake at Pompano Park. He was one amazing racer, I’ve seen videos and pictures. He was a pacer but now he trots and canters; he has turned into a true horse again, not just a racer.

It took some time for us to connect but since that day our bond has been unbreakable.

After he got off the track I trained him to ride and I didn’t know much, we learned a lot together. Today I get complimented on how he does anything I ask him to do, it shows the bond and trust between the two of us. I am constantly learning more and so is he, we learned together.

I met Powers in New Jersey at Showplace Farms, I didn’t go there looking for a horse, I went to see my uncle. I came home with a horse that was going to change my life for the better. I got Powers for free, I never knew how much he would mean to me but today I could never sell him, no matter the price. I am beyond grateful he came into my life not only did I choose him, but he choose me back, and life doesn’t get better then that. That is my story about I’ve Got The Power, he is an incredible horse that touches everyone’s heart.

Power and Erica Barrel racing images provided by Grafx Solutions Photography

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ast summer, Sophie Engerran and Funny Photo broke the North American seven-eighths-mile track record with a time of 1:59.0. It was the horse’s first time racing under saddle and the first leg of the Vernon Down’s RUS Series.

In the fall, Glorious Winner took to a sloppy track after a rain delay to finish the Monticello Raceway Invitational with trainer Jocelyn Gale aboard in a track record time of 2:05.4. The record was previously set by Michelle Crawford and her mare Vassar Hall two years ago with a time of 2:08.3.

Andrea Pratt and her horse My Friend Charlie captured the RUS NY Fair Final Championship Title on September 2 . The victory earned the rider her first racing under saddle victory.

by Michelle Miller

Monte (RUS) racing continues to grow and records are continuously being broken.

Michelle Miller earned the High Point Rider Award of the fair series.

She participated in every RUS fair event including getting three wins in a row aboard the 14-year-old American Winner gelding Winner’s Star K. That marked the most wins by an U.S. horse.

Miller concluded the fair series with two victories in one day at Tompkins County Fair in Trumansburg. Her four total victories gave her the most wins (as a rider) in the U.S. Miller’s brother, Michael Miller, led the 2015 trainer stats in both the U.S. and Canada with four wins.

Mike Guitard and Pam Forgie posted three each in Ontario.

Sophie Engerran on Funny Photo

The excitement of racing under saddle at New York State county fairs will continue this summer. RUS New York, an organization that helps promote the sport and the versatility of Standardbreds, has announced its third fair series. Races will begin on July 5 with the H.S. Mead Memorial at Tioga County Fair in Owego and conclude with the final at Batavia Downs on September 7.

The New York Sire Stake has generously donated $5,000 as initial purse money.

The series will include nine race legs and a championship final race, with points earned along the way to determine final entries.

Horses need at least two starts to be eligible for the final. A High Point Rider Award will once again be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. Complete rules and regulations are posted on the RUS NY webpage at: http://rus-newyork.com/ racing/fair-rulesregulations/.

Official dates and locations for the series are as follows: ▪ Tuesday, July 5 - Tioga County in Owego ▪ Friday, July 8 - Afton Fair ▪ Tuesday, July 19 - “Little World’s Fair” in Hemlock ▪ Tuesday, July 26 - Oneida County in Boonville ▪ Tuesday, Aug. 2 - Otsego County in Morris ▪ Tuesday, Aug. 9 - Oswego County in Sandy Creek ▪ Monday, Aug. 15 - Wayne County in Palmyra ▪ Tuesday, Aug. 16 - Steuben County in Bath ▪ Tuesday, Aug. 23 - Tompkins County in Trumansburg

Andrea Pratt on My Friend Charlie accepting winning cooler at Monticello Raceway after winning the RUS NY Fair Series Final.

This year, the goal is to have a purse of $750 or more per fair. Members of RUS New York are working hard to secure funding for future races. If you would like to sponsor RUS New York please visit their website at http://rus-newyork.com.

Athenas Revival

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hantell Wells is the proud owner of Athenas Revival (race name Whitbys Revival) a nine-year-old mare. Athena was headed to the sales when Chantell found her and set about feeding her up. Soon Athena was broken to saddle and then Chantell made a fantastic discovery, her mare loved to jump!

Photos by Teresa Wells

Three years later the pair has gone from 45cm (18 inches) to now competing and winning at PreNovice (105cm) Eventing and Show Jumping (SJ) at 110cm (3 1/2 feet).

Chantell and Athena were in the winning 95cm team at State eventing and most recently competed at an event held in Perth Western Australia right on the Swan River known as Eventing in the Park, very prestigious event that combines XC and SJ fences in a large SJ type arena with thousands of people watching. They took one rail down, placing 24th out of 60 entries.

The pair were also featured in the video Off the Track WA - Standardbreds at Eventing In The Park, which can be viewed on Youtube.

Meet 2016 Toowoomba Royal Show Champion led Standardbred Mare ‘DeRosa Park Diva’

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eRosa Park Diva’s race name was Magestic Dreamer and she is a dream come true for owner Candice Wilkins from Beaudesert, QLD. Callie, as she is affectionately known, is currently trained and shown by Jemma Green’s stable ‘18/24 Equine’ which is based in Moonbi (Tamworth) NSW.

Callie is currently being shown led to promote the Standardbred breed but is also in training under saddle to start as a newcomer hunter Galloway after July. She is showing a lot of potential to fulfill this goal. Callie has had a wonderful amount of success in the show ring within her limited outings. With her most recent success at the 2016 Toowoomba Royal Show where she was awarded Champion led Standardbred Mare, as well as claiming Reserve Champion Best Presented Standardbred Exhibit.

Thank you to Jemma Green for introducing us to this lovely mare and best of luck to Callie and Ms. Wilkins with their in hand and under saddle endevors.

Photo by Caitlin Vaughen.

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Gone to Carolina

my Higgin’s is the proud owner of the 18 year old, pacer mare, Gone to Carolina. Carolina is ridden and trained by Kathleen Bailey.

Carolina distinguished herself at the Maine Horse Association’s 2015 year end awards with Grand Championships in the open Road Hack, Show Hack and Pocket Pattern divisions.

This talented mare also won the Three-gaited Standarbred Pleasure division and the Three-gaited STB Life After Racing award.

Bailey and Carolina also competed in the New England Horse Council’s Open Road Hack division and she was awarded third place in the year end awards. Her outstanding canter and big gaits make her very competitive in open classes and I am beyond proud of her!

Casino Evil

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with Connie Turner

asino Evil, or Stormy as he is also known, is a 9yr old bay, a most beautiful rich burgundy colour. I got him from a trainer two days before Easter this year, he had raced in Broken Hill the week prior to that, so he was straight off the track! He needed to find a home fast. The regular retrainers where full up and couldn’t take any more till they had sold a few, so I thought, “well, I might as well give it a go, take him on and retrain him as a ridden horse so he has a better chance of finding a forever home,” I had broken in a couple of horses before so I had a general idea what was involved.

I only had him 3 days then was able to ride him, he is such a quick learner he took to being a ridden horse like a duck to water! Slowing down his trot took a day or so, but he learnt quickly, he learnt leg yields and neck reining in about 10 minutes, he could canter but was a bit rushed, his trot was beautiful. We continued learning and desensitizing with many things, he picked everything up very quickly and always looked at me asking,” Is that what you wanted? How did I do?” Such a pleasing boy!

I had an appointment for him to have his dental done and body massage/adjustment the next week to make sure he was in top condition before I got into too much riding. I believe when they retire from the track they should all be checked over if they are to become a good riding horse. Stormy’s training was coming along so good I decided to enter him in the local Horse Complex Show in Mildura, Australia.

I’m not normally a show type of person but thought it would be good exposure for him. I didn’t plait his mane as it is beautifully long and thick, I didn’t want to cut it. I was not expecting too much from him at the show, I just wanted him to remain calm and enjoy the experience. Well to my surprise he did very well, we did some cantering in the practice area and he seemed to

collect himself a bit better than he had previously.

So off we go into the events, not only did he remain as cool as a cucumber, he won First prize in the best ridden gelding section! Overall he got 1 first, 1 second and 4 third place ribbons! Most of his thirds the Judge said he was a bit light on condition, but when I explained that he had only come off the track two weeks ago she was amazed that he had done so well. A truly amazing effort for a horse that has just been broken in!

His training will continue. Stormy never fails to amaze me! He has learnt to lunge beautifully, collects himself nicely while trotting, can canter both directions, neck reins, leg yields, ground ties, has competed in Shows, and of course the things all Standardbreds are famously great at. He does still have areas of improvement but I am in awe of what this boy has learnt in such a short time.

Sometimes I do wonder if I’m teaching Stormy too much too soon, but he just takes it all in and looks at me as if to say, “ Well, we got that down pat, what’s next!”

Will You Go 2 Prom With Me? Yey or Neigh?

Suzanne D’Ambrose and Independent Act helped their neighbor, Bryan Roger, ask his girlfriend to the prom.

She said Yey!

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Equine Disease Communication Center

he Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry in North America from the threat of infectious diseases by seeking and reporting real-time information about disease outbreaks and providing biosecurity and disease information. By helping mitigate and prevent the spread of disease, the EDCC improves horse welfare and helps prevent the negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading

The EDCC website is located at www.equinediseasecc.org and includes continuously updated disease outbreak alerts; comprehensive information concerning diseases, vaccinations and biosecurity; and contact information for state veterinary offices. Alerts and other information are also posted on the EDCC’s social media platforms. “Like” the EDCC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EquineDiseaseCC and follow @EquineDiseaseCC on Twitter.

www.equinediseasecc.org

Alberta Wildfire Support The Canadian Standardbred Network, in coordination with the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF), Horse Racing Alberta and Standards Equine, has established 3 main drop off points for Equine/Livestock donations to support the relief efforts for those affected by the wildfires currently in Alberta, Canada.

Monetary donations are to be made through AEF, and will provide funds towards emergency aid such as feed, transportation, veterinary care. Visit http://www.albertaequestrian.com/ to make a donation.

At this time until we have a better understanding of the equine community’s needs we ask that those bringing physical donations limit them to essential horse care related items. For safety and biosecurity issues we can only accept unopened bags of feed, and veterinary care items. Please clean all other items before drop off.

Basic items needed include: Water buckets, feed buckets/tubs, hay cubes, basic feeds, halters, lead ropes, fly spray, and fly sheets.

First aid supplies are also greatly appreciated at this time. Items must be new and unopened. Needed items include: Vet wrap, gauze pads/wrap, telfa pads, topical wound ointments, (polysporin, dermagel, furazone, diaper rash cream etc) and cleaning agents both for wounds, (betadine, chlorhexidine etc) and sanitizing to aid with biosecurity.

Other items such as saddles, bridles, and other kinds of tack that will need to be replaced eventually but are not needed at this time.

The drops off locations are: EDMONTON AREA Tudor Equestrian 9780 51 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T6E 0A6 Hours: Mon- Wed 10AM–6PM Thursday 10AM–8PM Friday 10AM–6PM Saturday 10AM–5PM Sunday Closed

RED DEER AREA Victory Tack Shop RR1 Burnt Lake Business Park Red Deer, AB T4S 2L4 Hours: Mon - Thurs 10AM–6PM Fri - Sat 10AM–5PM Sunday Closed

CALGARY AREA Foxwood Farms 273120 Range Road 42 Cochrane, AB T4C 2B4 Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 8PM Saturday & Sunday 8AM - 6PM

If you have any questions regarding drop off locations please contact Charlene: canadianstandardbrednetwork@gmail.com, or Kami: klhamelinrn@gmail.com