Handsome boy!

Thoroughbred Makeover V1 Equinoxe thank you to my dear friend @nv-games for the Gif CC used: (Only the eyes are absolutely required) . Smaller Eyes + Eye Geom Fix (with eyelids) by @objuct . Default Skin by @minervamagicka . Realistic eyes by @walnuthillfarm . Dressage saddle & dressage saddle pad by @minervamagicka and Schrodcat . Better horse body by @pure-winter-cc . Better horse Shoes by @objuct . Black Mane/Forelock/Tail by me

Download my Thoroughbred V1 here

. do not reupload . do not claim as your own . have fun !  :D . If you have any questions about Installation Steps or if you can’t find my pets in your game, please check out my FAQ. If you’d like to support me you can buy me a croissant on Paypal (thank you ♥) @sssvitlanz

Sunny might be a spicy witch at times (to everyone but him, strangely enough), but when they entered the ring, it was game time. He could feel her body engage and her focus slide into place, and he couldn't help but smile. Here in the arena, it was just them - the world simply ceased to exist in these special moments as their hearts beat as one.

Miles & Sunny in the dressage ring for The Equestrian Sims Thoroughbred Club's Thoroughbred Makeover show over on @theequestriansims

Muskoka Farm - World Class Thoroughbred Breeding and Training Facility

Muskoka Farm is a 280-acre farm in the heart of New South Wales, surrounded by national parks and natural bushland. The facility is ideal for training horses for the racetrack. It is continually updating its approach to horse care, fine tuning the science of race horse care.

If you're looking to do a little R&R while you're in the neighbourhood, then Accommodation at Muskoka Farm might be just the ticket. It's a family owned business that is known for providing a unique experience for both visitors and locals. Whether you're looking for a quick getaway or a more serious get away, Muskoka Farms has something for everybody. To know more about Horse Breakers NSW, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call (02)45663106.

The farm itself is a family run operation that has been in business since 1950. They're located on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, an hour's drive from the city centre. There's also a quaint little spa and inn just minutes from the farm. Located in the heart of cottage country, Muskoka Farms is a great place to base yourself while you're in town. Alternatively, you could stay in one of the many luxury apartments that are on offer for the duration of your visit.

Although the farm itself hasn't been tainted with a monopoly, the owners are no strangers to the competitive arena. As part of their mission to bring top-class facilities to the area, they've put in place an effective security policy that includes a high-tech alarm system. Additionally, they've gone to great lengths to ensure that the best in breed care is always on hand, should the need arise.

If you are looking for a top-class horse care facility, Muskoka Farm is the place to be. Located in Wisemans Ferry on the Central Coast of New South Wales, the farm offers a complete range of services.

Muskoka Farm has undergone a complete makeover in recent years. With five stable barns and 58 stables, it is possible to house up to 200 horses. Additionally, the farm has a large outdoor pool, a private jetty and a two-bedroom guest house.

The facility is located on 280 acres of natural bushland and is surrounded by national parks. As a result, it is an ideal location to take care of your race horses. It is constantly developing its approach to race horse care.

It is also home to some of Australia's leading trainers. The farm provides individualized care to each of its horses. This includes providing an AQIS quarantine facility for exporting horses.

In addition, the farm has a full-size agistment and exercise facility. It has 38 paddocks and a ten-horse dry walker, and a first-class five-horse aqua walker.

The horse racing industry is a highly competitive one and the best laid plans can go awry. That said, there is something to be said for having a well rounded and healthy competition. Aside from the usual suspects, there is a plethora of quality new blood coming in from overseas and the good old US of A. In fact, there is even a private training facility operating in the shadows of Rylstone. Unlike some of its brethren, the place isn't plagued by a lack of a budget and a shortage of a qualified staff. Moreover, it is located in a safe and secure suburb in which to conduct a bit of business. So, if you are in the market for a quality training facility and want to ensure that your prized possession is the talk of the town, you're in luck.

It is also worth noting that the aforementioned aforementioned 280 acre property is surrounded by some of the country's most scenic natural attractions. Hence, it is not surprising that the company is able to draw its best and brightest from coast to coast.

Muskoka Farm is a world class thoroughbred breeding and training facility. Located in Gunderman, NSW, this property offers a unique environment to train and care for race horses.

The farm is located on 280 acres of natural bushland. It is surrounded by national parks and offers a tranquil setting for race horse training and racing. This is a unique equine environment that is constantly evolving to provide the most professional and expert care possible.

A 2.4 km crusher dust track, a private jetty and a 2000 m grass track are just some of the features of this facility. Additionally, the farm features a two-bedroom guest house and a facility manager's house.

As well as the amenities on offer, the farm is also home to Australia's leading horse trainers. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a new home, you will find everything you need here.

The farm is a great place to visit, relax and recharge. It is located on a river that snakes around the property. During warmer seasons, you can enjoy swimming in the pool and golfing on the golf course. To know more about Horse Breakers NSW, visit the Muskoka Farm website or call (02)45663106.

Reincheque

Kelly Murphy-Alley - 2017 Horse Trainer of the Year Nominee

It's great to see trainers like Kelly Murphy-Alley give horses a second chance. Kelly gave a race horse named Storm Prospector another chance after it retired from an unsuccessful track racing career and turned the thoroughbred it into a wonderful barrel racing horse as part of the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover competition. When Kelly isn't training horses she also works as a teacher, coach and mentor to young girls in barrel racing.

https://www.greatmats.com/horse-stall-mats/kelly-murphy-alley-2017-horse-trainer-of-the-year-nominee.php

Nominate a Horse Trainer before November 1, 2017!

TB or Not TB... What a Stupid Question.

I have to say first off that I have known some amazing warmbloods, Westphalians, Hanoverians, Irish Sport Horses all shapes and sizes, and would own one in the future if the right one came along, but this does not in anyway blind me to the brilliance that can be an Off the Track Thoroughbred, OTTB. I happen to be utterly in love with my fellow Henry my 1st OTTB I am retraining myself as we try and prepare to compete at the TB Makeover later this year at the Kentucky Horse Park. He tries so very hard for me, has a super work ethic always keen to go out, he begs to go out by standing right at his stall door and gently nosing the door. He will fall asleep as you comb his mane and forelock. No halter required, he will leave his hay to have his mane combed.  He has good ground manners and will trailer alone or with company.

So the fact that I get rude things said in my horse’s direction, to my face, or texts like this when I recommended a perfectly lovely TB for sale “I can’t do a TB”….“They want a beautiful WB” boggles my mind. Since I got Henry I have been turned away from boarding at stables and attending clinics because he had more than three starts and been told my horse was “Good for nothing” “Has a screw loose because he came from the track” etc... All of it makes me ever more to determined to succeed with my own OTTB, its why I named the blog Neighsayers.  I have been putting on my “Retired Racehorse Project hat”, a lot lately as I have been explaining the TB Makeover people and my fellow Henry has been doing a good job of being a good ambassador horse. I mean on our 2nd trail ride ever we got buzzed less then five minutes into our ride by a F-22 fighter jet luckily only one and not the Blue Angels which are a concern where we live in WA State as they do like to train on sunny days. The jet was close enough for me to read some tail numbers. My fellow danced a bit tossing his head, as I am sure the sound hurt his ears as it bothered mine. But you know he didn’t do anything crazy toss me to moon and back etc etc…  I had no idea what would happen it was a really loud sound and not something we had experienced together so really with horses TB or not anything can happen. I wish all those people who said awful and untrue things about Henry’s mind or temperament could have seen how well he did with the fighter jet flying right over us.

 I was so proud of him and then once we had gotten back from our trail ride the person I was riding out with kindly offered to walk, then trot and canter their horse around the ring while my sister led Henry about first in the same and then opposite direction. He did really well, he would look the other horse a really sweet Warmblood gelding, as he cantered first in front then behind of Henry but other then looking at Kaboom. Henry was so chill about another horse working in the ring. We even had them stand together for a full minute in the middle of the ring then Kaboom went off and worked at the trot and canter and Henry was like “Hey man I get to nap here in the middle of the ring its all cool. ”  Both my sister and I were so chuffed with his behavior it was kind of like having your kid go off to school and them getting complimented on their lovely manners. We felt like we are bringing Henry along to be a top notch sport horse and all around good horse citizen. I guess that is what truly frustrates me apart from the sheer rudeness of some people is their inability to see past the end of their nose that a good horse is a good horse no matter their breed or previous career. Snowman was an Amish plow horse on a one way trip before Mr. deLeyer purchased him off the trailer and Snowman turned into a champion jumper winning at Madison Square Gardens no less. Henry is great horse; it’s his temperament that sold him in the 1st place. And he is rather handsome if we do say ourselves, we are proud to have in our family and this would be true if he were any other breed. So open your eyes and see that there are great horses out there who happen to have other careers before you found them and if you want to see some really talented and beautifully horses compete come on down to the Kentucky Horse Park the 1st weekend of October.  

Plantation Field RRP Preview

“Howie Gonnado This”

Guess what? We entered the Makeover today! Cross your fingers that they accept my application to be a trainer for 2018. We likely won’t find out whether or not they accepted my application until February 1st, and the wait might kill me. I’m headed to the stables to give the big guy (and the princess and the boy horse) apples to celebrate and say hello before I have to go to work. Pray I don’t break my neck walking around the stables in heels, okay?

📸: BNB Photography

Honored and excited to have the girls’ story featured by RRP today! 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/199192973475665/posts/3109833235744943/?d=n

OTTB transformation for the Thoroughbred Makeover!

Hip 440, 56, and 223 posing for the OTTBA’s Thoroughbred Makeover Challenge. This was right before they went to their new homes!

My Journey to Kentucky

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

My journey to Kentucky started with an idea.

I’m a goal setter and a planner. In late December 2019, I sat down to write my goals for 2020. I always have big goals. I’m constantly pushing myself to be better and have been taught to aim high (something that was instilled in me from my mom during my youth). I learned that while aiming for the stars, if I fall short, I still have accomplished a lot by doing my best. So, I wrote down my big goals. Some of those goals were about bettering myself as a rider and some were to be accomplished in my pro rodeo career (INFR). As I wrote my goals down, on post-it notes that decorated my bathroom mirror, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. I was missing the mark on a goal for my equine training career but didn’t know where to go from there. So, I let that stew in the back of my mind.

A few days later, I was listening to the audio book Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxell Maltz. It’s a great listen and shows how powerful the mind is. My mom recommended it to me and my sisters as part of a family “book club”. I was instantly hooked. I can’t remember what chapter it was in but there was a story that really struck me. It was about a famous mathematician that came up with a solution to a problem that seemed impossible to solve. When asked how he did it, he said, “I believe that there are solutions to every problem and great ideas just floating around the universe. It takes a higher power or God to bring them to a person. It’s not that any person is better than the next but when they are using their gifts, they are more open to receive such things.” As us North Dakotans say, “OOOFDA!”. That hit home.

Fast forward two days. I was up late at night and this idea popped into my brain. God whispered, “Check out the Retired Racehorse Project in Kentucky. This is right up your alley.” Off to google I went.

Tandra: “Interesting, they have so many events for off the track thoroughbreds. Barrel racing and competitive trail is SO me.”

God: “Tell Kelly, she would like this too.”

Tandra: “Wait, do I have horses that qualify?!” ~crazily typing my OTTB name’s into Equibase~

             “They do qualify! We have to find Kelly a horse.”

I texted my best friend, rodeo partner, and fellow horse trainer at three in the morning. Mind you, RRP is something I never thought about or researched before. My good friend, Julie, mentioned to me in passing one day but I never gave it a second thought until now. Kelly probably rolls her eyes at my crazy ideas but she’s always down to jump on a wild journey with me.

So, we applied. It was a lengthy application process with lots of requirements including a written letter from our vet, description of our skills, and riding videos. Mind you, we had 10 days to apply, nothing like down to the wire! We sent our videos back and forth to each other to critique and tweak. Entries were due January 15th, 2020 with the application fee of $300/horse.

Then we wait.

The Retired Racehorse Makeover site told us they would announce the selected trainers by February 15th via email. Man, were we nervous and excited! Everyday, Kelly and I would talk on the phone about it and how we had to go find her a horse that qualifies. On February 14th midafternoon Kelly called me screaming. We both made it!

Over six hundred entries for trainers, amateurs and juniors from the U.S. and Canada were selected. Only three trainers from North Dakota made the cut. I feel so blessed and honored to be part of a wonderful event that showcases our personal off the track thoroughbreds. It really is wonderful what happens when you use your gifts according to plan and the opportunities that present themselves.

-T

Next time on Keeping Up with The Oxbow’s: What the heck is RRP?