Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: New Vocations Pony Club Challenge Edition

Earlier this year New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program partnered with the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. to launch an exciting educational opportunity: the New Vocations Pony Club Challenge. The incentive-based competition is designed to give Pony Club members an opportunity to adopt retired racehorses, with participants showcasing their horse management and riding skills learned through Pony Club while providing qualified homes and new careers for retired racehorses.

For the Challenge, New Vocations will provide up to 50 free, retired racehorses, along with a $1,800 stipend, to eligible and pre-approved Pony Club members. These Pony Club members will compete for $10,000 in cash and prizes at the 2018 USPC Championships East in dressage, eventing, games, polocrosse, show jumping or western disciplines.

“By bringing together two organizations that are leaders in their fields, we will be able to provide an educational, incentive-based competition for Pony Club members that will ultimately increase the number of retired racehorses being moved into second careers,” explains Anna Ford, Thoroughbred Program Director for New Vocations. “We feel very strongly that this program will help educate the public on how much these horses have to offer once they leave the track while providing a wonderful opportunity for Pony Club members to experience equine ownership.”

Teresa Woods, Pony Club Executive Director, adds, “We are thrilled to partner with New Vocations to give Pony Club members this unique training and ownership opportunity. Education and horsemanship is synonymous with Pony Club, so what better way for members to utilize their Pony Club knowledge?”

For more information check out the New Vocations website. Here are three New Vocations Pony Club Challenge eligible OTTBs that caught our eye!

Photo via New Vocations.

Bi Light of Day (Five Star Day – Lady Bi Bi, by Lord Avie): 2010 15.2-hand New York bred mare

Bi Light Of Day, nicknamed “Lolli,” is a very elegant and refined girl with an attractive athletic build. Sired by multiple graded stakes winner Five Star Day, Lolli was a consistent runner on the track earning an impressive $185,875 in 46 career starts.

After Lolli’s 9th place finish on 6/14/17 her connections felt it was time for her to move on to her next career. Lolli has retired sound and has been transitioned into a turnout routine since arriving at the New Vocations facility. She is easy to handle on the ground and well behaved under saddle. Lolli is not spooky and a very straight forward ride. NV has been working on getting her to relax her top line and settle into a steady rhythm. She is naturally forward, but not a “hot” ride.

Lolli has made steady progress with every ride and has been more relaxed each day. She has been started over fences, and while she was uncertain at first, once she understood what was being asking of her she picked it up very quickly. Lolli is suitable for any discipline and does not have any limitations.

View Bi Light of Day on New Vocations.

Photo via New Vocations.

Tracy Island (U S Ranger – Moolakaya (FR), by Alzao): 2013 16.0-hand mare

Tracy caught NV’s eye as soon as she stepped off the trailer. She has a large intelligent eye and good looks to go with it. Tracy is a substantial, well built girl with a driven work oriented personality. She has retired after 13 career starts and is ready for her next job in life.

Tracy has been enjoying daily turnout and has buddied up with another mare in the program. They both have benefited immensely from having a companion. In the stall Tracy is well mannered, however she does prefer is you work slowly around her. She tends to get a little anxious while you tack her up but she settles once you get her into the arena. Tracy is not quite ready to stand patiently at the mounting block just yet, she relaxes more with each ride and is settling into a quieter atmosphere.

Tracy is a forward ride, with comfortable  ground covering gaits. She will make an excellent partner for an intermediate rider that will understand her desire to “go” at this time and will be patient as she continues to transition into life as a riding horse. Tracy will be suitable for flatwork and low level jumping. She is also available for the Pony Club Challenge and is recommend for a C-2 and above.

View Tracy Island on New Vocations.

Photo via New Vocations.

Issheit (Crimson Classic – Tidesinn, by Tricky Creek): 2008 16.1-hand Kentucky bred mare

“Sheila” is an elegant, leggy mare with a big heart. She has earned herself war horse status after a total of 73 lifetime starts! Sheila earned over $250,000 during her seven-year career and is ready to step into her new life as a riding horse. She is friendly, willing and likes to work!

Sheila has been enjoying regular turn out with a buddy. She is currently partnered up with a gelding and is getting along great. When they tried turning her out with another mare she was a bit too dominant.

Sheila has steady gaits and is brave in new atmospheres. She has worked happily inside and out and really enjoys hacking out. Sheila has a surprisingly soft mouth for the length of time she’s spent in race training. She is learning to relax through her top line more with every ride. Sheila has a ground covering canter stride and steadies easily in her downward transitions. She has also been started over small fences and was eager to please. Overall Sheila is a pleasure to work with and she enjoys having a job! She is suitable for most disciplines including dressage and low level jumping with an intermediate rider.

View Issheit on New Vocations.