Photos courtesy fo Kate Samuels.
The 2018 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover is fast approaching and the Nation Media team is extra excited this year because a few of our own will be competing with their project ponies. Horse Nation and Jumper Nation’s Meagan DeLisle will be competing with Flashback Justice in field hunters and competitive trail, while EN’s own Kate Samuels will be competing with Turkomani (Jockey Club name) AKA Felix Felicis (USEA name) AKA Turkey (barn name) in eventing and show jumping.
Kate obtained Turkey from Big Lick Racing Retirement one year ago this month and has been dutifully and carefully bringing him along since. Not only has his physique changed, but he’s also learned the ropes of his new job and gone from this:
Turkey is back and feelin' fresh after his holiday vacation! He got some chiropractic work from the incredible Dr Rob Goldsmith for his neck and lower back, and he's really limber now. He's still working out how this whole "jumping" thing goes….but he doesn't like to make mistakes! Sometimes training young horses is just funny 🤣
Posted by Kate Samuels Equestrian on Thursday, January 11, 2018
To this:
Photo courtesy of Kate Samuels.
No scope, no hope, right?
Thinking about an OTTB of your own? Here are our three weekly picks:
Sidney’s Uncle (SIDNEY’S CANDY – HIGHTSHIFT, BY ST. JOVITE): 2016 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
If you’re looking for a real young one to bring along and make you’re own, then Uncle Sidney could be for you! This two-year-old is unraced and showing no promise in training and thus he’s on the market to non-racing buyers. His handlers say he’s currently just a super goofy, overgrown toddler who, like most young horses, doesn’t quite know where all his limbs are at any given time yet. If you give him some time to grow and mature before restarting him, Uncle Sidney could handsomely reward you by growing into the horse of your dreams.
View Uncle Sidney on CANTER Illinois.
Artitude. Photo via CANTER MN.
Artitude (ARTIE SCHILLER – POWDER ROCK, BY ROCK HARD TEN): 2015 15.3-hand Kentucky-bred filly
This three-year-old filly just hasn’t been able to break her maiden in nice starts, but with some maturing and a career change she’s got some great potential. This lovely lady not only has a nice uphill build, but she has completely clean legs and feet and is said to have always been sound. Artitude is nicely bred with El Prado and Rock Hard Ten as grandsires.
View Artitude on CANTER Minnesota.
Under and Over. Photo via CANTER Delaware.
Under and Over (TRAPPE SHOT – UNDERSTATED, BY FIRST SAMURAI): 2015 15.3-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
This sweet guy looks like a total tank — check out that shoulder in particular! He’s one of his exercise rider’s absolute favorites to ride, and he has nothing but good things to say about this horse. Classy, sensible, and easy are just a few words used to describe this solid citizen, but you’ve really got to head to his CANTER page and read his rider’s full glowing testimonial. Oh, and not to mention he was a pretty decent racehorse earning over $90,000 in 32 starts!
