Thriving Thoroughbreds – Part One

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Submitted by Agnes A. - JC: Our Secret Event competing at PSG this past August. They have the biggest heart and try.

Salute to the Thoroughbred!  This month on YourDressage, we are saluting the versatile Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred crosses of all kinds.

Dressage riders who choose Thoroughbreds as their mounts are eligible for Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards as The Jockey Club is a Participating Organization.

We recently asked our social media followers to share about what makes these horses so special.  Below, you can see some of their photos and stories.

Do you have a dressage Thoroughbred you’d like to share with the YourDressage community? E-mail us at yourdressage@gmail.com for your chance to be featured! Stay tuned to YourDressage through the end of November as we celebrate #ThrivingThoroughbreds, with photo galleries and exclusive stories from Thoroughbred enthusiasts across the country!

Submitted by Megan S. – Welsh Wizard. 2019 RRP Grad now showing 3rd level.
Submitted by Keena R. – Here’s Max (JC: Texas Kahlua), 27-year-old OTTB showing First Level with Anna Spinnenweber in the irons. Max is a wonderful, sensible professor to all his riders! PC: High Time Photography Wendy Burns Bobbi Roe
Submitted by Jessica P. – JC: Majestic Kitten and I at our 3rd show and riding our first ever dressage test (intro) at a local derby. Kitten has been a racehorse, a pony horse and even tried his hand at polo before coming to me. It’s been a long 2.5 years getting him sorted out but I could not love this horse more.
Submitted by Xaiya E. – My thoroughbred and I are competing in the up coming thoroughbred makeover on dressage and I would love a chance to get featured!
Submitted by Xaiya E. – Her is JC: Allgussiedup and I at our first recognized show where we scored a 71.5%!
Submitted by Karen N. – This is my boy Ken’s Kitten by the amazing Kitten’s Joy (Ramsey Farms). He has had a busy life – racehorse, 3 day eventing, retired racehorse project, and dressage horse. Kitten and I have been a team for 6 years. Working our way up from 2nd/3rd level to schooling Grand Prix. He is always willing to go anywhere with me to a show, clinic or trail ride. His work ethic is truly amazing. He is my heart horse.
Submitted by Cedar P.-W. – From racing to dancing!
Submitted by Cedar P.-W. – Here competing at the 2016 TB Makeover with Majestic Lad. Purchased for the Makeover and became a life long friend
Submitted by Cedar P.-W. – Here competing at the 2016 TB Makeover with Majestic Lad. Purchased for the Makeover and became a life long friend
Submitted by Hanna W. – He’s Born to Run
Submitted by Savannah R. – This is Leo at his first ever USDF Dressage Show. We took home 3rd! He is a spicy and super cuddly boy! Leo is owned by Chelsea Ray who saw this special boy’s potential when he was only 4! Now at 7 he’s competing successfully at training and schooling 1st level.
Submitted by Nicole G. – Here is my TB, Roxi. Although she was race bred, she was never raced nor registered, but still full TB! We were failed eventers now full-time dressage, she is much happier in the dressage world! We just competed in Region 2 championships this weekend at 3rd level and moved up to 4th. We completed our bronze medal this year and will now be working towards our silver in 2022, she is just the best!
Submitted by Kelly R. – Killala Bay (2015) ran his last race August 24 2020. I got him on October 8 2020. First ride October 31 2020. He’s currently showing Intro and Training Level Dressage. His scores are consistently in the 60s. No one can ever believe he is an OTTB and barely a year together. This is my favorite picture after his first dressage show. It shows how much love we have for one another.
Submitted by Kathryn B. – My current OTTB stallion Mighty Score teaching my student Jessi.
Submitted by Samantha S. – Jimmie Echo has an amazing story. He was a successful racehorse until he wasn’t, I bought him and found severe bilateral hind suspensory desmitis. Long story short, he and I evented through Novice, and when I decided to switch to straight dressage, Echo didn’t skip a beat. We made it to Third Level (and my Bronze medal) before hock arthritis caught up to him. He is now very happily a beginner dressage lesson horse with my best friend and is cleaning up at shows! Echo has an enormous heart and work ethic that is second to none. He is my heart horse and I’m so glad to have found a situation for him where he can be happily used at this stage of his soundness/life.
He made me love OTTBs so much that my young FEI prospect is also a Thoroughbred. Love the breed!
Submitted by Kathryn B. – After the unexpected retirement of my U25 GP horse, I made the decision to find a nice OTTB. My mom and I went to KY to look at various horses and settled on Twinkle Star. Despite the somewhat embarrassing name, Twinkle was the sweetest baby stallion and provided me with much joy during my college years. In honor of him and other OTTBs that I’ve had in my life I sponsor and promote the TIP awards within my local GMO.
Submitted by Kathryn B. – My childhood OTTB mare Beckett at the USDF Region 3 finals in Ocala competing in the DSE class.
Submitted by Brenna A. – Never would I have thought I would end up with such a special horse! He was supposed to be my fun little resale project to get my foot in the door.
Submitted by Brenna A. – He quickly became my heart horse that keeps my on my toes with his super goofy personality and exceptional work ethic. Going on to do well again the following year at regionals at 2nd and 3rd and keeping up with the big kids.
Submitted by Brenna A. – To now competing 4th with the goal of going psg next year. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to start my dressage career with.
Submitted by Brenna A. – After our first year together and going and doing extremely well at regionals I couldn’t say goodbye.
Submitted by Jesse W. – Do half’s count? this is my half thoroughbred Willis and we are successfully competing at Intermediate 1 together and will be showing at the U.S. Dressage Finals this year for Small Tour.  
Submitted by Jesse W. – I love his thoroughbred side because as we’ve reached the upper levels, the majority of the tests is the canter tour and this boy can canter forever! He also has naturally amazing changes and a lovely shoulder in his trot
Submitted by Debbie B.- My thoroughbred mare, Tilly. She has been the BEST teacher. I have always owned thoroughbreds. I love their heart and their work ethic most. They give you their best every time. I will always have a thoroughbred for my dressage horse. I just love how they own you by giving their all for you. My heart breed!
Submitted by Danielle D. – My 2010 OTTB has shown through 3rd to help me earn my bronze and schooled through PSG. He now is being the best lesson horse and is teaching the littles to learn to ride while I’m in medical school. He’s my heart horse and has truly done it all 
Submitted by Nancy M. – Phantomssandstorm OTTB 10yrs old
Submitted by Sandi S. – JC: Sho Me Mo (Just Chance) we made our debut this summer at PSG and Chance is 26 years old. He was a school horse I bought for $50 at 21 (bought him because I didn’t want anything bad to happen to him). Never imagined we would be riding a PSG test 5 years later. An incredible trainer and support group kept us going.
Submitted by Lc M. – My dressage partner that’s the best I could ever want. Older picture at Training Level. We’re now doing First Level and enjoying the work together! Wonder Will had a decent race career. When we became partners, dressage was our path. I treasure our connection, and my instructor says Will would do anything for me! Will is a great grandson of Secretariat, which is cool. Love this OTTB forever!
Submitted by Katie P. – Margie Band 2016 TB mare. We are headed to KY for the TB Makeover next week for our Training Level Test.
Acilia V – Head Over Heels (aka “Reggie”)
Acilia V – Head Over Heels (aka “Reggie”)
Submitted by Courtney M. – I have a rescued thoroughbred that I’ve shown Training through 4th Level with an eye on the PSG, and he has an amazing backstory. He was bred to be a racehorse but his dam stepped on him during a messy birth. When he was unable to nurse and developing an infection, his breeder refused to treat him over the cost of antibiotics and was prepared to let him die if he didn’t learn to nurse and improve.
Submitted by Courtney M. – The attending vet contacted friends of mine who run a local equine sanctuary and the breeder agreed to surrender the foal at several days old and very sick. He arrived with a high fever and was hospitalized immediately – his ribs were broken were he was stepped on and he’d developed a bad abscess at the site.
Submitted by Courtney M. -His ribs were surgically repaired and he was hospitalized for several weeks before returning to the sanctuary. He bloomed as a young horse and was eager for a job,So he was started in a dressage orientation well suites to his (surprisingly!) excellent gaits. I took over as his rider and ultimately adopted him when he was 7 and have shown and trained him through the levels with support from Lendon Gray, who I trained with as a YR.
Submitted by Courtney M. -He was the All Breeds Winner at First Level and has had a very successful career to date, and absolutely loves to compete. His name is Gabriel SES and the sanctuary that saved him is SquirrelWood Equine Sanctuary in Montgomery, NY. We would love to share his story as a wonderful example of a rescue given a second chance and an EXTREMELY capable TB!
Submitted by Mykal R. – Call Me Carmello currently training 3rd level dressage. This horse is 17 years old whose career included racing, 3-day eventing, and dressage. He is quirky but has never let me down. We qualified for our bronze medal this year in a torrential downpour. TBs will give you the world if you believe in them.
Submitted by Elizabeth O. – No longer with us, but Bugsy the one eyed wonder pony… he’s inspired a lot of people to do higher levels with their tb’s… so many people … I earned my bronze silver and gold as we went up the levels together .. he suddenly passed overnight on 12/28/20… and very much still missed. He never raced by was the grandson of the great secretariat out of a Castle Magic mare
Submitted by Jacki B. – Burn the Mortgage
Submitted by Jacki B.
Submitted by Jacki B.
Submitted by Kayleen P. – I own and ride a thoroughbred of my own – this is Callie Coco Chanel (Callie). She’s super photogenic, poses for the camera and loves shots!
Submitted by Kayleen P.
Submitted by Kayleen P.
Submitted by Kayleen P.
*Note – USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.
Submitted by Kelsey B. – This is my thoroughbred, Union Cat, he is set to compete this year at the 2020/2021 thoroughbred mega makeover. We will be competing in dressage and Freestyle.
Submitted by Kelsey B.
Submitted by Kelsey B.
Submitted by Kelsey B.
Submitted by Kelsey B. – This is my thoroughbred, Union Cat, he is set to compete this year at the 2020/2021 thoroughbred mega makeover. We will be competing in dressage and Freestyle.
Submitted by Leigh H. – Tizsortalucky
Submitted by Jean A. – 10 YO OTTB. Got Grit (renamed Versailles with barn name Louie) purchased February 2021. He finished racing in December 2020. A true War Horse! Now my new dressage partner after losing my PSG Horse, Logan (we came up the levels together). Louie has big shoes to fill! It’s been a bit of a rough start, but he’s going to be fun!!!
Submitted by Laci F. – “Rumor Has it” aka Montgomery, My 3yo OTTB 🙂
Submitted by Laci F. – He’s proven that he’s a hell of a lot better at dressage than I am, after I made the switch from 10 years riding hunter/jumper…
Submitted by Laci F. – but I’m working on it!
Submitted by @lew.eventing – Here are my two thoroughbreds! This is Draco. Draco has just recovered from 3 months off due to an abscess that covered his whole foot. Hes doing so much better now and is so happy being in work again!
Submitted by @lew.eventing – Here are my two thoroughbreds! This is Draco. Draco has just recovered from 3 months off due to an abscess that covered his whole foot. Hes doing so much better now and is so happy being in work again!
Submitted by @lew.eventing – Here are my two thoroughbreds! This is Four Star General (4star)!
Submitted by @thoroughbredcharmschool – Friend to Me, OTTB Dressage King. Louisiana bred and owned and competed by the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Louisiana Trainer, Morgan Vaughn.
Submitted by Angela T. – Introducing Been Verified, aka, Been! (Sounds like Bean) We train with Kristina Harrison in Los Angeles.
Submitted by @therealmr.brutus – Photo credit: Markley Main, @phorseimages

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