Every body is an equestrian body, which is why August is focusing on size inclusivity on YourDressage. As we share the stories, struggles, and triumphs of plus-size equestrians from across the country, our friends at Horse Dazzle and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel have graciously partnered with us to sponsor a #DressageForEveryBody2026 giveaway for three lucky readers!
By Katie Tarasevich
After enduring a two-and-a-half-year recovery from a severe spiral ankle fracture – which required three separate surgeries – my ultimate goal was to get back in the saddle and compete in the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. Because the long recovery shook my confidence a bit, I was searching for a seasoned, “been-there-done-that” Thoroughbred who could handle a variety of disciplines. I love showing, but I also enjoy endurance rides and horse camping. So, I needed a versatile partner who takes everything new completely in stride.
Having previously adopted a Standardbred from New Vocations, I reached out to them to help me find the right off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB). After a few close matches fell through due to Makeover ineligibility, I was worried I wouldn’t find the right one in time.
Then came the call: “I found your perfect match, but there’s a catch!” The catch? I had to wait until he finished attending his own retirement ceremony at Saratoga Race Course! That was the moment I knew Drafted was the one. He was a world traveler – coincidentally, having raced in Dubai and England, two places I had also visited. On top of that, he had hardware in his right leg from a past injury, matching my own ankle hardware. Even as an older horse retiring from the track, his extensive life experience made him the calm, unshakeable partner I needed.
In August 2023, we traveled to New York to attend Drafted’s official retirement ceremony, a rare and special tribute to his racing career. Seeing everyone from his racing career come together to say goodbye was so special. Standing there as he took his final walk on the racetrack was a total emotional moment. It marked both the end of an amazing racing career and the official start of our life together.
Transitioning him into his second career was effortless. His very first ride was actually with my novice husband on a cancer awareness trail ride! Although I was still recovering in an ankle boot for a few more months, I wanted him to gain experience. By his fourth ride, Drafted was camping on the beaches of Assateague Island alongside wild ponies! His greatest asset is his unwavering bravery and calm demeanor when faced with anything new. He is game for literally anything!
Consequently, in December 2023, I entered our first endurance competition together – an intro ride spanning fifteen miles. He took the camping, the vast environment, the electric atmosphere of the race, and the unfamiliar sights entirely in stride.
In January 2024, I brought Drafted to his first local dressage show. Despite the 20-degree temperature, biting wind, and frozen ground, we went ahead because I trusted his steady temperament. I certainly wouldn’t risk taking most fresh OTTBs to a show in those conditions! We braved the elements and successfully completed our very first dressage test.
When I first got him off the track, I was informed he had some mouth issues and was being ridden in a leather bit. After we started dressage lessons with a trainer, I noticed he consistently struggled to connect with the bit. We pursued every avenue – X-rays, chiropractors, bodywork, and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy – yet nobody could find an obvious issue, though it was clear something was bothering him in his TMJ (temporomandibular joint; where the jaw meets the skull).
Thus began my search for a bit that was both comfortable for him and legal for dressage. While he goes wonderfully bitless, that option isn’t permitted in the dressage arena just yet, which is why we happily stayed with Introductory Level tests for the next few years until I could get him more comfortable.
In his first year off the track, we competed heavily in dressage, endurance, and trail obstacles. For the 2024 Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) National Awards, Drafted earned Reserve Champion Green OTTB II Dressage, Reserve Champion Intro East Dressage Division, and Champion Endurance in the “Other” category. He was also named Reserve Champion in the Intro Division at a local dressage show series, alongside competing at a few rated shows. Whenever we attend the T.I.P. end-of-year championships, no one has been able to beat him for the “Most Money Earned” Award ($1,171,593)! The list of his accomplishments in his second career goes on, and he is truly a horse that thrives on getting the job done.
My greatest accomplishment with Drafted is being honored with the 2025 Bill Kraatz Thoroughbred Makeover Ambassador Award and returning to the equestrian show realm after taking time off to recover from my injury.
Partnering with him has changed my entire perspective on OTTBs, both in and out of the saddle. I used to think I’d only ever take on a young OTTB, around four to six years old. I never expected to get a ten-year-old. But this older war horse has shown me he still has plenty left to give. He taught me that breaking the mold can lead to incredible results.
Moving forward, our goal is to either compete at Training Level this year or transition entirely to Western dressage in a bosal!
My dad always taught me never to take “no” for an answer – there is always another path forward. In an equestrian world where body image standards and negativity can weigh heavily on your confidence, I remind myself that the only person who can truly hold me back is me.
Riding an off-the-track Thoroughbred in endurance and dressage comes with endless comments about what these horses “can’t” do. Every time we cross a finish line or complete a test, Drafted and I prove them wrong. We are rewriting the OTTB stereotype. My advice to anyone who feels like they don’t belong in this sport is to turn that negativity into fuel.
Drafted went from an older war horse with past injuries and quirks to a national ambassador competing across multiple disciplines. And, for the past two and a half years, while fighting through a broken wrist, an ankle injury, major surgeries, and Stage 4 endometriosis, Drafted has been right by my side. What we’ve accomplished together proves one thing: when you build a real partnership, no stereotype can stand in your way.
