Scorup Cabin

Scorup Cabin

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Horse Racing

Two summers ago, I moved to Norwood, CO to intern for BLM.  One of my favorite co-workers, owns a ranch and have a great breeding program.  Her husband, is much like me, and has a hard time saying No to a good deal horse trade ;)  Which means, it didn't take long for me to start hanging around.  Before I knew it I had my own pen of colts to work with.  My pen consisted of a 3 year old running quarter horse gelding, that was too long legged too soon. A 5 year old running quarter horse mare, a 4 year old cutting bred mare, a 3 year old throughbred, that the jockeys swore off, and a 14 year old mare that had been retrained but needed finished.  Along with any untrained ones I wanted to take on...  It was amazing!  I loved every minute of it.  They're full time hand, was somewhat reluctant to let the califonia girl take over any horses...  But we soon came to an agreement, and he got to keep his thoroughbred mounts.  About a month into work, he got fired, well for simply Not riding...  I wasn't even there full time, and I still rode more than he did.  So I got to take over his too... 

My favorite was the lanky sorrel thoroughbred colt the jockeys refused to continue to train.  He had an overbite, didn't know how to graze and was super skinny.  So, we dubbed him Skinny P.  The owner had just finished a totally awesome roundpen, and that was my new home.  It didn't take long before Skinny P fell in love with me.  Everyone was worried, and didn't want me to ride him, because he bucked and was mean.  Not with me though.  I'd gyp him around, and let him love on me, and then get on.  What a ride!  His lope was to die for!  He never once bucked with me.  The quarter horse gelding, was Huge!  About 16.2 at 3, he was going to fill out to be an awesomely amazing horse.  Again, awesome lope.  It literally was like a rocking horse, except he really leaned into his corners.  The 5 year old mare, was snotty.  After she'd figured she'd worked long enough she'd start to crow-hop.  But boy, did I want to buy her!  When I got there she looked like the lanky running horse she was, when I left, she was big enough to pull bulls!  Amazing mare, and Dash for Cash bred.  The cutting mare??  Smallest one of the bunch, never raced, and was my worst ride.  She was super stocky, and short coupled, hence, stopped on a dime.  She was supposedly more broke than the others, the hired hand had told them she was going to make a great barrel horse, and was well on her way to broke. HA!  She threw me into the wall!  Partly my fault, but I did hang on for almost a full turn around the pen.  I was ready for her the next time though.  I got to ride all of these kiddos outside, and race horses get very confused in the mountains. :)   But they did well.

Well this last summer I went back, they were all sold except for the 14 year old and Skinny P.  He had gained weight, spent months at a trainer, and was supposedly starting to rope...  Skinny P didn't need to be a rope horse...   I was so happy to get him back.  I loved this guy, and again, wanted to buy him.  I foolishly expected him to be the horse I had left, except even better!  Bad mistake there.  We rode around in the plowed area that sufficed as an arena, all went well until I loped.  Ole Skinny decided he forgot how that went.  And he broke in two...  Well I cussed at ole skinny, and spurred him, and told him that was Not ok to do with me.  I got him settled down, and was very upset.  What had that silly sowboy done to my horse???  He also did not neck rein a lick, and he was supposedly finished...   Skinny p eventually got traded along with a little wild thing for a newer but used piece of haying equipment. Gosh...   But I did get to mess around with some of the yearlings.  All being groomed for racing the next year.  Have I mentioned I love race horses???  I've always wanted to be a part of the industry.  My time in CO was the closest I may ever get. 

                            This is Buck. Now a 3 year old stud colt, running quite well.  And may be added to the breeding program if he continues to do well.  His 1/2 sister is also running with him, and is actually quicker out of the gate, but doesn't finish as strong.  I loved working with the little ones.... I gave this guy his first bath ;)

In light of the upcoming Kentucky Derby, I thought I'd share with you my time with these race horses.  I told the owner, I would never shy away from a race-broke colt again.  They were so much better to work than most horses I've been around.  It was a lot of fun, and I'm very thankful for the experience.

I don't know how many of you follow racing or are even going to watch the Derby on saturday.  But here are my top 3 picks!


                                                          Nehro - post 19


                                                   Twinspired - post 10


                                                    Mucho Macho Man - post 13


Hope you all get to watch, and hopefully I did ok with my race picks ;)


That's all for now my pretties

XO


Me