My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
What job would your horse have if she were human? Zelda would be a supervisor. No matter what you are doing — picking up manure, washing the water tank, fixing a fence — she is right there, staring over your shoulder, making sure you are doing it “right.” Curly could care less what the humans […]
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After coming in second to Tiz the Bomb in the Jack Ruby, Tawny Port mustered a late but strong bid, coming off the far turn into the final stretch four wide to a win in the $400K Stonestreet Lexington Stakes on Saturday — the final race in the Road to the Derby prep races. It […]
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Robins are one of the sure signs of spring. I’ve been admiring them when I feed Zelda as there are usually a few sitting on the paddock fence. But tonight, there were 18 robins and counting, hanging out on the grass and searching for food. During the warmer months, robins are very territorial, but in […]
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The last set of prep races for the Kentucky Derby held a few surprises — both good and bad — which will help shape the final field for the big race. Santa Anita Derby In less than two minutes on Saturday, Taiba (Tay-bah) went from a debut maiden sprint winner with zero Kentucky Derby (G1) […]
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Noble Yeats was not considered a serious contender in the 2022 Grand National. The seven year old was considered too young and too inexperienced (the last time a horse this young won the Grand National was in 1940!). But the Grand National is nothing but unpredictable. Two of the favorites failed to finish. Last year’s […]
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Rachael Blackmore is an Irish jockey who, in 2021, became the first female rider to win the Grand National (in the 182-year history of the race) on Minella Times. In 2022, she followed that up by becoming the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. As we approach the 2022 Grand National, Rachael’s mother, […]
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Most of the time, Zelda is a perfect model of the noble steed. Her coat is gleaming, her expression is bright, her ears are pricked forward. But Zelda also has a goofy side. Usually after a ride, or when I’m giving her a massage or a laser treatment, she makes the silliest faces. You have […]
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Three important Kentucky Derby qualification races took place yesterday with White Abarrio winning the $1 million Florida Derby, Cyberknife winning the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby and Tiz the Bomb winning the $600,000 Jeff Ruby. Since 1975, the Kentucky Derby field has been limited to 20 starters. For the past eight years, horses wanting to qualify […]
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