Our first rated dressage show was a great success! Right out the gate we got a Bronze Medal score in our 1-1 test; I was so shocked! Fin continued the weekend on a roll earning some great T3 scores and another solid attempt at 1-1. She had never been to Tryon before, but you never would have known. She acts like such the old pro and was amazing yesterday in the pouring rain! We couldn’t do it without the amazing support from @katherineabrams! Also the HHEC gang was so welcoming and fun - as someone who’s always had her horses at home I’m so happy to finally have a little barn family! I’m so extremely thankful for Fin and am so excited to be living out my little girl dreams with her. 🦈🔥❤️ #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage #dressage #dressagehorse #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject
How it started ➡️ how it’s going. There’s about a year and a half plus a lot of time, work, and adventures between these two pictures. It’s easy for me to feel like we’ve made no progress, but these two pictures are night and day! It has been a wild experience realizing that I now have a pretty trained horse and it has been hard to shift my mindset from baby horse to adult horse. @katherineabrams and I have a conversation about it almost every lesson. 😂 I’m so proud of Fin, she’s picking up new things in this year’s boot camp like a sponge. She’s a month in with a month to go. I can’t wait to see what else we learn together 🦈🔥❤️ #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage #dressage #dressagehorse #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject
Ranch photos! 📸 Premium Image Photography #ranch #ranchriding #ottb #tb #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeover23 #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbredincentiveprogram #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #thoroughbredsdoitbetter #thoroughbreds #lookinghot🔥 #lookinghot #tamale #tamalethetb
Something very cool happened yesterday; my best friend and Fin’s auntie @meglacy94 came to see Fin in an official capacity on rotation with our vet for spring shots! I’m so proud of her for following her dreams and can’t believe she graduates in a few months! The world is lucky to be gaining her as a vet, even though Fin thinks she should keep more treats in her pockets. 😉 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage #dressage #dressagehorse
Happy birthday to my SIX year old girl! Time is going so fast, I can’t believe she’s six already. Five was a great year for us filled with learning and adventures. In the past two months, I’ve noticed Fin gain a certain maturity about her. She’s really starting to enjoy the work too, and each ride is full of happy little snorts. It’s so rewarding to watch her grow up. I can’t wait to see what six brings us! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage #dressage #dressagehorse
someone might be a treat monster now. Tamale is loving @zeroproofhorsetreats ! You can use my code: JVK10 for 10% off. You'll support a small business and help tamale get all her favorite treats! #horse #horsesofinsta #horsesofinstagram #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #thoroughbredincentiveprogram #thoroughbredsdoitbetter #thoroughbreds #ottb #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorseproject2023 #tbmakeovergraduate #tbmakeovergrad
Our grass “arena” is totally mud. Our new saddle is off for a seat replacement. There’s a lot of reasons I could use right now to not ride…BUT, we have goals to reach. I’m thankful for all the many well draining hills our farm has, I’m thankful to borrow @sarahczspots bareback pad, and most of all I’m thankful for the best little horse who is always up for anything. So while conditions are less than ideal, we will be over here chipping the wood and getting stronger. Plus, it was so so so fun to canter bareback today! I giggled and felt like a 10 year old girl again and that’s what it’s all about. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage #dressage #dressagehorse
Let it snow! ❄️ 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage #dressage #dressagehorse
Fin and I had a heck of a start to 2024 with another @teamtatedressage clinic! We spent a lot of time working on our canter; it is soooo close to being reliably good and of course got some great advice from JJ on how to keep trucking in the right direction. Thanks to @katherineabrams for bringing such a wonderful opportunity to our back yard! We also got to meet our friend @indremalaiskaite in real life and she was kind enough to film for us! Swipe to see a one handed canter so I could save the falling headset. 😂 So proud of Fin and can’t wait to see what 2024 holds! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Some TIP Champ pics to round out 2023! We had a lot of fun this year and I’m looking forward to the adventures to come in 2024. Wishing a happy, healthy, and safe New Year to all our friends! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
‘Tis the season to get creative! We had some much needed rain this past weekend, but it turned my good “flat” riding spot into a slip and slide. We had a nice ride today, though, on the top of one of our hills that has some good grippy grass footing still. We always work on an uneven surface at home, but it’s greatly exaggerated on the side of a hill! I could really feel Fin using her whole body today, so it was a shorter ride. I foresee much more of this type of riding ahead for us this winter, but I think it will be so great to build Fin’s strength for the higher level work we’re getting into! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
#goriding Gram of the day from @ssquaredeventing Use #goriding on your posts for a chance to be shared on our page! ••••••• More detailed post coming later once we’re home, but look what just happened!! Thanks Jamie Collins for being the best teammate ever!! #fgfsleepingempire #rrp2023 #tbmakeovergraduate #winner #teamssquared #jurassiceventing
Thankful, grateful, lucky are all words I think of when I think about Fin. We just got back from our girls trip to KY and had the best time. We had some stellar rides with much improvement and maturity from last year, and while we didn’t come out on top of a huge class with 40 horses, I feel like I’ve won it all! Fin is just such a cool girl; who else could hack to the Rolex arena alone while semis are coming in and out to set up a concert, rock a western halter class, and lay down two solid dressage tests all without batting an eye? I could gush about her forever, but I thank my lucky stars everyday that she’s mine! I also had a great time volunteering, sharing a tack stall and hanging out with @lureofthesouth_ottb, meeting @nlddressage in real life and watching her and Sterling rock the RRP dressage, and going to meet Fin’s dad at @spendthriftfarm. Always a blast in KY and can’t wait to be back next year! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
More detailed post coming later once we’re home, but look what just happened!! Thanks Jamie Collins for being the best teammate ever!! #fgfsleepingempire #rrp2023 #tbmakeovergraduate #winner #teamssquared #jurassiceventing
Two years with the best girl in the world! Watching Fin grow and mature this year has been so rewarding. We went to RRP, TIP Champs, a clinic with one of my idols, bootcamp with Katherine, several schooling shows, and her trailer loading skills are now 10/10. We head back to TIP next week, and when I think back of the horse I had last year vs this year, it’s clear to me all the improvement we’ve made. I couldn’t be more proud of her and am so excited to see where we are a year from now. I love this girl, and every day is a treat with her! Definitely the best internet purchase I’ve ever made! 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
I didn’t sleep at all last night and felt crazy for half the day due to some sinus meds I took last night, but I started feeling human enough again this afternoon to get in a ride! We are so, so, so close to having a big girl center transition. I can just feel it! I’d love to have it installed before TIP and I think we can get there! Swipe to see Fin’s entourage. 😎 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
This past weekend we went to our 3rd schooling show of the season! While our scores didn’t reflect all the progress we’ve made, I’m so proud of how Fin felt and looked. She is so willing and calm and really just tries her little heart out. Watching our videos from the show before this one, I am on a totally different horse. Not only have her under saddle skills increased so much, she has also turned into such a good little citizen. I think a lot of this is due to @sarahczspots encouraging me to have stronger expectations of her behavior and the amazing influence of her golden boy, Joey, on Fin. We head to KY in a few weeks for TIP Champs and I feel like we’re close to being in a good place for that. My hopes are we can work on having more energy (who doesn’t need that?) and better canter transitions before we leave. Regardless, I am proud of the little horse she’s becoming! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Yesterday I realized that I take Fin’s unflappable nature for granted. We’ve just started schooling some shoulder-in and I wanted some mirrors to make sure we’re doing it correctly. Fin has seen mirrors countless times but the mirrors I put in our riding field scared the life out of her. I’ve never seen her react that way. It took an hour and a half to get her into the field and that was with the mirrors turned around. Today, she walked into the field with more confidence and after accidentally tapping one with her hoof and cracking it into 3 new mirrors, I was able to turn them all around and it’s no big deal now. I had to laugh at the whole situation, and I’m glad Mirrorgate is behind us. Onto some shoulder-in practice now! 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
I was having some negative self talk this afternoon about how Fin and I haven’t really gotten a lot done in the past month. I took a minute to look back at some of my previous posts and realized how wrong I was; I think it’s important to reflect when you feel this way. We have certainly established a respectful relationship within the past month; there will be brief moments where she tries to test it, but a gentle reminder is all she needs now. She’s cantering pretty consistently now and is even doing a good job at learning to canter straight when not on a circle. She’s loading into the trailer like an old pro, a month ago I would spend literal hours trying to load her to go somewhere, now we can do it in 5 minutes. AND, her feet are looking so great. I’m so thankful for this good girl every single day and love the relationship we are building. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
It has been a WEEK with Fin! We started off with a wonderful lesson with @katherineabrams and then spent the rest of the week working on her cantering and general ground behavior. Her canter greatly benefited from some lunge work that we did this week and I’m very proud of her for that, but I’m most proud of how she behaved today. We led away from her boys without any drama, she fell asleep while I tacked her up, and we had a great ride. This was almost impossible to do Tuesday and Wednesday. I’ve been very consistent with my behavior expectations of her this week and I know it’s been as challenging for her as it’s been for me! 😂 I’m so proud of her though and am relieved to be making progress in this area. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Real talk: even though she is the sweetest, smartest girl, Fin is a very impatient horse when she doesn’t want to do something. I’ve always struggled with not setting great boundaries with my horses, but I have learned recently it really is for the best for everyone’s sake. Fin is so good under saddle and in new places, but if she doesn’t want to do something (tie quietly, load on the trailer) she gets ridiculous. With encouragement from our friends, I have really started to focus on her ground manners. It’s been a challenge for me, but I’m starting to notice small differences. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is Fin’s patience apparently, but I’m confident we will get there. Pics during and after todays 30 minute tantrum of being tied. 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Fin and I had an excellent time this weekend at another schooling show! This was the first time she’s been out since her bootcamp and she sure has improved! We placed first in T2 in a class of 3 with 65.9% and got a 59.8% in T3 due to a very silly error on my part. She handled herself with such maturity on the show grounds and while still a little distracted, felt very steady in the ring. We are both very thankful to have @sarahczspots and Joey to hang out with, and I am especially thankful for Joey’s calming influence on his girlfriend Fin. Can’t wait to do it again! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Fin had her first visit today to our new farrier team at Virginia Tech! I am so, so happy and relieved with how it went. Her feet have been a challenge but we were met with nothing but positivity. I’m so optimistic about this new journey with her and am thankful for some folks who believe in her! Huge shout out to @meglacy94 for coming with us and being the best emotional support and reassuring me all the positive things they said were true! 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Fin is a VERY sensitive girl and I am always thankful I don’t have to guess how she feels about something. With her using so many new muscles and getting stronger, we have had our share of days off lately. I would much rather have too many days off than push an issue, though. Since our amazing lesson Sunday, she has been getting lots of massages, stretches, and liniment. Yesterday she seemed to be feeling much improved and today we had a very short lunge session. She was so happy to stretch on the line at the end, too! ☺️ 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
I’m so glad that Fin learned how to lunge (with voice commands!) during her bootcamp! I have been trying to make sure the majority of our work right now are lunge days. I can see it helping her gain strength, especially when we use the Equiband, which is what we need right now. Yesterday, we practiced a lot of walk/trot transitions. Can you tell how excited she was for it to be over? 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Fin and I had the amazing opportunity to ride with @teamtatedressage last weekend - one last big hoorah before she came home from bootcamp! I learned so much over the course of the day and am still trying to process it all. I have admired JJ for a long time and it was such a surreal treat to get to ride with her! Huge thanks to @katherineabrams for the opportunity and for organizing a great day! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
The past month has been nothing short of amazing. Fin went to @katherineabrams for a little dressage boot camp. Honestly, I kept my expectations low of what Fin would accomplish and then was absolutely blown away by everything she learned. She learned how to lunge on voice cues in one session, has a 1000x better understanding of being consistent in the contact, is cantering in both directions so much better, has started on some lateral work, and is looking like a million bucks. I had 4 wonderful lessons while she was there and and ended with a JJ Tate clinic (more on that later). Watching her grasp things so quickly was really an amazing experience. The first time I went to watch her after being there for a few days, I knew I would be coming home with a different horse. I’m so proud of her, it’s unreal. She’s mainly resting this week and has been reasserting herself as queen of the farm. I cannot thank @katherineabrams and @jaynaldressage enough for taking such great care of my girl and teaching her so much! With these wonderful and encouraging trainers behind us who believe in us, I am so excited for what all we will go on to accomplish together. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Thank the heavens for glow ups! These pictures were taken one year apart. It’s easy when looking at Fin every day to not notice much of a difference, but this really puts things into perspective. It’ll be fun to see what she looks like a year from now! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
You’re looking at a girl who picked up her left lead canter THREE times in a row on a 20m circle! It’s not much, but it’s honest work! We’ve struggled with this left lead since day 1, but her progress the past week has been outstanding! Proud of this little queen. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
We went to our first show of the season this past Saturday down in NC to try our hand at T2 and T3. I’m really thrilled with how Fin did considering she’s been mostly feral since October and is just starting to come back into work. Our tests were respectable and I know what we need to work on, but what I’m happiest about is how calm and mature she was. A year ago, I would not have recognized the girl I had with me this weekend and I’m so proud of how far she’s come. She also really loved being with @sarahczspots Joey and I think he’s her new best friend. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
Swipe to see Fin’s face when she realizes @katherineabrams is on the other end of the PIVO coming up with tons of work for her! We had a great virtual lesson today! Fin is really starting to figure this dressage thing out and I feel so proud watching her learn! She’s just such a good girl…even if she does put on a stink face every now and again. 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse #thoroughbreddressage
I’m letting her secret out: Fin is a FUNKY girl! Last spring, she went bald all over her neck and shoulders. This year, I have been extremely vigilant about keeping her dry and clean, but it looks like balding season is back, anyway. 😑 It doesn’t look or act like a rain rot or other skin fungus/infection so hopefully it will resolve soon. Fingers crossed she doesn’t end up looking as sad as she did last year! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
Fin seems to really thrive with time off. She had the last week off due to crappy footing and when I got on today it was like everything from the week before had sunk in. I wanted to end the ride with a hack on the farm because it’s so beautiful here (although scary that it’s 74° in FEBRUARY). She was not happy about letting the boys out of her sight, but we worked through it and made it to the top of the farm to enjoy the view! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
Yesterday we had a really invigorating lesson with @katherineabrams and continued with our momentum today at home. I’m really starting to feel like I can get her to move out and maintain a bit of consistency in her tempo. Of course, it’s much easier to do in an arena as our space at home is small, but to get us amped up for it at home I told Fin we had to ride like I had stolen her! She’s really starting to accept the contact nicely in the trot and it’s amazing how much easier getting a nice canter is if we aren’t just plodding along. Swipe to see her feelings about our farm manager, Party Hat the Farm Cat, being in her space. 😂 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
Happy birthday to my FIVE year old girl! I can’t believe she’s five. I looked back on my post from last year and she had only had 15 rides at this point. It’s easy to think we’re falling behind in these doldrums of winter, but my goodness we did so many awesome things together over the past year. I’m thankful for this girl everyday and I can’t wait to see how she grows this next year. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
It’s raining here…again. I was hoping to get a quick ride in yesterday, but the ground in my grass “arena” was just too slick for my to feel comfortable. Instead, I pivoted my plan and we did some ground driving. The goals were to maintain consistent contact through walk/halt transitions and keep momentum when she was walking. Keeping her moving was a bit of a struggle, but she did well otherwise! Hopefully it’ll be nice enough to ride before long. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
First ride of 2023! Fin has been out for 7 weeks due to an abscess and general crummy weather. She’s been given the all clear and it felt so great to hop on for a quick ride today. I’m looking forward to all we’ll get into this year. 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
Fin tells me the hot new trend for 2023 is having an alfalfa stained face! 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
Fin is a lucky girl to reap the rewards of Auntie Meg’s vet school training! It was her first time having acupuncture and I think she was worried it would release all the spite she holds in her body. She seemed to feel the qi the most with the “calming” point in her forehead. Her right shoulder muscle (recent abscess) was so tight that it bent the needle. It was wild to see! Hopefully we can talk Auntie Meg into more future pampering. 👀 🦈🔥❤️ #tbmakeover #rrp2022 #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #roadtokentucky #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #retiredracehorseproject #retiredracehorse
What can training do for your horse? A lot. Here’s a small before & after comparison of Armonico! The first two videos are from today. The last two videos are from February of this year. I knew from the start that Armonico was going to be a really cool horse, but I think most people would have passed him up if they saw him trotting around like a dragon/giraffe! He was very unbalanced, hot, sensitive, anxious, & unsure. A little bit of a diamond in the rough in terms of his training at that point. After having most of the winter & spring off, he finally went into consistent work in July. Each ride we made progress. The most important thing was patience. I didn’t try to tie his head down, I didn’t bit up, I didn’t pull him into his chest. I just gave him some new lateral tools, strength from trail riding, & a soft and forgiving hand. He now follows contact down to the ground, bends through his rib cage & responds laterally, has downward transitions (for the most part hehe), & is COMFORTABLE! No anxiety or rushing. Armonico was a very much a “trust the process” type of ride. Patience and consistency goes a really long way.
Mitchell looking his usual handsome self. He had a great FL season running around a few more prelims. #ottb #tbmakeovergraduate #sponsors @nitmoilabs @kingsleighequine @equipurina @equilibriabodywork @struck.official @brunodelgrange_northamerica @samshieldamerica @hitair_equestriancanada @tipperary_equestrian @justinargentsfarrierservice @revitavetofficial @ Kim Anaston
#SharpDecision aka Sharpie was fantastic at Fox Lea Farms in Venice, Fl. We had an amazing opportunity to practice show jumping for two days. I know I always say this but I’m so proud of this horse and how far he has come. Its taken me a while to get him to feel in confident in showjump and i also figured out how he likes me to ride him. It’s crazy to think 4 years ago he was at the RRP makeover and now he is heading to the Maryland 3⭐️Long next week with hopes of moving up to Advanced next spring. Such a class horse that tries his ❤️ out every time. Feeling ready 💪 Big thanks to my dad for the help this week :) #MyfavoriteSharpie #Warhorsesareworthit #ottbofinstagram #tbmakeovergraduate #hardworkpaysoff #feelingreadyformaryland
Here is one of my frens that I sometimes have to herd. He is also by big brother from another mother...and has good hair genes too. #shiny #herdingdog #oldenglishsheepdog #ottb #sheepie #sheepdog #herdingdogsofinstagram #thoroughbred #tbmakeovergraduate #vetrolinshine #smartpak
I love that Parker is enjoying his riding lessons, it is fun to have my little man at the barn! I am so grateful for Eddie, he is such a great horse for Parker to learn on! 🧡🦄 #ottb #tbmakeovergraduate
A couple weeks of rest post-makeover, and Hemi didn't miss a beat! His flat work is even better, he is maintaining better connection and impulsion while working on his stretchy trot! Stretchy trot was his lowest score on his dressage test at the makeover (5), and has been a difficult thing for this lanky 5 year old to figure out! Still lots of room for improvement, but I love getting on my Thoroughbreds after some time off and somehow they are even better then I left them!! As many have said, the TB Makeover is only the beginning - I can't wait to see where this one goes! 😍 Thanks for the video @alexanykilchuk . . . #hemminandhawin #merakiequestrian #tbmakeover2019 #tbmakeover #rrp #RRP2019 #retiredracehorseproject #tbmakeovergraduate #futureshowjumper #hunterjumper #handsomedevil #ottb #ottblove #ottbsofinstagram #dapplegrey #ottbsdoitbetter #thoroughbredsofinstagram #sportofkingstokingsofsport #thoroughbred #retrainingofracehorses
8th Overall.. Top 3 Amateurs & in the top 5 fastest times for both preliminary rounds🏆🐎 • PROUD is an understatement for sure... Am I allowed to brag about my baby deer?💜😝 • Congrats to all the TB Makeover competitors and to my fellow barrels racers for the FIERCEST group of riders to date!🙌🏼 #horsemanshipgotustwisted #thoroughbredmakeover2019 #tbmakeovergraduate #wayhot #barrelraceronabudget #mamawemadeit #playedwiththebigkids
SOLD! Congratulations to the new owners of Mountain Music Man. We’re proud to say that he found the perfect family to join! #ottbsofinstagram #ottb #tbmakeovergrad #tbmakeovergraduate #ottbforsale #warhorse #soldbycavalletticroft
I think she looks good in a dressage ring 🤩 - - - #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #maresofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #retiredracehorse #rrp #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #eventhorse #dressage #showjumping #baymare #rescue #TenPurses
Paige (13) and Alec (5) #tbmakeovergraduate #bestboy #watchoutnow
Howie got a BIG TREAT 🥕🥕 for being a BIG BOY 🏆this weekend @stableviewaiken #ottb #TBMakeoverGrad #tbmakeovergraduate #usea
I've been kind of quiet for a while while we've been slowly getting this guy back into a program but I'm happy to report he is back and better than ever!!! Here's a clip from our clinic today with @sallycousinseventing where we did a vertical to a chevron on the end (something he's never done before) #fieldtripfriday #tbmakeovergraduate #ottb
Throwback to Mill Creek! She’s been taking it easy for the last few weeks and I’m ready to start riding her again. We’re going to have a chill summer so I can start my 3yo and ride the rest of the ponies. Super ready to ride all summer! - - - #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #maresofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #retiredracehorse #rrp #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #eventhorse #dressage #showjumping #baymare #rescue #TenPurses
The hay is always better from the outside. She definitely had hay in her stall 🤨😂 - - - #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #maresofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #retiredracehorse #rrp #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #eventhorse #dressage #showjumping #baymare #rescue #funnyhorses #TenPurses
Took @robins_revenge out for a spin today in the Schooling Hunters at Glenayre and we got a second, third, two fourths. Not too shabby since I haven't ridden him in months or shown him in over a year! Aaaand I decided last minute at 8:30 the night before I was going to show him lol. Thanks @horsebug2005 for sharing your pony with me! #retiredracehorseproject #tbmakeovergraduate #makeovergradsarethebest
Stressage has now turned into Dressage for Olivia. She threw down her most consistent test to date today and I’m so happy with her progress! - - - #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #maresofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #retiredracehorse #rrp #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #eventhorse #dressage #showjumping #baymare #rescue #TenPurses
Christina and @robins_revenge #tbmakeovergraduate
Olivia put in some awesome rounds today at our schooling show. Such an improvement from Texas Rose and from the last jumper show. We ended up 1st place in all 3 of our 0.9m classes, division champion, and won the TIP award for all horses .75m and up. - - - HUGE THANKS to @js_training . She has helped me so much and Olivia and I are really becoming a much better team because of her. - - - #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #maresofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #retiredracehorse #rrp #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #eventhorse #dressage #showjumping #baymare #rescue #TenPurses
Happy Belated 6th Birthday, Howie got to celebrate with eating THE BIGGEST SWEET POTATO EVER! 😂🍠❤️ #sweetpotatoes #ottb #myhorseeatsanything #meatball #tbmakeovergraduate
Happy Bday to this little man. I look forward to getting back to work today after the abcess from hell took us out for 3 weeks! #abcessfromhell #gladitsover #timetowork #stircrazy #usea #tbmakeovergraduate #teamhellas thanks @sapphirefarm32 for amazing pic as usual.
Amazing evening lesson tonight with @js_training . Two awesome lessons in a row has me pumped for our first novice this weekend. Stretchy trot used to be nonexistent on Olivia. There has been so much progress! Even got to play with a little bit of lengthening at the trot tonight. - - #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #ottbsofinstagram #maresofinstagram #eventersofinstagram #rrp #retiredracehorse #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #eventhorse #dressage #showjumping #baymare #rescue #TenPurses
Dreaming of warm weather and show season 😍❤️💛 #LCSleepy #tbmakeovergraduate #fancyprancy #byebyehunters #helloeventing #hellodressage #summer #warhorse
Love this big guy. #rideacat #ottb #rrp #tbmakeovergraduate #fingerlakesfinest
Best big red Cat! First time hopping over the 3'6! #tbmakeovergraduate #rrp #ottb #fingerlakesfinest #rideacat
My favorite group of people 😍🦄 #unicornpark #unicornhorses #unicornpeople #unicorntrainingclub #rrp #tbmakeover #tbmakeovergraduate #daringdestiny #flatleaver #justplanpartners #solinabambolina #princessalisha #thatwasalotoftags
My favorite boy #OTTB #tbmakeovergraduate #turningforhomehorses #maximusmeridius
GRIT is sticking with your future day in, day out & not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. 💪🏼 #grit #getsome #determinedface #tt #equine #equestrian #eventing #tbmakeovergraduate #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #ottb #retiredracehorse #recycledracehorse
Love this guy! 😍🦄❤️ #delucaottb #ottblove #tbmakeovergraduate #butcherrrp #ottblove #ottbsofinstagram
Little Finn got to take a break from dressage boot camp to pop over some fences for the first time since the makeover in October! We lucked out with lovely spring like weather today here in Kentucky before the next round of rain! ☁️ #gotchagift #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #kentucky #wintertraining #footwork #equine #equestrian #eventing #tbmakeovergraduate
I think I’m pretty lucky to have him❤️ #incremental #flatter #dressage #ottb #tbmakeovergraduate
Great last ride of 2018! Ready to grind through the winter with this one to be ready to take on the 2019 season! 💪🏼❄️ #bye2018 #hello2019 #newyearseve #grindandshine #equine #equestrian #eventing #indoorarenaforthewin #ottb #thoroughbredsofinstagram #thoroughbred #wintertraining #rrhp #tbmakeovergraduate #gotchagift
I love having an ottb with good weight going into winter! Now to work on our top line and booty muscle during the winter! ❄️ #gotchagift #watchout #whodat #shinycoat #equine #equestrian #thoroughbred #thoroughbredsofinstagram #tbmakeovergraduate #ottb #rrhp #wintertraining