Faeton
Faeton is a 16.1h grey Thoroughbred gelding who, amazingly, retired completely sound after 4 years of Thoroughbred racing at Fingerlakes Track in New York. Faeton began his retraining adventure at the end of 2006, and has been learning the basics of dressage and combined training.
Faeton and I have been trained with Dorothy Maxfield (USDF R Judge) and Judy Pirtle (USDF Gold Medalist) which has been tremendously helpful. We are the recipients of the 2008 Hell's Angel Off Track Thoroughbred Grant in Education by Lisa Rasmuson. This training grant is awarded to an off-track Thoroughbred training in dressage. We are excited to represent retraining off track Thoroughbreds in the sport, and hope to show what wonderful sport partners they make.
2009 proved to be an exceedingly wet year. We were unable to have our arena installed before the rains made it impossible until it dries out completely. We have therefore lost about 6 months of training which we hope to gain this spring, although that is not known to be a dry time of year!
FAETON's RIBBONS
June 6 - SuCaro Ridge Dressage & CT: Intro A - 1st (68.5%), Intro B - 2nd (68.5%), Reserve Champion Intro Level
Sept 5 - SuCaro Ridge Hunter Derby: Cross Rail Grand Champion
FAETON's 2010 SCHEDULE - March 13 - Poplar Place USDF Dressage Show; May 1 - SuCaro Ridge USDF Dressage Show
RACEHORSES ARE WINNERS
Every horse is different, and Faeton is a classic example that racehorse stereotypes aren't always correct. Faeton is very laid back, and completely safe for even beginners. He would rather "stand and watch" than "run or go". Training challenges involve creating impulsion and forward movement, keeping variety and challenge in sessions, and gaining progress while keeping training sessions concise and short. A typical training lesson with Faeton might involve walk figure 8's, trotting up our slopping hill, skipping over a few cross rails, running through some cavaletti, and basic trotting figures - all mixed up for variety. Training increases intelligence, and he is beginning to enjoy the "puzzle" of more challenging dressage work involving schooling figures mixed with lateral work and transitions.
THOROUGHBRED FEET
Thoroughbreds have a reputation for thin walls that have difficulty in holding shoes. Faeton came without shoes and was barefoot for 3 years. His hoof spread a full size larger, his walls thickened, and his hooves strengthened. It took about 6 months to achieve this integrity. A good diet, time out in pasture, and listening to your horse help achieve dramatic improvements in hoof wall integrity.
Forever Silver, Faeton's sire,
Forever Silver is Faeton's sire. He was bred in New York and raced there as well. Winner of over $1 Million at the track, he was a favorite subject of the Eclipse-winning photographer Barbara Livingston.
When purchasing an Off-Track TB, you gain the benefit of seeing their ancestory 300 years back in time! Additionally, race performances of all Thoroughbreds are available from the Jockey Club! Below is a video clip of Forever Silver racing.
