OTTB on Tap

23/07/2024

New Episode! OTTB Underdog Stories: Brian & Bombino's Midlife Eventing Adventure

What happens when an army officer who has never ridden a horse (but has jumped out of planes) marries an event rider? He starts eventing, of course! In the first installment of our newest series, “OTTB Underdog Stories,” we explore how Brian Roberts began riding just over three years ago, taking on an OTTB with a tricky reputation. Now a successful training level eventing pair, Brian and his OTTB, Bombino, are a fixture at Area 2 events. We discuss his journey, from his first trip to the tack shop for a “riding starter kit” to learning about Bombino’s signature move at their first event. We also delve into how the most talented horses can also be the quirkiest.

We appreciate Brian’s fresh perspective on horses, his experience starting a challenging new sport later in life, and his humorous outlook on life, and hope you will join us for this fun episode!



🔗 👂 https://www.ottbontap.com/ep-32-ottb-underdog-stories-brian-bombinos-midlife-eventing-adventure/

16/07/2024

Join us for our very special latest ep! Creating a Good Citizen: A Boutique Reseller Shares Her Approach with OTTBs

Special Guest June Hillman shares the legacy of Castle Rock Farm, her partnership with Thoroughbred aftercare organization Turning For Home, and so much more in this episode!

L i n k in first comment

June is no stranger to Thoroughbreds - she is part of their entire lifecycle, from conception to foal, racehorse to OTTB restart. She has been the manager of Castle Rock Farm in West Chester, PA since 1995 and has handled TB stallions such as Patton, Harry the Hat, Partner's Hero, Power by Far, Awad, Alyten, and Rimrod. The farm breeds and raises about 10-15 baby racehorses each year nowadays, and June handles them from the moment they are born, helping to shape them into what she affectionately calls "Good Citizens." This is especially helpful when they return after their racing careers and June transitions them into their new homes as sporthorses.

She is also partnered with Turning for Home, a racehorse retirement program based out of Pennsylvania's Parx Racetrack. Through TFH, June rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes many OTTBs each year. She prides herself in taking the time to learn about each horse as an individual, and carefully place them in appropriate homes.

In this episode, we also talk about how no horse is perfect, and often those with blemishes, old injuries, or the need for a little maintenance gets them passed over by potential new homes. We highlight a current OTTB that June is retraining, "Angel" or Angeli Blu, a 2019 bay TB gelding by Air Force Blue (War Front/Danzig) out of the Irish TB Cabin (Galileo/Sadler's Wells). Angel is the type of horse that you just want to ride every day!

June can be contacted through her page, where she also posts her horses for sale. You can find about Angel in his ad here. (Shameless plug by host Emily, who adores this horse!)

16/07/2024

New Episode! "Ep 31: Creating a Good Citizen: A Boutique Reseller Shares Her Approach with OTTBs"

Special Guest June Hillman shares the legacy of Castle Rock Farm, her partnership with Thoroughbred aftercare organization Turning for Home, and so much more in this episode! June is no stranger to Thoroughbreds - she is part...

Special Guest June Hillman shares the legacy of Castle Rock Farm, her partnership with Thoroughbred aftercare organization Turning for Home, and so much more in thi…

09/07/2024

"More Magnawave Please!" (Horses say the darndest things, don't they?)

Join us for a bit of a mashup episode! We bring back Taylor Cusack, who was a guest on Ep 17: OTTB on Tap Clinic Recap: Riding OTTBs with Olympian William Fox-Pitt with her charismatic OTTB, CV’s Eventing Rebellion, or “Darcy” as he is known to his friends. Taylor has been hitting all the clinic high notes this year, by adding riding with Lucinda Green MBE at The Maryland Horse Trials to her resume. We get her take on Lucinda’s famous ‘Ready for Trouble’ position and how it has helped her center her riding, even though she still has a strange fear of jumping tiny fences. For someone who has only been riding for 4 years, she has accomplished so much!

Next, we take a deep dive into the realm of animal communication and discover what exactly Darcy thinks of his owner/mom/rider/best friend!

Finally we discuss the sensitive topic of rider anxiety and how it was impacting Taylor’s performance at shows. She discusses why she made the decision to take a step back from competing at one-day events that have all three phases of eventing (dressage, cross country, and show jumping) in one day, and focus on less pressure-filled situations. As we like to say, “This is supposed to be fun right?”

We hope you enjoy this episode and enjoy the deep connection Taylor and Darcy share.


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08/07/2024

Do you have a great OTTB underdog story? OTTB ON TAP wants to feature you in a future episode.

We want to hear your success story of taking a chance on a horse that many would pass on (ie, repaired fractures, old bows, chips, wind surgeries, asymmetries, ankle jewelry, arthritis, or imperfect x-rays).

How to enter:

*Like and share this post
**Follow on Instagram and Facebook
***Tag a friend
****Comment UNDERDOG on this post (on Facebook or Instagram)

We'll choose a participant on 7/15!

A podcast about all things related to Off Track Thoroughbreds.

02/07/2024

'Horse Before the Course’ with Kathy Goodman
(🔗 in comments)

Buckle up for a positively fun episode with special guest Kathy Goodman! In Horse Before the Course, OTTB on Tap speaks with Kathy about 4 seemingly separate, yet intertwined topics:

• Pressure Proof Clinics that challenge your “mental RAM” and teach ways to tap into your inner super power and perform under pressure
• USDF “L” Judging Program - how learning to judge dressage has transformed Kathy as a rider and trainer (spoiler alert: learn tips straight from the judge’s mouth!)
• Retired Racehorse Project Makeover: Kathy is training not one but two OTTBs for this year’s Makeover: Baltimore Babe (from Mareworthy) and Sgt Reckless USMC (from After The Races) - learn about training OTTBs at liberty! (and dressage)
• Mareworthy: Kathy is also on the board of Mareworthy a charity specifically geared towards rehabilitating and rehoming (when appropriate) OTTB mares, ex-broodmares in particular!

To meet Kathy is to immediately feel comfortable with her friendly, candid, and thoughtful approach. Her enthusiasm for OTTBs (and all horses) is contagious. A lifelong ‘crazy horse girl’ with a background in eventing, hunter/jumpers, and even some western thrown in, Kathy also is a graduate of the Pressure Proof program, started by Dan Stewart, and teaches clinics regularly.

We also chat about her adventures in becoming a dressage judge, and her two OTTBs that she is retraining for the RRP Makeover. She is a passionate supporter of OTTB aftercare, and talks about a new program called Mareworthy Match to help pair potential adopters with OTTB mares. Not looking to adopt an OTTB at this time? That’s fine! Mareworthy has also created a Pasture Pals program, where for a small monthly donation, you can help support a worthwhile cause.


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30/06/2024

There’s just nothing like it.

Who can relate???

30/06/2024

Dropping Tuesday, July 2! Stay tuned to find out more 🤩🦄🐎

Check out OTTB on Tap Podcast’s video.

25/06/2024

Catch Riding an OTTB ‘Under Pressure’

***🔗 in first comment***

OTTB on Tap had the good fortune of attending a Pressure Proof clinic at the After the Races facility in Elkton, MD on June 15. Taught by Kathy Goodman, Niamh jumped at the opportunity to catch ride one of the adoptable ATR horses, Some is Nine. “Nine” is a 6 year old Thoroughbred mare by Super Ninety Nine out of an Awesome Again mare. She came to After The Races in partnership with Beyond The Wire. In this episode, we find out about Niamh and Emily’s impressions of the Pressure Proof training session, which Niamh described as “HIIT exercises for your brain” and how this has practical applications to both everyday riding and competition.

Check out ottbontap dot com for lots of clinic photos, to subscribe to our newsletter, and more!

After The Races Pressure Proof

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21/06/2024

Give for one, give to all: your contribution to an individual trainer fundraiser through the 2024 Make the Makeover campaign can help them earn refunded entry fees, AND help produce the biggest movement in Thoroughbred aftercare, the Thoroughbred Makeover.All eligible trainers who raise $1,000 or mo...

18/06/2024

🎙 Just dropped! "Ready for Trouble" Riding OTTBs with Lucinda Green (Part 1) 🐴

It only takes a moment of meeting Merrilyn RB and listening to her sing the praises of her OTTB, Koda Bear, to realize how strong their partnership is. We had the great fortune of watching Merrilyn and Koda Bear while auditing the Lucinda Green MBE clinic at Loch Moy Farm, home of the Maryland Horse Trials on April 29-30, 2024. In this ep, which is Part 1 of 2 of our clinic coverage, we’ll recap Merrilyn’s past and present experiences riding with the six-time Badminton winner, 1982 World Champion, and Olympic medallist.

For those unfamiliar, Lucinda has a unique teaching style - the fences never get very big, but she has a keen eye for teaching horses and riders how to prepare for cross country courses and to develop that “fifth leg” that a good cross country horse has.

In this clinic, she put a big emphasis on terrain and how she believes it will become one of the biggest factors in cross country in the coming years.

We’ll hear how Merrilyn and Koda Bear coped, and how Merrilyn conquered her fear of a very specific fence on the course.

Lucinda is also one of the most enthusiastic Thoroughbred fans out there, so stay tuned for the upcoming release of OTTB on Tap’s exclusive interview with her about all things Thoroughbred!

Check out ottbontap dot com for lots of clinic photos, to subscribe to our newsletter, and more!

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15/06/2024

Absolutely lovely mare I had the privilege of riding in a Pressure Proof clinic today. She’s available for adoption through After The Races and I think she would excel in so many disciplines. Brave, and willing she handled the clinic environment and pressure so well. Some is Nine and I had a great time today, she’s has less than 10 post track rides and this was the first time I sat on her 💕

https://www.aftertheraces.org/thoroughbred-horses/some-is-nine #:~:text=Some%20is%20Nine%20is%20a,in%20February%20of%20this%20year!

11/06/2024

New Episode! Ep 26 – OTTB Transformations: Hard Work Equals Success for Kirsten Schuitema & One Sly Fox

In 2017, Kirsten Schuitema accompanied a friend who wanted to try a couple of OTTBs that our hosts, Emily and Niamh, had sourced from the track and had been bringing along. Little did Kirsten know that she would meet her future upper level partner, One Sly Fox, or “Tango” as he is known in the barn, that day. Back then, Tango was owned by Niamh and known by his Jockey Club name, Double No, or “Nolan” and you can listen to his backstory in Episode 23: Four of our Favorite OTTBs.

Fast forward to 2024, and Kirsten has gone from a Novice level rider that had taken time off to go to college and work in the corporate world to 3-star eventing competitor with her partner One Sly Fox.

While green horse and green rider isn’t always a winning combination, as Kirsten says, “Some horses would hold a grudge from some of the stuff we went through… I’d make a mistake and he’d jump us out of it.” Now Kirsten talks with us about her rise through the ranks, including what it’s like to work for 5-star eventer and dual Olympic Gold Medallist, Phillip Dutton, and how she learned to ‘ride properly’ for the upper levels.

She also candidly speaks about the financial burden of trying to make it as a young professional rider, and her decision to offer syndicate ownership shares in Tango. Above all, Kirsten is a staunch supporter of OTTBs and reveals her favorite thing about the breed.

Check out ottbontap dot com for One Sly Fox’s pedigree, photos, and more!


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04/06/2024

New episode! Ep 25: Uncovering those 'Diamond in the Rough' OTTBs with Chelsey O'Brien
Another installment of our OTTB on Tap - Retired Racehorse Project Trainer Chronicles Series!

In this episode, we chat with Virginia-based trainer, Chelsey O’Brien, about her 2024 RRP Makeover horse, Unbeknownst to Me, or “UBie” as he is known in the barn. UBie raced 15 times and earned a little over $71,000 as a racehorse. He’s owned and sponsored for the RRP Makeover by Pastured Place, a 501(c)(3) providing retirement, rehabilitation, retraining, and rehoming to Thoroughbreds.

In this episode, Chelsey reveals that they often look to place OTTBs that may be otherwise overlooked for adoption with trainers for the Makeover. Learn about how she connected with UBie, his strengths and weaknesses, and her philosophy on retraining OTTBs. She is pointing UBie towards barrels and western dressage for the Makeover.
Pastured Place
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01/06/2024

When we started this podcast it was because we felt there was a need in the OTTB industry for a community to allow people to talk openly about their journeys with off-the-track thoroughbreds. A place where questions could be asked and answered and stories of triumph and failure could be shared without judgment. Most of all, we wanted to connect OTTB lovers from all over the world, to create solidarity in a space that can sometimes feel like you're floating in a rowboat without an oar.

Never in a million years could I have imagined that our little podcast, in its infancy would become a stepping stone for someone acquiring their first OTTB.

Our listener, Lune in Belgium reached out to us throughout her process while selecting an OTTB. And today she brought her home! Our buyer's guide served as a resource throughout the process and she felt comfortable asking us questions along the way.

I've attached some images/video (with permission) of her new acquisition!

To quote Lune, "So thank you for teaching me about OTTBs, if it wasn't for the podcast I probably wouldn't have gotten Kleeblatt!"

We are so excited for her and her gorgeous new mare!

30/05/2024

With the goal of owning a racehorse and continuing to be involved in that horse’s next career after racing, Meghan McNamara, whose family has bred and owned Thoroughbred racehorses in California and who has competed at multiple Thoroughbred Makeovers, is launching Golden Acres Syndicate.

“The way I see it is, we aren’t racing a horse to retire at five years old or acquiring an Off-the-Track Thoroughbred for a second career,” she said. “Instead, we are fostering the strength this breed possesses through race and sport training, utilizing the best of both worlds to set the horse up for a lifetime of high-level success.”

Although Olympian and advocate Buck Davidson adds, “most of my owners came from racing as well,” that’s not the norm, nor should it be expected for that to become the norm. Most racehorse owners buy their horses because their focus is to have horses to race. The focus of aftercare to this point, rightly so, has been on the first steps that are needed for racehorses to find a new home and get the proper training to start their next chapter. What OTTBs Sorocaima and Wabbit have shown is the long-term fruits of that labor.

“What they didn’t realize is that the experience in eventing is so different,” Davidson said about his partnership with race owners. “They actually get to know the horse, and they get to go see it in the stall and in some cases ride it and be part of their lives.”

The sporthorse ownership experience, while admittedly not for all racehorse owners, can be attractive in terms of having a connection to the horse, the longevity of a horse’s sports career, prestigious events with party atmospheres, and even financial considerations of prize money and adding value to the horse. Plus, the Thoroughbred breed as a whole benefits, which can then be a positive for racing and its social license to operate because racing is the reason why the Thoroughbred exists and how most Thoroughbreds get their start.

https://paulickreport.com/features/big-picture/the-big-picture-presented-by-excel-equine-are-elite-eventers-an-answer-to-racings-aftercare-disconnect

28/05/2024

New Episode in our RRP Trainer Chronicles Series! OTTB Training as a Team: Julianne & Ashley Work Together Toward the RRP Makeover
Can an amateur rider with a full time job still have time to train a fresh off the track OTTB?
Julianne Pangal certainly can, and does, as her own website, OTTB Makeover, demonstrates. For the 2024 RRP Makeover, Julianne has teamed up with longtime friend Ashley Olin to train and compete their off-track Thoroughbred gelding, Brooklawn. Both Julianne and Ashley have versatile backgrounds in foxhunting, hunter/jumpers, and eventing, and are taking a unique approach to decide what “Rye” will compete in at the Retired Racehorse Project Makeover. Learn about their training methods, how they balance work, life, and horses (or not!), and what is next on their road to the RRP Makeover 2024.

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21/05/2024

New Episode! Four of our Favorite OTTBs, Vol 1

Take a trip down memory lane with Niamh and Emily as we discuss 4 memorable OTTBs from our past. We discuss Thoroughbred pedigrees, conformation, temperament, and more, along with the horses’ back stories, why we chose them, and what made them special to us. Maybe even a couple were “the one that got away” to us!

Included in this episode are:
Kiwi Gal, a 2009 chestnut TB mare by Stormello out of Mikey’s Gal, by Montbrook. She had 13 starts, 2 wins, and about $59k earnings.
Bridge of Flowers, a 2013 by TB gelding by War Chant out of Frost Flower(IRE), by Sadler’s Wells. He had 15 starts, 1 win and about $22k in earnings.
Victory Money, a 2008 bay TB mare by Love of Money out of Karla’s Victory, by Medieval Victory. She had 14 starts, 1 win and about $22k in earnings.
Double No, a 2013 bay TB gelding by Discreetly Mine out of Tale of the Fox, by Tale of the Cat. He had 9 starts, no wins, and a whopping $3495 in earnings.

Check out our website for pedigrees, conformation pictures, riding photos, and more!

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14/05/2024

Love this! And what a canter 🤩

14/05/2024

New Episode! Thoroughbred Round Up

Join us to catch up with Niamh and Emily about OTTBs in the big events this spring: Kentucky and Badminton. They also chat about the Kentucky Derby, William Fox-Pitt's retirement, and a sneak peek into our upcoming episode about riding OTTBs in a Lucinda Green clinic. Finally, they recap about the OTTB on Tap - Retired Racehorse Project trainers: Annika, Lauren, Julianne, and Chelsey.

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13/05/2024

We are so excited about our upcoming episode with riders on OTTBs at a recent Lucinda Green clinic. Maybe with a cameo by Lucinda herself! (Spoiler alert, Lucinda LOVES Thoroughbreds!)

GREEN IS QUEEN

You can’t talk about Badminton Horse Trials without mentioning one of the greatest of all time; the iconic Lucinda Green.

A truly illustrious career that includes an unmatched record of six victories at Badminton Horse Trials on six different horses; including back to back winners in 1976/77 and 1983/84. Twice winner of Burghley Horse Trials, Team Silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and Individual and Team Gold at the 1982 World Championships, alongside multiple European Championships medals and countless Eventing achievements.

Lucinda was just nineteen when she won her first Badminton title on Be Fair in 1973. The chestnut, acquired for her fifteenth birthday, took Lucinda from Pony Club all the way to the first of two European championship titles and her first Olympics in Montreal.

Revered for her attitude, her approach to horses and the grace and elegance she displays in the saddle, Lucinda will always be one of the greatest (and one of our favourites). In a sport that can never be described as simple, Lucinda has always been the epitome of simplicity and flawlessness - understanding perfectly how to bring out the best of herself and her horses; a true embodiment of fitness and finesse.

The quintessential Queen of Eventing.

10/05/2024

Feel Good Friday:

When we started this podcast late last year we had no idea how much it would grow and how far-reaching it would be.

In the last week, we've received some incredible feedback from listeners across the country (AND THE WORLD) and it's truly heart-warming to know that the podcast is reaching people and that they are finding solidarity with our guests.

To each and every one of you who has liked, shared, and participated, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.

And if you've ever felt like making a suggestion, giving us feedback, or just saying hello, don't hesitate to contact us.

10/05/2024

On point!

As we revel in the afterglow of a 150th Kentucky Derby that was everything racing needed it to be, those of us with a foot in the sport horse world still have the previous weekend on repeat in our heads. The last weekend in April, horses can be found thundering around a different venue of

07/05/2024

🎤Just dropped! Ep 21: Lauren Garrett-Bond’s Holistic Approach to Restarting her OTTB mare, Tizbit - 🔗 in first comment

Join us for another installment of our OTTB on Tap - Retired Racehorse Project collaboration! In this episode, we chat with Lauren Garrett-Bond about her OTTB mare, Tizbit. Lauren grew up down the street from Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland and would watch the horses work on the track daily. Her love of Thoroughbreds never diminished, and now she is retraining her mare for the ‘24 RRP Makeover this October. With a Masters degree in behavior, Lauren brings us an intuitive and holistic approach to transitioning horses from racehorse to riding horse, and talks about what it is like owning her very first mare, and maybe some jitters after visiting the Kentucky Horse Park for the very first time!



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03/05/2024

Miss your chance to get your very own Mai Baum hat? You have another chance!

Don't miss out, these limited edition hats are in low stock and only available online through the USEA's shop at: https://shopusea.com/mai-baum-fundraiser-hat/

In purchasing a cap, you will be supporting a Mai Baum SEE Scholarship offered through the USEA Foundation. This program will support experiential internships that promote openness and diversity to young equestrians. All proceeds from the cap sales will be contributed to the scholarship.

Thank you for supporting Strides for Equality Equestrians!

Ellen Ahearn Tamie Smith United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA)