Some of you who follow me on social media may be aware that I am working on a little documentary on the life of a Thoroughbred. Last summer, I made my first visit to North Country Horses in Gansevoort, home to a branch of the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, to get footage of retired Thoroughbreds being retrained for second careers. While I was there, I also took some photos. Here’s a peek into some of the avenues that racehorses go after they come off the track.
Amanda Vance, owner of North Country Horses, gives Soaring Star, aka Comet, a kiss.
Kate Stephenson rides Eucharist, aka Wafer, around the indoor ring.
Kate and Wafer make a silhouette against the backdrop of the outside.
Alyssa Mania canters Comet around the outdoor ring.
Alyssa jumps Comet in the outdoor ring.
Beliveau is another retired Thoroughbred at North Country Horses.
This past spring, I photographed a horse show at North Country Horses. Some of the horses in this show were retired thoroughbreds.
A young rider hugs retired Thoroughbred Ensign Approved before the show.
A young rider dressed in Western apparel leads a horse in the indoor ring.
A young rider on lead smiles for the camera.
A young rider leads a horse around the indoor ring.
Ensign Approved is led around the indoor ring.
A rider shows Our Broadway Diva, a retired Thoroughbred.
A Quiet Menace, another retired Thoroughbred, is ridden around the indoor ring.
It is gratifying to see the smiles on the faces of riders and their families after they finish their class.
Rider Amy Hoffer poses with multiple stakes winner Hot Money.
New Vocations was represented at NYRA’s third annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course. Horses from the program were ridden on the track, showing off their new disciplines.
Alyssa Mania rides D’Vinicris.
Bielefeld and Last Slew take part in Revolutionary War reenactments.
Kate Stephenson rides Drafted, a millionaire New York bred, who was honored with a retirement ceremony on Aftercare Day.
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
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One thought on “New Vocations and North Country Horses”
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Nice!