tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73280814765621173622024-03-05T10:37:26.711-08:00Mad for SmartyMadisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-57495179813210660312012-06-26T16:00:00.002-07:002012-06-26T16:00:58.161-07:00Schooling at a show<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Saturday Smarty was trailed to a horse show. He isn’t
ready to compete yet, but I wanted him to have the experience of schooling with
other horses and being trailed/ridden somewhere new. As usual, Smarty was a rock
star through the whole experience. He loaded/unloaded beautifully, had no
problem with being tied to the trailed and kept calm with the hustle and bustle
of the show. He was perfect schooling in the arena and didn’t think it was “off
to the races” with the other horses flying around him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My goal with him has been to show him on the flat before
leaving for college. There are two potential shows I’m looking at taking him to
– one in San Antonio July 14 and 15 and another in Austin on August 3-5. We still
have some work to do before he’s ready to go, but Smarty should be ready to go
on one of these dates.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-90490490216265789512012-06-14T13:21:00.001-07:002012-06-14T13:21:17.599-07:00A visitor and an interview<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of May, Mad for Smarty had a very special visitor!
Patricia Chapman, owner of Smarty Jones, came to Austin. While she was here, we
went to Bel Canto to see Mad for Smarty. Mrs. Chapman was happy to see Smarty
doing well. I rode him so that she (and some family members) could see the
progress that has been made with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past week, I was a guest on the Horses in the
Morning radio show. The two hosts talked to me about the story of how I came to
own Mad for Smarty. The interview begins 37 minutes into the show which can be
listened to either from their website or by downloading the podcast from
iTunes. It lasts approximately 15 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/hitm-for-06-08-2012-by-kentucky-performance-products-frankie-co-hosts-mad-for-smarty-and-our-adopted-bug/">http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/hitm-for-06-08-2012-by-kentucky-performance-products-frankie-co-hosts-mad-for-smarty-and-our-adopted-bug/</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-86089182210323545232012-05-21T20:33:00.002-07:002012-05-21T20:34:16.952-07:00Cantering<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last week, I’ve begun to canter Smarty a bit.
Nothing major, just down the sides of the arena. He has only picked up his
right lead a couple of times for me, which is fine for now. I want to get him
cantering before trying to force him on a lead; he is still figuring out how to
balance himself at the gate. He goes just like a racehorse, not surprisingly,
and really hangs on the bit. It has been fun so far! He’ll get his leads and learn
to work off his hind end in no time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I worked with an instructor a few days ago who helped me
get Smarty going more forward and on the bit, which was great! Since he is
still such a green horse, riding him effectively is or utmost importance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-50205565858131095442012-05-09T20:41:00.000-07:002012-05-09T20:41:00.423-07:00Update<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! It’s been a while since my last post and I wanted
to let everyone know how Mad for Smarty is coming along. We have been trotting regularly
and he is doing well so far. After trotting for a few moments he will sometimes
kinda fall apart, rush and drag himself around on the forehand (especially
while I’m in two-point) but never horribly. He has never tried to run off,
bolt, rush into a canter, grab the bit or buck. I’d consider that a success so
far! Smarty is more comfortable traveling to the left and is able to carry
himself correctly and stay in a nice, rounded circle more easily. We are still
working on the right side!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been riding primarily in a dressage arena and an
open trail area trotting in both places. There are a few places with mild slope
on the trails, which I’ve been taking Smarty up and down to try and develop his
top line a bit more. had planned to start cantering him this week, but it has
been very rainy here and I have not been able to work with him as of yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple weeks ago I rode Smarty bareback for the first
time. I enjoyed it, but I’m not so sure that he did! Smarty seemed a bit thrown
off by my lack of saddle and was a bit reluctant to go forward. Overall, he was
fine with it with no explosions or strong objection. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-73895338983328229852012-04-13T20:34:00.000-07:002012-04-13T20:34:06.643-07:00Clipping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad for Smarty’s been looking a little scruffy, so I pulled out a pair of clippers and set to work cleaning him up. As with most things, Smarty was perfect with the clippers. I didn’t do anything major, just cleaned up around the fetlocks, whiskers and bridle path. I don’t think he moved an inch the entire time I was working around him. So yeah! I was thrilled with how perfect he was; so many horses are just awful about being clipped.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MMaVjxxCmiPD0-66ru2zj8-FyJCLyJ2iH5TPWpouRydZE3VwqRav4fAIoI6PcwdlqUAJ0xOmVv_jmalA2d0EeAANxCY4VvgbZJgYrvYZWF1bCVBOHA7i9kd6k3IaIDoDtAN9a5-kcVtD/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MMaVjxxCmiPD0-66ru2zj8-FyJCLyJ2iH5TPWpouRydZE3VwqRav4fAIoI6PcwdlqUAJ0xOmVv_jmalA2d0EeAANxCY4VvgbZJgYrvYZWF1bCVBOHA7i9kd6k3IaIDoDtAN9a5-kcVtD/s320/IMG_1684.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve continued to ride Smarty over the past week and have been pleased with his good behavior. Just recently I began taking him outside the arena and around the property, taking him through some trail areas at Bel Canto. He’s been great! And, much progress has been made with him longeing to the right; Smarty has almost got it down.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW_4ZRMNQ-j_6giuYJWPFm0MK9QlEpWoc8PH-DmrG_lcC919XrlOgOehO9IplK9dCgiD4946dAn4zrV8m9OADmGsdeyq3pwgw6hzFggCsvj711NwLlbARl86jYVGK4nObXRrqw5U59_7z/s1600/IMG_1783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBW_4ZRMNQ-j_6giuYJWPFm0MK9QlEpWoc8PH-DmrG_lcC919XrlOgOehO9IplK9dCgiD4946dAn4zrV8m9OADmGsdeyq3pwgw6hzFggCsvj711NwLlbARl86jYVGK4nObXRrqw5U59_7z/s320/IMG_1783.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying spring</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-12456583587826645052012-04-06T19:43:00.000-07:002012-04-06T19:43:05.598-07:00Outside of the round pen<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-UKfwBYXewr35uF-YXJp2XQx-lz6aDq1NoqupfpvPXfOrwNvglP8uZ70zzDMtpHmSxxnp2ZudwpT23YbM0PJZ8C2UH-s0N-4PI2UoeMQz-Ccs-rJjEqdoCO8qhiwm1xtP1ppK4Co9Q4X/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-UKfwBYXewr35uF-YXJp2XQx-lz6aDq1NoqupfpvPXfOrwNvglP8uZ70zzDMtpHmSxxnp2ZudwpT23YbM0PJZ8C2UH-s0N-4PI2UoeMQz-Ccs-rJjEqdoCO8qhiwm1xtP1ppK4Co9Q4X/s200/IMG_1448.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smarty continues to progress. I’ve ridden him several times since my first ride last Tuesday and he has done well each time. Today I rode him entirely outside of the round pen, primarily in one of the dressage arenas at Bel Canto. Outside of the round pen Smarty was a bit more amped up; very willing to walk forward with little encouragement with ears pricked and alert. As usual, he was pretty awesome about the whole thing. Smarty only had one little freak-out moment when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. I got a few pictures of our ride!</span></div><br />
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</span></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-3792859645258191262012-03-30T14:07:00.000-07:002012-03-30T14:07:24.448-07:00First ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxXpbaH6yct_Y_IwLAwo37_YVjIS7y6INk1Ba-t5mYaInaecoxC3aPZtf3O3U90kSnkGS2hSrJMavgAhoKB0YvR_wZbkQuEa4R0vg0jUJHzH-bbqWm3h1gnjCYhboLYfTmDQEWLCzYV2p/s1600/IMG_1229dup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxXpbaH6yct_Y_IwLAwo37_YVjIS7y6INk1Ba-t5mYaInaecoxC3aPZtf3O3U90kSnkGS2hSrJMavgAhoKB0YvR_wZbkQuEa4R0vg0jUJHzH-bbqWm3h1gnjCYhboLYfTmDQEWLCzYV2p/s320/IMG_1229dup.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">On Tuesday I rode Mad for Smarty for the first time! He was pretty awesome. All we did was a bit of walking under saddle in the round pen. Smarty stood at the mounting block nicely and didn't try to wall off the instant I sat down. My instructor had Smarty on a lead rope to walk off with him once I mounted and walked with us for a few minutes before unhooking me. My mom and grandmother were there to watch our first ride together (and take photos). He was completely calm and chill throughout the ride with no problems at all. Smarty was walking forward nicely, bending around the circle and responding to my aids.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">I rode with a very loose and didn't use much contact at any point in the ride. As he progresses I'll use my reins more actively and plan to work him in side reins down the line. I didn't </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">put much leg pressure on his sides either for the first ride, and will slowly ease him into understanding more traditional leg and rein commands.</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smarty has a pretty good headset all things considered. Right now it is a bit too low, whereas most ex-racehorses have their heads too high. Of course I've just walked him, we'll see if his headset stays nice and low once I ask for faster gates.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NpTlE6cPmRzX_WRBCgeklvh1fA5NleCturJXqxpPttOLLrFhAhr7W5bEwi1MtBhUFq2Jhqd2PbGDdSo3nnF2XmI4h66JG9koP4TXSVQROIKzMrr6gYuk2C8WNUsZmSFGwmp2SBUn6lgz/s1600/IMG_1211dup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NpTlE6cPmRzX_WRBCgeklvh1fA5NleCturJXqxpPttOLLrFhAhr7W5bEwi1MtBhUFq2Jhqd2PbGDdSo3nnF2XmI4h66JG9koP4TXSVQROIKzMrr6gYuk2C8WNUsZmSFGwmp2SBUn6lgz/s320/IMG_1211dup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to develop a top line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7IrvmMW-X9RfHBhGVinSTHc2JODqus_N-eOQFF0xR56y95yhlM4DYq3mWgzKQgp9S9uP8cRdBmwNTBOCztrEZyHXE6LJVyJn5X8434hsejYTzRSX2meFg5oCRdDvdarOJ5yAkUESeb7Y/s1600/IMG_1289dup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7IrvmMW-X9RfHBhGVinSTHc2JODqus_N-eOQFF0xR56y95yhlM4DYq3mWgzKQgp9S9uP8cRdBmwNTBOCztrEZyHXE6LJVyJn5X8434hsejYTzRSX2meFg5oCRdDvdarOJ5yAkUESeb7Y/s320/IMG_1289dup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-46853009356155125172012-03-23T13:38:00.000-07:002012-03-23T13:38:01.713-07:00Longeing<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I talked to Three Chimneys’ vet, Dr. Morehead, earlier in the week and he suggested that I start bringing Smarty back to work, as it has been 6 months since his injury. I have been hand walking Smarty daily, and he recommended starting to walk him under saddle for a week before slowly incorporating the trot and working my way up from there. I’ll continue to check Smarty’s ligament for any heat or swelling through the process to make sure that he is good to go. Dr. Morehead thought it would be about 2 months before the horse is fit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Wednesday, I began working with Smarty on a longe line at the walk, all tacked up. I believe that he’s been longed before, as he sort of knows what’s being asked of him. We worked in a round pen, first tracking left. He did fairly well, despite falling in and bulging out just a bit. By the second day of walking on the line he was doing even better and moving forward nicely. Tracking right was a different story. He was having some issues on Wednesday and didn’t improve on Thursday; Smarty continually stopped and turned around. So we’re taking it a bit more slowly working to the right as I train him to go both directions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far he’s been great! No fireworks, bolting or over-excitement. At the walk, Smarty has a wonderful headset, relaxed and low. For the moment at least, there is none of the stereotypical racehorse tense-neck-head-in-the-air going on. I'll keep y'all updated on his progress!</span><o:p></o:p></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-86950127604166479302012-03-14T19:40:00.000-07:002012-03-14T19:40:04.945-07:00Carrot stretches<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve begun doing a few “carrot stretches” with Mad for Smarty when I go out the barn. Essentially, it is a bit of yoga for my horse. You take a treat and hold it, say, towards his left flank. The horse then has to stretch their neck and work on bending to get the treat. There are several different positions I’ve been doing – left side, right side, in between the front legs – all to get Smarty stretched out and thinking about bending his body. At first when I held the treat to one of his sides he would try to spin in circles to get it. I wouldn’t give it to him those times, but instead would keep asking him to really make an effort to bend his neck and flex to the left. After a couple tires he understood what I was asking and would stand in place and only move his head and neck. I would give Smarty the treat while his head was still in the correct position or the stretch. That way, he’ll eventually learn to hold his position for longer intervals of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first, Smarty was having issues flexing to his right. This was expected coming from the track, and I had already assumed that left would be his easier direction. He kept spinning in circles in an attempt to get the treat held to his right side rather than giving in a bending. Smarty was also less flexible to the right side; he wasn’t able to stretch as far to get the treat. But by the second day he was already improving and had a better idea of what I was asking of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point of this exercise is to get Smarty thinking about bending and to build up a little strength and flexibility. When I begin working with him, Smarty won’t stretch down for the bit or bend but will try to carry his head too high and tense. These simple exercises will hopefully help him learn to relax and flex . Plus, it gives me another thing to do with him until I can begin work.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-29887770221933829392012-03-09T22:14:00.001-08:002012-03-09T22:16:11.847-08:00Race Record<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a huge racing fan myself, I think it's awesome having a horse with a history that is easy to research and track down. Of course, as I already followed all of Smarty Jones' foals at the time Mad for Smarty was running, I was able to experience his career as it was going on. For all of you that weren't quite as in-tune to what my horse has been doing for the past few years of his life, here is a bit of insight into his first career.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad for Smarty enjoyed a decent career as a racehorse before retiring from the track and sent to Bel Canto. His racing career spanned 19 months and covered six different tracks in his 19 lifetime starts. Mad for Smarty was trained by racing legend and Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkins and raced for Robert Clay of Three Chimneys Farm as a homebred. He retired with a record of 19 starts, 3 wins, a second and 4 thirds with lifetime earnings of $115,619 (anything over $100k in earnings is considered pretty good for a horse).</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ_LHCdF-xoWH3tddgx8b3zZqpow6GZB-RslDBbVGZ-ojqDwqx_rDI8m5ddaLFiRYMP_OdPYzjXwaABQiKitknLtoSMVzL2YlRelEtNVZPxI4-YATboKVIrf0tb7Lt-SJUwx8UZuZLeeo/s1600/Mad+for+Smarty4+%2528colt%252C+Santaria%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ_LHCdF-xoWH3tddgx8b3zZqpow6GZB-RslDBbVGZ-ojqDwqx_rDI8m5ddaLFiRYMP_OdPYzjXwaABQiKitknLtoSMVzL2YlRelEtNVZPxI4-YATboKVIrf0tb7Lt-SJUwx8UZuZLeeo/s320/Mad+for+Smarty4+%2528colt%252C+Santaria%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mad for Smarty chillin' at Allen Jerkins barn in Florida. Photo by Kevin Kraynak (Racing Heart Photography)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The colt debuted as a three year old in 2009, making his first start at Gulfstream Park in February in a Maiden Special Weight. Coincidentally, he was up against another Smarty Jones foal making his debut, Farmer Jones. Mad for Smarty finished eight after running well off the pace and making up some ground in the stretch. According to Jerkins, the colt came out of the race with “a shin bothering him.” He was given several months off before making his second start in June at Belmont Park, with much more favorable results. He sat just off the pace before taking the lead on the turn and fought hard to the wire to get the win by a neck in the 6 furlong race over a muddy track. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Video: </span><a href="http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/BEL/2010/6/10/3/race-3">http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/BEL/2010/6/10/3/race-3</a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The horse came back after exactly one month, making an appearance in an allowance at Belmont. He was a distant third in his first start against winners. Just a few weeks later, Mad for Smarty ran at the prestigious Saratoga Race Course in New York, again placing third in an allowance. He followed this effort with two consecutive races at the same level at Saratoga, finishing out of the money both times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to Belmont Park in September for his seventh start, Mad for Smarty was again victorious. Over a track labeled “heavy,” the colt was kept under a firm hold before angling out for the stretch run and taking the lead with an eighth of a mile to go, gradually edging away to a length-and-a-quarter win. This race, which had been taken off of the turf due to the wet conditions, was an Allowance Optional Claiming race, in which some of the horses are available for purchase prior to the race for a set price. Mad for Smarty was not available for purchase; he was not in for a tag.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Video: </span><a href="http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/BEL/2010/9/17/7/race-7">http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/BEL/2010/9/17/7/race-7</a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After three dull efforts in New York (two at Belmont in AOCs and another in an Aqueduct stakes race) Mad for Smarty was again shipped south to winter in Florida. In his first start at Calder Race Course on December 30, 2010, he was a winner in the best race of his career, on paper at least. Breaking from the rail, Mad for Smarty sat in third off a slow pace, conceding two lengths to the leader. He received a perfect trip in the AOC, and angled out three wide coming for home to make his bid. The colt passed the leader with little effort and went on to draw away in deep stretch to win by 6 ½ lengths under jockey Jose Lezcano. He earned a 91 Beyer speed figure for the race, the best of his career. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItXuKDBF1TQsXWBbD9h-f4Sg-XyaVsiCk8EJREPjUMZhCbFclMgNAwdeCeh0rBiS0EFDXkv2_uJE9v3UZvpHtwRUqUkNO1jUVs3MtmcIPSYLeW-efwKPsgQdSMnvHWBK5K2goieyhxVF0/s1600/Mad+for+Smarty10+(colt,+Santaria).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItXuKDBF1TQsXWBbD9h-f4Sg-XyaVsiCk8EJREPjUMZhCbFclMgNAwdeCeh0rBiS0EFDXkv2_uJE9v3UZvpHtwRUqUkNO1jUVs3MtmcIPSYLeW-efwKPsgQdSMnvHWBK5K2goieyhxVF0/s400/Mad+for+Smarty10+(colt,+Santaria).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Video:<a href="http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/CRC/2010/12/30/7/race-7">http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/CRC/2010/12/30/7/race-7</a> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smarty’s form tailed off after this race and he did not win again. The colt raced next in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Challege – a grade 2 – and finished fifth behind the likes of Tackleberry and Soaring Empire. He then faced another stakes field in the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in March of 2011 and actually butted heads against eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Drosselmeyer. Mad for Smarty was shipped back up to New York for the remainder of his racing career and ran in two AOCs, in for tag in both races, where he earned a fourth and third before finishing off the board in a claiming race at Belmont. In August, Smarty finished second in a race at Saratoga before making a two closing appearances at Belmont. In the final race of his career in September of 2011, Mad for Smarty was third in a high-price claiming race… and that’s where I come into the picture. Y’all know the story from there!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad for Smarty's past performances: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz_wTtJXbiWjFVIuPQ4YHpEP0r261klOUMJjcLjROKowgtJpL2LVEVaBXnyfl_so59Zv-Nsn1hupWu010itBPaCgMBTwIqsMfmW5ga5M934pmsr3lk3OdvehFfS73sdw64BWZaMrKlIr2/s1600/PPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz_wTtJXbiWjFVIuPQ4YHpEP0r261klOUMJjcLjROKowgtJpL2LVEVaBXnyfl_so59Zv-Nsn1hupWu010itBPaCgMBTwIqsMfmW5ga5M934pmsr3lk3OdvehFfS73sdw64BWZaMrKlIr2/s640/PPS.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-68477298243797442362012-03-03T21:30:00.000-08:002012-03-03T21:30:02.660-08:00Chronicle of the Horse article<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past week an article about Smarty and I was published in the <i>Chronicle of the Horse</i> magazine. Having my story printed in such a well known publication is certainly an honor! Ms. Mollie Bailey did a fantastic job with both the interview and the story; I am thrilled with how well it turned out. The link below is an extended version of the piece that was actually printed in the magazine, which appeared under the "Finish Line" column. I would like to thank Ms. Bailey again for spending the time to write a quality article and for taking an interest in my story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #174100; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A Passion For Smarty Jones Leads To A Fairytale Ending For Madison Scott</span><br />
<a href="http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/passion-smarty-jones-leads-fairytale-ending-madison-scott"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/passion-smarty-jones-leads-fairytale-ending-madison-scott</span></a>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-44325284459114935852012-02-28T21:47:00.001-08:002012-03-14T19:02:18.802-07:00Smarty turns 5<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyrxS_R-FlJAVSZEJ56i5SUsVTzlglecSVimevsBCwm0g0lT_uLFEWpJWHvVvR46OvDFCmMvGVDMi3nzbG0o0zWyNcds6pLgpxwHdQ6rM1DUjJGLLU1x6c5fRuidfleYEyBdtsWXUuNc5/s1600/birthday+treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyrxS_R-FlJAVSZEJ56i5SUsVTzlglecSVimevsBCwm0g0lT_uLFEWpJWHvVvR46OvDFCmMvGVDMi3nzbG0o0zWyNcds6pLgpxwHdQ6rM1DUjJGLLU1x6c5fRuidfleYEyBdtsWXUuNc5/s200/birthday+treats.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad for Smarty was born on February 27, 2007 at Three Chimneys Farm, out of Robert Clay's mare Santaria (Star de Naskra - Act of Magic by Halo). Yesterday was, of course, the first time</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I could spend Smarty's birthday with him; it was a pretty exciting occasion. If Mad for Smarty wasn't a gelding, he would now officially be labeled as a horse, but unfortunately for him he is still just a gelding. My Smarty's birthday happens to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">coincide </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with the actual Smarty's birthday nicely; Smarty Jones was born on</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> February 28, 2001.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate the event, I baked Mad for Smarty some delicious homemade horse treats. This was my first attempt making baked goods for a horse, and I think it they turned out pretty well (Smarty's seemed to think so, at least!). I used plenty of oats, molasses and peppermint. My pony loved them!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPfS7P2S2F2LlqqGRFYS9J9bSOak7CpoVIALR-ykmAE9Tv3DfLkYojR_Wa5Y8h1jjmwIJz6wtQus4rbjT3G7BAWa0z3YUD6i68HdMTcTgnuzzNx1BE9kmziJolXrQNGhJhLHIGzEjDEoF/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPfS7P2S2F2LlqqGRFYS9J9bSOak7CpoVIALR-ykmAE9Tv3DfLkYojR_Wa5Y8h1jjmwIJz6wtQus4rbjT3G7BAWa0z3YUD6i68HdMTcTgnuzzNx1BE9kmziJolXrQNGhJhLHIGzEjDEoF/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smarty's also got a few special birthday carrots, the ones with the green stems still on top. He gobbled those up, too. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-EwwG8E7GhkebN1f-BnS83WlYG_iD4PEHmJpnc4bN1M3XgLljTQX25Yg0Mo70hwn8VNrLCAQU-NjKsvwPS2GInLhnhH8BsfpF1vB0n8HUCsslV6AAuYC_4wx-Bcmijc4IzUv21PBidEA/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-EwwG8E7GhkebN1f-BnS83WlYG_iD4PEHmJpnc4bN1M3XgLljTQX25Yg0Mo70hwn8VNrLCAQU-NjKsvwPS2GInLhnhH8BsfpF1vB0n8HUCsslV6AAuYC_4wx-Bcmijc4IzUv21PBidEA/s320/IMG_0551.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad for Smarty was feeling good today. He was jumping and playing just a bit on the lead while I was hand grazing him. All of the horses at Bel Canto are pleased that spring is here and the green grass is coming up.</span>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-65307442516613959402012-02-20T20:28:00.000-08:002012-02-20T20:28:01.594-08:00Photos!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was a gorgeous day out at the barn (70s and sunny - a typical Austin February) and I took way too many photos of Smarty while we were out for a walk. With the Equi-Pak on his feet, he isn't allowed to go out in the mud because it causes the material to deteriorate. With about 3 inches of rain over the last week at Bel Canto it was far too muddy for Smarty to be turned out today, so I hand walked him instead. And I happened to have my camera. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTHz18RQ7L-v2LpOsiQzkrkfSEmuOX0dIWeGCWMePltsEG0gHE5T9o3K79d2USxpoVMrsFvxQUl4972hMYP9sn0Kv9mV6XaSwSKEo79PmwWOr5a3e2z9fx4CYjCz-IO00lZF7ah0e6OMu/s1600/IMG_0446+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTHz18RQ7L-v2LpOsiQzkrkfSEmuOX0dIWeGCWMePltsEG0gHE5T9o3K79d2USxpoVMrsFvxQUl4972hMYP9sn0Kv9mV6XaSwSKEo79PmwWOr5a3e2z9fx4CYjCz-IO00lZF7ah0e6OMu/s400/IMG_0446+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being way too majestic for his own good</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1VnxrGOaW8Z4O-CeGzYElx0q_f0i_DDcyXeoipykOGRU29IqPYZqTEsn9Oh9HIm3puR7IIAV6rpPxE9cKhZpIDIrNMlrEnTwvDXxXAi92JC6pnXwodXz_LO6zPVWAlwzFpsTgkmCUogH/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1VnxrGOaW8Z4O-CeGzYElx0q_f0i_DDcyXeoipykOGRU29IqPYZqTEsn9Oh9HIm3puR7IIAV6rpPxE9cKhZpIDIrNMlrEnTwvDXxXAi92JC6pnXwodXz_LO6zPVWAlwzFpsTgkmCUogH/s200/IMG_0371.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXYtHMjBCNBJqzGO7ipVlvKzuD-8K726r7a3mHzNK4ADpySPQpN60JLi6tiQTzrzGjgKdsU0mf6dC47kzl3bUVDcK97NEbUEXI6IezQMgOoynaLOr6bE7VYQ79_rfOQorLBD62RGyTx_v/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXYtHMjBCNBJqzGO7ipVlvKzuD-8K726r7a3mHzNK4ADpySPQpN60JLi6tiQTzrzGjgKdsU0mf6dC47kzl3bUVDcK97NEbUEXI6IezQMgOoynaLOr6bE7VYQ79_rfOQorLBD62RGyTx_v/s200/IMG_0374.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsySLhU656p4R6Bg7-0PdIopSGChyneyllW7-v9DRYZiCBhyphenhyphennLFJSTdiDBM_Myscaa2X9vngO5k4t5ChUb1KH-bo_AuU62Aajru3ZfgDHtkiZyC2GVHC0fB2_RMyR3iRgx2EK2R_TnavjA/s1600/IMG_0425+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsySLhU656p4R6Bg7-0PdIopSGChyneyllW7-v9DRYZiCBhyphenhyphennLFJSTdiDBM_Myscaa2X9vngO5k4t5ChUb1KH-bo_AuU62Aajru3ZfgDHtkiZyC2GVHC0fB2_RMyR3iRgx2EK2R_TnavjA/s320/IMG_0425+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ6L1vmDHLE8FNXTKyiIawmFWu3y7_TZ_fUJ5noQY7wU5nrLz9Wlc_pCmbLya7abkN8wc9ZS53eXCA9MWg6YsIEUNpYq1IA9A76gzP_XMUkALxIMO-RcJp4vTRfdRbY-byJ5BPuY8Le6K/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ6L1vmDHLE8FNXTKyiIawmFWu3y7_TZ_fUJ5noQY7wU5nrLz9Wlc_pCmbLya7abkN8wc9ZS53eXCA9MWg6YsIEUNpYq1IA9A76gzP_XMUkALxIMO-RcJp4vTRfdRbY-byJ5BPuY8Le6K/s320/IMG_0377.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSwHxHuZFgGABJMGlZNIHVnKbLcF2kFfbBpVEeb6-BdQ_yTDmOh71-fw0fEGv7tVpNc8LQ4-0A3Ep8a_UpGrvVHL26Q7A0F9y5dEgKqdmvQVPwadX84ll344xYSdXKSDbguOeVGgi9vr0/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSwHxHuZFgGABJMGlZNIHVnKbLcF2kFfbBpVEeb6-BdQ_yTDmOh71-fw0fEGv7tVpNc8LQ4-0A3Ep8a_UpGrvVHL26Q7A0F9y5dEgKqdmvQVPwadX84ll344xYSdXKSDbguOeVGgi9vr0/s320/IMG_0394.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dangerous things can happen when a girl has a camera AND a pony.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also put my saddle on Smarty for the first time today. It fits! I walked him around for a few minutes with the saddle on and girth tightened. Like everything else, he was totally fine with the whole process and wasn't bothered by my enormous and heavy (by his standards) saddle and my tightening the girth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5J0L98Q9hXlXIvZG9V27GzTs-ET87m0V5de99Z5uyqWOOoADCEh52OFvXx5fNr35z9W5TPliKssOjLluSq9_6HKiAFvIKKHgYNDjqkxqwXWxD8vwEunKoJ8ervgxOyUkEk2tRwWHRfWh/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5J0L98Q9hXlXIvZG9V27GzTs-ET87m0V5de99Z5uyqWOOoADCEh52OFvXx5fNr35z9W5TPliKssOjLluSq9_6HKiAFvIKKHgYNDjqkxqwXWxD8vwEunKoJ8ervgxOyUkEk2tRwWHRfWh/s320/IMG_0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tacked up! Partially, at least</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-36440966438947106712012-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:002012-02-03T13:17:35.792-08:00New shoes<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9EYy8Tg24Tx8-rw-lcYyS5kgRB03spdN5otqForbpe_fnwvCeECwUjPp77esD_IWm8RSFw4mmr_AjwuZyQtSnCBwZeLuamGOIcn4xwq2qx7LNlR2ahe-jEg37Lvaw_G11i5iuEoeZ83_/s1600/equipak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9EYy8Tg24Tx8-rw-lcYyS5kgRB03spdN5otqForbpe_fnwvCeECwUjPp77esD_IWm8RSFw4mmr_AjwuZyQtSnCBwZeLuamGOIcn4xwq2qx7LNlR2ahe-jEg37Lvaw_G11i5iuEoeZ83_/s200/equipak.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">Yesterday front shoes were put back on Mad for Smarty. The farrier recommended front shoes with pads with Equi-pak underneath for a few cycles to help his sole grow out. Smarty has had a tough time adjusting to being barefoot and this should help. He is still barefoot behind. I went out to the barn to see him yesterday, and he was having no issues whatsoever with the new shoes and pads. He has also been started on a hoof supplement to promote growth. Hopefully these things in conjunction will take care of his foot soreness! So far, they are working wonderfully.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnHYfheQ-Ge5SVjhsj4iq6JLHvssnrhLiiFrWTUyjl4Q8PZWoOA9wxJpwezP4O4bVKGOYZoXpbSDQGi51GMAOQfV3cQDIXGLz5JfLp2LsmIcsfju-ygWiSvH-MbtIgKDBv-IHif-D8YNe/s1600/candy+cane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnHYfheQ-Ge5SVjhsj4iq6JLHvssnrhLiiFrWTUyjl4Q8PZWoOA9wxJpwezP4O4bVKGOYZoXpbSDQGi51GMAOQfV3cQDIXGLz5JfLp2LsmIcsfju-ygWiSvH-MbtIgKDBv-IHif-D8YNe/s320/candy+cane.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nom nom nom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So far here's the verdict on treats. Smarty does not like apples. At all. Which was unfortunate, as my mom had bought a bag for him. He'll take a bit and then won't touch the fruit. Carrots, in the other hand, are a big hit, he loves them! And peppermint. I have a regular peppermints that I've been giving him, and my friend Kara just bought a box of candy canes that were on clearance for him. Smarty is really enjoying those!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span style="color: #222222;"> Last weekend, my grandparents, parents, aunt, uncle and cousin came to Bel Canto to meet Smarty. They, like everyone else, loved him. My grandparents where especially thrilled to meet their new grand-horse!</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI1JFMAVh6OJbk71AsqdX5jfIXE6g0iXtK5ScQtG-7d4fDhqRwqTxLwUpbMVfP23iTywP0ZErBxFZBxErCjx0akWHmmsn9-ZJPtI6ZenMCdjjfTrPqQMeIA7uN6TZIq76Sth-QQp5Wm3S/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI1JFMAVh6OJbk71AsqdX5jfIXE6g0iXtK5ScQtG-7d4fDhqRwqTxLwUpbMVfP23iTywP0ZErBxFZBxErCjx0akWHmmsn9-ZJPtI6ZenMCdjjfTrPqQMeIA7uN6TZIq76Sth-QQp5Wm3S/s320/IMG_0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With da fam</td></tr>
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</span>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-5933642133839153782012-01-26T19:07:00.000-08:002012-01-26T19:08:23.930-08:00Cross-tying<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All riding horses learn to cross-tie. No racehorses do, at least during their time at the track. At the racetrack, when horses are out of their stalls they are either being ridden or being led by someone with a shank. When racehorses are groomed, they are tied by a single rope to the stall wall and stand while the groom goes about their business.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smarty arrived at Bel Canto having not been exposed to this simple method, used to make horses stand out in the open while the rider grooms and tacks up the horse. I assume that he had never really stood outside of his stall before while being groomed; being out in the barn aisle was something he needed to grow accustomed to. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I began the process shortly after Smarty arrived. I started by keeping him tied in his stall, just like what would be typical at the track. First, I clipped one tie to his halter and knotted it higher up in the stall, while leaving him tied to the stall wall. For a while, I groomed him like that, making sure he was fine with the rope flapping around near his head. I added another tie to the opposite side of his halter, all while leaving him tied in the stall. Smarty was perfectly fine to stand with both ties clipped to either side of his halter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMZyDR9G1jV4otBDRDX9HpjD6PnoMFaxj8NUJmJ6oF9v8JmOvXd91CwNqjykpIKTanMmTRbqrlyaz3IX4BLkEI2ThdZexHAbQ8hSfMTzR00aIsj7BasdJ77DFK4lAUOfMahF06QQbO0xC/s1600/cross+tie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMZyDR9G1jV4otBDRDX9HpjD6PnoMFaxj8NUJmJ6oF9v8JmOvXd91CwNqjykpIKTanMmTRbqrlyaz3IX4BLkEI2ThdZexHAbQ8hSfMTzR00aIsj7BasdJ77DFK4lAUOfMahF06QQbO0xC/s320/cross+tie2.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-da!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, I took him out of the stall and into the barn aisle. I would tie him, then just stand there facing him. If he took a step forwards, I would ask him to move back and basically just encourage him to stand still in one place. The next day, I had a friend hold him while I went about grooming. Smarty did take a few steps forwards and move just a bit, but always straightened up when I asked him to. This continued twice more, with a friend holding the horse while I groomed. After I was sure Smarty was comfortable standing outside his stall, I just draped the lead rope over his neck while I worked around him. Smarty was perfect! After a few sessions like this, I felt comfortable unclipping the lead rope and just letting Smarty stand in the cross-ties. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole process took about a week, with no problems or delays at all. Smarty was wonderful throughout the whole procedure, as he has been with everything introduced to him so far. This is just a pretty simple and easy thing to teach a horse, but an essential thing to learn. Certainly not much of an accomplishment on my part, but it still feels good to have been part of Smarty’s training! Hopefully he will take the whole riding thing will go just as well.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-48079347803005312132012-01-22T21:22:00.000-08:002012-01-22T21:22:31.210-08:00In the days that followed<div class="MsoNoSpacing"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mad for Smarty has been a wonderful boy since first arriving to his new home two weeks ago. His temperament and disposition remain fantastic. Within a few days, Smarty had already proven himself to be one of the most even-tempered, well-mannered and lovable horses in the barn. So far, everything that he has been introduced to has been taken in stride without any fireworks or him getting in the least bit worked up. I haven’t seen him shy or spook away from anything yet. Smarty is doing a lot to de-bunk the crazy ex-racehorse myths.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2DiN6KDDAl0rwPd4o__vw_uMHCMA_oRN4DEdELtSZrAV0mF_mGlrzb7woKHf38Rnj-E33sIPKYJDX-LNMlwglkUp6FcgL1rYgiTSnwMWkj8cI_GjteWrCpIFlLcenrZGXpFIme0zJ8AX/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2DiN6KDDAl0rwPd4o__vw_uMHCMA_oRN4DEdELtSZrAV0mF_mGlrzb7woKHf38Rnj-E33sIPKYJDX-LNMlwglkUp6FcgL1rYgiTSnwMWkj8cI_GjteWrCpIFlLcenrZGXpFIme0zJ8AX/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mad for Smarty and a few of my friends: Emily, Kara and Katie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Many of my friends and family members have watched me pine for a horse for years. They realize how monumental it is for me to finally have one, and recognize the importance that it has on my life. So, Smarty has had a few visitors over the last week. Everyone has loved him so far, and Smarty has behaved beautifully.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The biggest obstacle that we have faced so far is Smarty’s feet. He arrived barefoot behind with just shoes on his front feet. Soon after getting to Texas, one of his aluminum shoes bent. The farrier removed both front shoes last week, and Smarty has been a bit footsore since then. I’ve been painting his feet with iodine and the farrier came back and applied Sole Guard to his front feet. Hopefully his feet toughen soon; he is still footsore at the moment. Of course, him having four white hooves doesn’t really help matters.</span><o:p></o:p></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-25521661922555123792012-01-18T20:59:00.000-08:002012-01-18T20:59:17.563-08:00The Arrival<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMGUU5MGIeHsLgNJ527eASh6Dx2BcUjsBH2cfYxhQrVyBL3nqDRbCvUw16ou7YvXapLhCbJzU5rqAgIuN_o2ruXHVq0gxLmhDPpnOCLOfhUjdcsHkr4guytsBXmFI3qTWGAQJqRSBrpfU/s1600/IMG_9885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMGUU5MGIeHsLgNJ527eASh6Dx2BcUjsBH2cfYxhQrVyBL3nqDRbCvUw16ou7YvXapLhCbJzU5rqAgIuN_o2ruXHVq0gxLmhDPpnOCLOfhUjdcsHkr4guytsBXmFI3qTWGAQJqRSBrpfU/s320/IMG_9885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first glimpse of Mad for Smarty as he is unloaded from the van</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mad for Smarty arrived at Bel Canto Farms in Wimberley, Texas on the afternoon of January 7, 2012, just three weeks after I was first notified of the possibility of owning him. The trip down from Kentucky is a long one, Mad for Smarty was en route for 25 hours. He arrived to an entourage - about 15 people saw him arrive, from my trainer and family to fellow riders. Mad for Smarty showed up in style, riding in the most impressive 18-wheeler horse van you've ever seen. The horse was unloaded, and I took the lead rope quietly, unable to speak. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">That's when I started crying. It was probably the most emotional thing I've ever gone though. I'm not an emotional person for the most part, and have never been so happy that tears were rolling down my face. But I certainly couldn't control it! Having him handed to me was so incredible... it was as if every moment in my life for the last 8 years had been building to this. I can't really describe how it felt to finally get my own horse. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I walked him for a good half hour before putting him away in the barn. Smarty was wonderful the entire time; it was a great start to our relationship</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_WdUB85rvfGlBd_NBayKp3XaZIO898o8ZcI04kQeiARnbvHkBVkdwLHRClgAMpSK6QPGz7vfs2ifc9TKr4Yo6yM5WWhCl-wnJaKBvU_2f3dT2wKKa0GhT-IFpVRji5mCfJW5f49Je-zR/s1600/IMG_9889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_WdUB85rvfGlBd_NBayKp3XaZIO898o8ZcI04kQeiARnbvHkBVkdwLHRClgAMpSK6QPGz7vfs2ifc9TKr4Yo6yM5WWhCl-wnJaKBvU_2f3dT2wKKa0GhT-IFpVRji5mCfJW5f49Je-zR/s320/IMG_9889.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding my horse for the first time</td></tr>
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Mad for Smarty was in wonderful condition. He was still very fit, and actually much more muscular and conditioned than I thought he would be, considering he has been off the track since September.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
His manners are incredible. Really, really fantastic for a young OTTB. Everyone in my barn was thrilled with how well he behaved throughout the day. There were no fireworks when he got off the van, he never spooked at anything, he wasn't overly mouthy or nippy, he didn't try to bit or kick or play and was minding my space very well, even going in his stall. Again, more evidence of what a classy operation Three Chimneys is!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbNkGW-6CRwctX9O06yvK1mvdXoZXpzmmv0ZfC231O1VMfLYR_4uqFnidOFtiVk5YWjm79_XYYh4iXqAua3OAKvj7zCLMrMvFNzGG8QvIlmDKi_Bt0VEY6_W-bUAi45ZSo0q23tI4UFr5/s1600/IMG_9898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbNkGW-6CRwctX9O06yvK1mvdXoZXpzmmv0ZfC231O1VMfLYR_4uqFnidOFtiVk5YWjm79_XYYh4iXqAua3OAKvj7zCLMrMvFNzGG8QvIlmDKi_Bt0VEY6_W-bUAi45ZSo0q23tI4UFr5/s320/IMG_9898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Again, I am so, so grateful to everyone at Three Chimneys. I really can't stress that enough; </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everyone there was so helpful in getting this horse to me. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This whole experience has been fantastic, and it has just begun. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7328081476562117362.post-47973319376499160462012-01-12T20:50:00.000-08:002012-01-22T20:51:06.608-08:00The Story<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Welcome to my blog! Madforsmarty.blogspot.com will follow the escapades of myself, Madison, and my newly acquired off-the-track Thoroughbred, Mad for Smarty (2007 gelding, Smarty Jones x Santaria by Star de Naskra). I've been riding for close to six years as a hunter/jumper, and Mad for Smarty is my first horse. There is a quiet story behind our coming together; I'll start at the very beginning.</span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> On June 5, 2004, having just reached my 10<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>birthday, I watched the 2004 Belmont Stakes. Undefeated, famed Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones was making his run at history, attempting to become the first horse in 25 years to claim racing’s biggest prize, the Triple Crown. He came heartbreakingly close.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The 2004 Belmont was the first race I ever viewed. I fell head over heels for the chestnut colt, and became a fan of horse racing for life.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> From then on, I devoured all the knowledge I could about Smarty Jones and the Sport of Kings, catching every racing telecasts and dissecting each newspaper article I came across. In August 2004, Smarty was retired, and I began sending fan mail.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u1:p></u1:p> </span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I wrote dozens of letters to Three Chimneys Farm, Smarty’s new home, drew pictures, composed songs and emails, and sent them all to Smarty. By the time his 2-year-olds hit the track for the first time in the summer of 2008, I started sending weekly updates about his foals running across the globe. Impressed by the amount of knowledge a 14-year-old teenage girl from Texas had about racing, the people at Three Chimneys contacted Patricia Chapman, Smarty’s owner, in regards to me.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u1:p></u1:p> </span><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Chapman and I began corresponding on a regular basis. In March, Three Chimneys and Chapman invited me on a trip to meet Smarty and his owner. And in July of 2009, I met Smarty and spent the best week of my life on a VIP trip through the Bluegrass, exploring Kentucky’s Thoroughbred breeding industry with some of the top people in the business. And that's were Mad for Smarty came into the picture.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> During my time at Three Chimneys, owner Robert Clay mentioned that he had a Smarty Jones 2yo who needed to be named. Wanting to honor Smarty's many fans but also tie the name to myself, my mom suggested calling the 2007 Smarty Jones x Santaria colt Mad for Smarty. The name connected myself to the horse (Mad for Madison) but also was a great way to think of all of Smarty Jones' many fans who truly were mad for him. Mr. Clay liked the name and submitted it to the Jockey Club. Within a few days, Mad for Smarty had officially been given his name. My trip to Kentucky was a dream come true, helping to name a Smarty Jones foal was just icing on the cake.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I follow all of the offspring of Smarty Jones closely, watching replays and keeping notes on each one. Even without the ties I had to Mad for Smarty, I would have still watched his racing career. But I tracked him more intensely than the other Smarty Jones offspring, saving workout notifications and recording his races. He was certainly a decent racehorse - earning his keep at the track, and running in a few stakes and graded stakes races. In September of 2011, Mad for Smarty was retired from racing due to a slight tear in a ligament and taken back to his birthplace, Three Chimneys Farm.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It wasn't until mid-December that my mom received a phone call from the farm. Mad for Smarty was retired from the track and gelded, ready to begin a new phase of his life as a riding horse. The wonderful people at Three Chimneys were kind enough to think of me in finding a new home for Mad for Smarty. Of course, we accepted. I had been waiting most of my life to have a horse of my own, and never imagined that I would become a horse owner so soon. And not just the owner of any horse, but Mad for Smarty! For several years now, it had been a dream of mine to one day take one of Smarty Jones' foals off the track and transition them into a riding horse of my own. I'm forever grateful to Three Chimneys for making this become realized so early in my life, and for taking such fantastic care of their horses once they leave their racing careers.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There is so much more to come! I have a multitude of family and friends that would love to follow me, this horse and our growth throughout the retraining process. That is what inspired me to start this blog. Plus, things like this don't happen to everyone, and life-long aspirations aren't typically realized so early in life. I want to record every detail of out time together for myself, too. I am truly blessed!</span></span></div>Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04236626358555882541noreply@blogger.com4