Blue Horse Charities

FEATURED AGENCY
C.A.N.T.E.R.

SCARLETT SECRETARY

Secretariat granddaughter, Scarlett Secretary, transitioned quickly from racehorse in 1996 and 11 months later had earned the title of Champion Novice Horse of the Year for 1997 by the Michigan Eventing Association. With outstanding conformation, this beautiful mover receives incredible scores for her dressage phase of eventing but really shows her talent on the cross country course and in the show jumping phases of eventing. A bold and natural jumper, she competes successfully throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada including her first 3 day event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky in 2001.

Scarlett lives in Michigan and was bred, raised, raced and transitioned to eventing by CANTER founder, Jo Anne Normile, and her husband, John. She is the CANTER Poster Child.

ANDROS FIRST
By Brett Huard, 16 year old owner

I'm just another one of those people who love Thoroughbred mares. I find them to be very brave, willing and careful. From the moment, I first heard about my horse, Andros First, she has proven herself to be that and more. Purchased by CANTER in the late summer of 2001, Andros First hardly batted an eye when her trailer unexpectedly broke down when she was barely an hour away from the track! Unloading a Thoroughbred on a freeway to switch vehicles is not a usual situation, but the attitude and demeanor of this mare turned a potential problem into a piece of cake!

I heard this remarkable story and just had to see this mare! I was looking for a potential event horse and went to see Andros First at a CANTER foster home. She stood perfectly still while I tacked her up. All she really knew was to grab the bit and run, but after a short while she settled into listening and she walked, trotted and cantered for me both directions that first day. She moved amazing even with her racing plates on. After a vet check for soundness and some paperwork, she was mine!

I named her "Foxy" because she is such a flashy little mare. We worked on basics waiting until our dressage skills were stronger before taking her over a fence. From the first, Foxy thought jumping was the greatest! Everything I pointed her at she locked on and took me over. I have to be careful that I don't overface her. She will truly try to jump anything I ask.

In October 2001, we competed in our first event, the Honey Run Team Challenge in Ann Arbor and finished in 2nd place with a wonderful dressage test and double clean in jumping! We worked hard all winter and though it was a bit daring, we decided to try a trip to Kentucky for the 2002 Spring Bay Event!

Foxy maintained composure during dressage and we had a good ride, even with a nearby soccer game going on! But as I walked the Spring Bay Cross Country course, I decided I was nuts for choosing this as our first real event! The cross country course was extremely challenging considering our experience level. We gave it our all and Foxy trucked me around that course like she knew what she was doing -- I mean, she was absolutely perfect! Stadium was pouring rain, but with an amazing round there, we finished the weekend in 6th place. Not bad!

I am so thrilled with Foxy not just because we have done so well so quickly but because I was able to see that she really loves the sport of eventing. We plan on going all over this season staying at novice with plans to move up at the end of the summer. My big plans are to be able to go to Virginia at novice level for the Pony Club National Championships.

I just want to thank Jo Anne and CANTER so much for the opportunity to purchase this mare and also my trainer, Jennifer Merrick-Brooks, for helping us get started. I just enjoy riding a horse that truly loves being ridden and most of all jumping.

Brett Huard and Foxy

TASHANIC

This Exceller grandson bred in Florida raced NINE straight years from 3 years old through his 11th year! Early in his impressive racing career, he set a track record for 1 1/16 Miles in 1:42.50 at Rockingham Park. He cross the finish line for the last time at Great Lakes Downs in Michigan in October 2001. He was purchased by CANTER directly off of the backside for $500 when he suffered a puncture wound in his rear leg that became severely infected.

CANTER has a unique relationship with the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine under the direct supervision of John Stick, DVM and Chief of Staff wherein CANTER owned horses receive veterinary evaluation, care and treatment, including surgery, at Michigan State University's Large Animal Hospital.

Immediately upon purchase, Tashanic was taken to the University as an emergency. He received surgical debridement of the wound and remained in the hospital for five days on four different antibiotic intravenous medications to control the raging infection. Without such intensive veterinary care, this incredibly bred and stoic "old campaigner" would not have survived his injury. Without CANTER there to purchase him despite his severe lameness and grossly infected leg, this magnificent Thoroughbred would surely have found his way to an auction irregardless of his lifelong and impressive racing career.

Instead, Tashanic transitioned to his new home with attorney, Kammy Jo Mizga, and her family in January 2002. This once fearsome racehorse now spends his days on leisurely trail rides and as a summer CAMP HORSE for young equestrians! He is shown here in July 2002 wearing the "crown" made for him by Kammy's children and the camp children who wanted to show how special he is and it is clear they think that what they now do with Tashanic is the Sport of Kings also!

TWOSIE'S DOOZY

Twosie's Doozy is owned and loved by 13 year old Halley Sissom of Chelsea, Michigan. Halley and Twosie compete at the Training Level as members of the United States Eventing Association. Twosie has a competitive nature and excels in all phases of eventing: dressage, stadium jumping and in the cross country course where he tackles the immovable jumps with speed and ease through woods, fields and water hazards!

Typical of the versatality of the retired Thoroughbred racehorse, Halley and Twosie's Doozy are also members of her high school Equestrian Team and compete in showmanship, huntseat and dressage equitation, bareback and equitation over fences and helped their team win the Class C State Championship in 2000.

Halley and Twosie are also active 4 H Club members and after winning the blue ribbons in English pleasure classes, Twosie now sports a Western saddle and the pair are competing in Western classes! Twosie's Doozy is a perfect example of the many careers that await our retiring racehorses - especially that of beloved pet!

This stunning dark brown mare, Clever Miss Cox, was actively racing until October of 2001 when she was purchased by CANTER for $400 at an on-site track auction. She is now owned and loved by Melissa Abel of Wayland, Michigan. Clever Miss Cox transitioned so quickly to barrel racing that this year she is competing successfully in open speed shows and the pair plan to begin barrel racing with the NBHA next year Thoroughbreds have a much earned reputation for versatility and the ability to excel at any discipline and no horse proves it better than our Clever Miss Cox!

B. SCHOOR

Currently available for purchase through CANTER is this beautiful chestnut Louisiana bred gelding, B. Schoor. Little Delaney Schindler and B. Schoor are best of friends since B. Schoor has been receiving foster care at her parents' farm. Racing from age 3 through 5, this sweet and friendly gelding was purchased by CANTER when he ended his racing career at Great Lakes Downs in Michigan. Although x-rays revealed an old healed fracture of the ankle, B. Schoor has been approved for non-intensive use such as light/medium trail riding and low level dressage or other light flat work. His price of $1000 includes 30 days of retraining by CANTER to get him started in the right direction. He has also been tried both English and Western. Prospective new nonrace homes may contact CANTER at cantermichigan@canterusa.org for an approval questionnaire and might be lucky enough to make B. Schoor their new companion and trusted mount!

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