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LOPE is a nonprofit organization devoted to preparing at-risk racehorses for new careers, while inspiring young people through horsemanship education. We have launched a new summer internship for young adult horsemen and horsewomen who aspire to become professionals in the horse industry. Description and Duties Candidate Requirements Top consideration will be given to: Candidates in [...]
Shadow Warrior has had some difficult experiences in his life. Bred in KY, he raced 13 times there — and then went to Puerto Rico, where he ran 70 times in four years. In September 2017, two hurricanes devastated Puerto Rico. The racetrack barns were severely damaged — and several hundred racehorses (including Shadow) were [...]
Overview Many deserving OTTBs are overlooked due to minor issues that limit them to flatwork or low jumping only. The OTTBs with some limitations (due to sports injuries and/or conformation issues) often have a negative image as being flawed or unsuitable mounts. They can need initial rehabilitation followed by consistent conditioning and retraining — which [...]
Eliza: The importance of emotional discipline “One of the most valuable things I’ve learned yet is how to control my emotions when working through challenges with a horse. Often times, before working with my current project horse Eli, I would find my self struggling to stay positive when I faced difficulties with my own horse.” [...]
Our junior interns will be posting regularly on the LOPE blog. Below is the first post in the series (by Eliza Jones). Eliza is committed to good horsemanship. She has ridden in multiple clinics with Buck Brannaman. Her horse (Jammer) has benefited greatly from Eliza’s dedication, patience and skill as a rider and steward. Welcome, [...]
On February 18-19, JD Badertscher of J3 Performance Horses held a Colt Starting Clinic to benefit LOPE. All proceeds went to the care of Flavor, a special racing warrior who recently arrived at LOPE. Alex Myers is a LOPE intern and a young professional horse trainer. She is working with LOPE as a Horsemanship Scholar. [...]
In the past, I’ve had a conflicted relationship with Buck Brannaman clinics. On the one hand, I love the caliber of horsemanship and elegance that Buck presents. I can watch Buck ride all day (no mean feat for someone as physically restless and bleacher seat intolerant as me). The camaraderie of the riders and auditors [...]
A generous sponsor donated a spot for LOPE in Peter Campbell’s clinic earlier this month. I signed up for the Colt Starting class and brought a horse that had been returned to LOPE by his adopters (due to unexpected changes in their situation). By their account, the horse had been in professional training earlier and [...]
The “Colt” Witt’s Midway was adopted from LOPE in the fall of 2013. We had ridden him a few times before he was adopted. Witt impressed us with his confident, friendly personality. He was uncomplicated to ride and a pleasure to have at our ranch. To no one’s surprise here, an experienced and caring horse [...]
When I rode Witt way back in 2013, he was a happy-go-lucky, friendly horse. He showed no signs of aggression and handled his first post-track rides easily. The word that comes to mind is “uncomplicated” — and that is exactly the opposite of what I saw at the first day of the clinic. The people [...]
A LOPE celebrity is coming out of retirement to help with our warhorse program! Tulsa Mambo was the first warhorse to ever come to LOPE, way back in the day. He helped launch LOPE and was one of our most trusted herd babysitters. His current family has had some massive life changes -- and LOPE had a job opening for a companion horse/herd den mom. Tulsa earned his VIP status by having an entire CHAPTER devoted to him in my book (Beyond the Homestretch). The book hit the Dallas and Austin bestseller lists -- and Tulsa likes to take credit for that (because of course he thinks his chapter was the best). Stay tuned for more updates about Tulsa soon!
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