Fairytale Ending: Kick-Starting Show Season

Caitlin Brady and her Thoroughbred Makeover horse Azorian attended his first rated show! Caitlin reflects on what she’s learned in the retraining process so far.

John Karasch Photography of Aiken, SC

Caitlin Brady is blogging for HN throughout the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. If you missed her first article, you can catch up here!

From Caitlin:

It has been a very busy two weeks for Azorian and I as we are coming off a very exciting weekend at Tryon International Equestrian Center. This past weekend we attended the Summer Dressage Series competing in Training 1 and Training 2, placing 1st and 2nd. This was a very big deal for Azorian as this was his first rated big-boy show we have attended to date. Azorian was very unsure of his surroundings, but I adapted to his insecurities and worked through them and we put out a great second test! Overall it was a great experience and a great learning/teaching experience for the both of us. I could not be more proud of him! It is always exciting exposing him to new surroundings and doing new things. Azorian is such a trooper for putting up with everything I throw at him and that is what I love the most about him.

Kristine Brady of Beaufort, SC

In other news, we also competed in Azorian’s first combined test. We had not done a complete jumping course and had just done some here-and-there jumps and some gymnastics. Dressage was a little sketchy, but not our worst — he just needed to loosen up some and relax. We did a two foot course and though we had some rails I couldn’t be more pleased with him. We went home with more experience then what we came with and that was the goal! Every show is a learning experience to take something away and learn from. Azorian and I will be heading back to Tryon International at the end of the month to compete in the August Jumper Series!

John Karasch Photography of Aiken, SC

I cannot begin to express enough how much this journey has opened so many doors! I cannot go without saying that I owe a lot of thanks to my Makeover supporters that have helped me: without them this journey would not be possible. A special thank you to New Vocations Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Banks Mill Feeds, Aiken Saddlery, Roger’s Feed, Accuhorsemat and Total Saddle Fit. With their support Azorian and I are able to make this journey to Kentucky!

Keep following our journey here on Horse Nation and at on Facebook at Caitlin Brady Eventing. I would also love to see all of your OTTBs!

Go riding! #FairytaleEnding

Caitlin is a Clemson University 2014 graduate. Currently living in Aiken, South Carolina, Caitlin is working as a professional show jumper groom. Interests include transitioning off-the-track thoroughbreds for new careers.