Welcome to Willowbrooke, Fancy Boy!

It's finally happened - I am officially a horse owner! After working at Willowbrooke Farm for almost three years and telling others that "I just haven't found the right horse yet," or "I'm just too busy to have my own project horse," I finally adopted an off-the-track-thoroughbred named...Fancy Boy!

Since being accepted to participate in the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park in October 2016, I have been on the lookout for a partner for this competition. Riding and teaching full time as Willowbrooke's professional rider certainly keeps me busy, but I've always wanted to bring along my own project horse as well. My acceptance into the Challenge was all the excuse I needed to start horse shopping!

Fancy, a 7 year old, 16 hand liver chestnut gelding, came to our farm through the CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) Program in Michigan a few weeks ago. Willowbrooke partnered with CANTER last year to provide housing and training to OTTBs donated to their program. After spending some time with him to get a feel for his personality and potential, I filled out CANTER's adoption form. A short waiting period to be approved as an adopter by CANTER and a few checks later, Fancy Boy officially became a Kumpar!

My plan for Fancy is simple: give him time to be a horse. I'm not in a hurry to begin his training, as I feel that all OTTBs need some vacation time once they come off the track to simply enjoy being a horse. So, for at least the next month, Fancy's schedule will be turnout, grooming, and cookies.