A CHILD’S GIFT
Jul 23, 2014 21:25:01 GMT -5
Post by racinggal on Jul 23, 2014 21:25:01 GMT -5
This is a nice story. What a lucky little girl and a very lucky thoro. Isn't it unusual for a thoro to be gentle enough for a child to ride?
A CHILD’S GIFT
by Jen Roytz
The Paulick Report
Katie Peery is a life-long horse-lover. Growing up in California, she rode eventers and loved racing, often going to Santa Anita with her mom to watch the races or morning workouts.
“I loved horses from the time I was born and was riding before I could walk,” she explained. “I endlessly watched The Black Stallion as a kid and eventually turned my love of horses into a profession, training and teaching lessons. In 2007, I took a job at Portland Meadows so I could have an ‘in’ to buy Thoroughbreds to train and resell, and while there I met my husband, horseman and trainer Kenny Peery.”
With horse genes running so strong between the two of them, it’s no wonder their daughter Elizabeth had her first saddle before the day she was born — and as of her eighth birthday this week — her first off-track Thoroughbred.
The horse lucky enough to be loved by this sweet young girl is a four-year-old filly named Krypto Magic. “Krypto,” as she’s known around the barn, is a kind, dapple grey filly bred in British Columbia. She began her racing career at Hastings Park, winning in her fourth start as a two-year-old.
By 2013, she was running for a $3,500 claiming tag and was purchased by Katie’s clients, Brad Auger, Ron Bacon and 3480 Equine LLP and put in training with Katie.
“We raced her five times, from which she ran one third, three seconds and a win!” said Katie. “Her win was my first win as a licensed trainer, which made it extra special.”
Elizabeth loves going to the barn with Katie and her father and gentle, beautiful Krypto was her favorite horse from the moment Elizabeth laid eyes on her.
She cheered her on in her races, and when the filly came up with an injury and needed to be rested and rehabilitated at Katie and Kenny’s farm, Elizabeth was always making sure the filly had all the attention she could ask for.
“Elizabeth enjoyed watching all of Krypto’s races and had fun with her during her layoff this spring,” said Katie. “Krypto is so kind and quiet. She’s super to work with on the ground, and I used to teach people to gallop on her due to her gentle nature.”
When it was time to start legging Krypto back up for a return to work, Katie and the owners made the decision to retire Krypto and focus on making her into a riding horse.
“Elizabeth began riding her last month when her owners and I decided not to return her to racing,” said Katie. “She was briefly for sale, but after watching the confidence Krypto gave Elizabeth and the love they share, I spoke with her owners and we discussed a way to keep Krypto for her.”
On Tuesday, the family celebrated Elizabeth’s eighth birthday with their friends and family. The theme was zebras, the cake was chocolate with pink frosting, and Elizabeth smiled as she opened all of her gifts. After Elizabeth thought she’d opened her last gift, she was told there was one final present for her to receive, and she was handed the lead rope attached to Krypto, who was wearing a pink bow on her halter.
“What better present than an OTTB? I don’t often suggest a horse fresh off the track for a child, but in this case there is an incredible bond between my daughter and Krypto from the ground up. Krypto has this ‘kid mode’ when Elizabeth or my other daughter, five-year-old Pipa, are around her,” explained Katie.
Elizabeth plans to ride Krypto with her local Pony Club chapter this year and can’t wait to learn to jump. Katie says the filly is truly a member of the family and will hopefully be the horse that takes both of her girls through their riding endeavors as they grow up.
“Off-track Thoroughbreds have been a passion of mine and now for Elizabeth,” said Katie. They have such a desire to please, and Krypto just slows everything down for the kids and acts like a dead-broke pony.”
A CHILD’S GIFT
by Jen Roytz
The Paulick Report
Katie Peery is a life-long horse-lover. Growing up in California, she rode eventers and loved racing, often going to Santa Anita with her mom to watch the races or morning workouts.
“I loved horses from the time I was born and was riding before I could walk,” she explained. “I endlessly watched The Black Stallion as a kid and eventually turned my love of horses into a profession, training and teaching lessons. In 2007, I took a job at Portland Meadows so I could have an ‘in’ to buy Thoroughbreds to train and resell, and while there I met my husband, horseman and trainer Kenny Peery.”
With horse genes running so strong between the two of them, it’s no wonder their daughter Elizabeth had her first saddle before the day she was born — and as of her eighth birthday this week — her first off-track Thoroughbred.
The horse lucky enough to be loved by this sweet young girl is a four-year-old filly named Krypto Magic. “Krypto,” as she’s known around the barn, is a kind, dapple grey filly bred in British Columbia. She began her racing career at Hastings Park, winning in her fourth start as a two-year-old.
By 2013, she was running for a $3,500 claiming tag and was purchased by Katie’s clients, Brad Auger, Ron Bacon and 3480 Equine LLP and put in training with Katie.
“We raced her five times, from which she ran one third, three seconds and a win!” said Katie. “Her win was my first win as a licensed trainer, which made it extra special.”
Elizabeth loves going to the barn with Katie and her father and gentle, beautiful Krypto was her favorite horse from the moment Elizabeth laid eyes on her.
She cheered her on in her races, and when the filly came up with an injury and needed to be rested and rehabilitated at Katie and Kenny’s farm, Elizabeth was always making sure the filly had all the attention she could ask for.
“Elizabeth enjoyed watching all of Krypto’s races and had fun with her during her layoff this spring,” said Katie. “Krypto is so kind and quiet. She’s super to work with on the ground, and I used to teach people to gallop on her due to her gentle nature.”
When it was time to start legging Krypto back up for a return to work, Katie and the owners made the decision to retire Krypto and focus on making her into a riding horse.
“Elizabeth began riding her last month when her owners and I decided not to return her to racing,” said Katie. “She was briefly for sale, but after watching the confidence Krypto gave Elizabeth and the love they share, I spoke with her owners and we discussed a way to keep Krypto for her.”
On Tuesday, the family celebrated Elizabeth’s eighth birthday with their friends and family. The theme was zebras, the cake was chocolate with pink frosting, and Elizabeth smiled as she opened all of her gifts. After Elizabeth thought she’d opened her last gift, she was told there was one final present for her to receive, and she was handed the lead rope attached to Krypto, who was wearing a pink bow on her halter.
“What better present than an OTTB? I don’t often suggest a horse fresh off the track for a child, but in this case there is an incredible bond between my daughter and Krypto from the ground up. Krypto has this ‘kid mode’ when Elizabeth or my other daughter, five-year-old Pipa, are around her,” explained Katie.
Elizabeth plans to ride Krypto with her local Pony Club chapter this year and can’t wait to learn to jump. Katie says the filly is truly a member of the family and will hopefully be the horse that takes both of her girls through their riding endeavors as they grow up.
“Off-track Thoroughbreds have been a passion of mine and now for Elizabeth,” said Katie. They have such a desire to please, and Krypto just slows everything down for the kids and acts like a dead-broke pony.”