Declan’s Moon is a current graduate from a unique program that is aptly called Retired Racehorse Training Program’s 100-Day Challenge. The program takes retired Thoroughbred racehorses and iin a 100-day training period, each horse learns the basics of a new riding discipline.
For his graduation, Declan’s Moon performed in an exhibition at Caves Farm, Baltimore, Maryland over the weekend.
The undefeated juvenile star, together with trainer and rider Steuart Pittman, went through his paces and jumped a small fence for the audience in the indoor arena.
Declan’s Moon was really catching his stride when his performance went tackless. He had learned his lessons very well and the spectators showed him that they were very impressed with applause. He worked through floating trots and rolling, natural gallops without a rider, and he performed flawlessly.
He was proud to share the stage with his classmates Gunport, Suave Jazz and Alluring Punch. Each horse was a racehorse previously and was now showing adapability, talent, and willingness to learn, but mostly proving how versatile the Thoroughbred can really be when given opportunity. The ceremony marked the end of each horse’s classes.
The other program participant horses were being offered for sale, but not Declan’s Moon. While his training is complete, and he most successfully aced all expectations, Declan’s Moon is not for sale. According to his owner, the 11-year-old Declan’s Moon is going back home to an easy and early retirement at Country Life Farm.
“Declan’s Moon won’t go on to another career, he’ll go back to his field as an example, perhaps THE example of the Thoroughbred’s true value,” says his owner. “When someone is at a loss for what to do with an ex-racehorse, maybe they’ll think of Declan’s Moon and get to work. He was as fast as any in his crop, as brilliant early as any 2-year-old. He spent five years in a field, doing nothing. And still learned to do something else.”
Declan’s Moon deserves the good life.
Source: Paulick Report
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