My Pal Jerry ran for Wasabi Ventures Stables from September 2017 through October 2018. He was retired via Beyond the Wire and now is loving life with Jessie. Keep reading to hear her latest update on this nine year old gelding.

The Best Pal

My Pal Jerry is just that, my best pal. He is always happy to see you, loves being pampered, and enjoys trying new snacks. To date I would say peanut butter crackers are his favorite.

Jerry has successfully completed three novice level events over the winter. We’ve started schooling some training level jumps, and he is eager to answer the harder questions. The plan is to do his first training level event in the spring.

Indoor horses?

He is an absolute joy in every way. If the doggie door were slightly bigger I’m sure I would find him on the couch with the dogs.

To read the previous update on Jerry, please click here.

This past weekend was Threeninetytwo’s first horse show where he completely rocked!

We did a starter combined test, and from the moment he stepped off the trailer he was pure class. Warmup was a little chaotic, but he was oblivious. Threeninetytwo kept a level head and did what we have been working on at the event as well as he does at home. I credit his excellent career as a racehorse for the workman-like way he approached the show. I’m so thankful he had such a great start.

Everyone who saw him loved him and had nice things to say about him. He put in a really solid dressage test and jumped all his little jumps clean and confident to finish fourth in a big class. He happily wore his ribbon around and came home feeling like a 5-star horse!

We are aiming for a beginner novice combined test in a few weeks before he gets some downtime through the summer. We absolutely adore him and can’t wait to see what his future brings!

Many thanks to Threeninetytwo’s owner, Katie, for this terrific update on his first horse show!

To read a previous update on Threeninetytwo, please click here. To see more photos of him, go to his Facebook album.

Formerly known as My Pal Jerry, Jerry was retired from Wasabi Ventures Stables in October 2018. Shortly after that he found his home in South Carolina. Since then he has been loving life, working with his friend and owner, Heather.

More recently, Jerry has been working with a friend of Heather’s, as Heather has been dealing with two separate injuries, which have prevented her from riding.

Jerry has been working on his jumping skills, which he enjoys very much. This eight year old gelding really enjoys learning new skills and working with a trainer.

According to Heather, Jerry is an amazing horse, who is so very loved. The club members at WV Stables would agree. My Pal Jerry always was a favorite!

To read an update on Dill, another former WVS horse, please click here.

Formerly known as Wave Jumper, this four year old filly was in the Wasabi Ventures Stables barn from 2019 until her retirement in 2021. She has now found her forever home with Samantha, who has written the following update.

Looking for a horse to call her own

I submitted an application to After the Races in late October in an effort to look at a horse listed on the site. I left the horse industry in 2013 as a barn manager of many years. Thoroughbreds, but specifically the off the track projects, were always my favorite. I helped with many projects but could never call them my own. Once my application was submitted, I followed up with ATR intently until my application was approved. I didn’t even think to look anywhere else– because fate has a way of doing that.

Almost immediately after getting approval, I saw two new horses step off the trailer at ATR. Wave Jumper was one of them. Initially, I thought, WOW that is one beautiful horse, but then proceeded to talk myself out of her, because I had it in my mind that a “fresh” off the track horse would be so much more problematic than I could handle.

Within days, my mom dropped everything to go with me and look at the new prospects. The other new retiree was already adopted leaving Wave Jumper. She was placed in the round pen at ATR for the first time. She had so much movement and poise, yet overwhelming softness in her eye. Needless to say, I was in love. She had it all.

Bringing Beauty home

I barely slept that night, and returned the next day to bring her home. When thinking of a name, I just kept thinking of her beauty. So, her barn name became Beauty. She was turned out immediately with a run-in. I stocked up on alfalfa/orchard hay and started her on alfalfa pellets. My mom provided her mineral “K.I.S Trace” and Basic Equine Health for ulcers. We pulled her shoes a week later, and she has been living a very relaxed life since. Her farrier comments each trim how great her hooves are.

While she is enjoying much time off, she reminds me daily that she is still very athletic while maintaining her kindness. This spring, we will begin dressage training. I may attempt jumping eventually, but I see so much dressage potential in her that I plan to focus on that. Most of all, she brings so much healing to someone who was not sure if she would ever work with an OTTB horse again.

As a mom of two, she has molded into our family and the daily routine. My 15 month old gets the biggest smile in Beauty’s presence and automatically pets her very gently. My 4 year old proudly tells everyone about her and how happy she makes mom. Everything just came naturally and continues to come naturally. While we have had some minor transitioning woes, she has been the most self-preserving OTTB that I have had the joy of working with. Best of all, I can finally call her my own and safe to say she is part of the family.

To read more OTTB updates, please click here.

Timber, who was formerly known as Intrepid Forest, ran for Wasabi Ventures Stables in 2019. After an unsuccessful attempt to start her career as a broodmare, she transitioned from racing to second career with Abbie Fischer. Abbie found Timber’s forever home with Brooke.

Timber’s new best friend, Brooke, has been busy teaching her new roles. Timber and Brooke have moved up in the jumper competitions. Timber also has started trying hunters. Additionally, they competed in their first ever derby in September.

Timber jumping

Timber and Brooke are finding some success in the ring. They were the itty bitty series champions out of more than thirty competitors at The Ridge.

This is just another reason why we love following our WVS horses after they retire from racing. It is so rewarding to see that Timber has found a friend with whom she can learn new skills and enjoy her forever home.