2008: All Stories
A Word from the New Counselor
Since my transfer to JRWC from Deep Meadow Correctional Center, it has been a delight to work with the representatives of TRF and the offenders in the program. My first assignment was to plan our second annual Open House, which was a huge success! Warden Lester and I have great visions for where the Greener Pastures Horse Program can go. With the help of DOC staff and TRF, hopefully our dreams can come to fruition.
This program is a fabulous display as to how the community and the Department of Corrections can work together to achieve a high level of care for the retired thoroughbred race horses and teach our selected offenders a valuable trade to use upon release. Thanks to all who help to make this program a success!
Brandy Nixon
Case Management Counselor
Greener Pastures Institutional Coordinator
James River Work Center
Open House
Greener Pastures celebrated its first birthday with an Open House to thank volunteers and contributors to the program. About 80 people from DOC and the community attended the event at Barn 4. Counselor Brandy Nixon and Correctional Officer Jesse Barker oversaw landscaping and preparation of the barn area while the inmate-trainees prepared the horses for their day in the spotlight.
The program began with remarks from Warden Layton Lester, who has been very supportive of Greener Pastures. Also William Crenshaw, director of the Work Center, talked about the establishment and success of the project on his watch. Robin Williams made brief remarks about the value of the prison programs in caring for TRF-rescued horses.
Then Brandy Nixon introduced the men and their horses. Each man presented “his” horse and made a few remarks about the program, then described the racing career of the horse. The horses were sparkling and they behaved well in front of the crowd. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed ham biscuits and birthday cake, courtesy of JRCC.
Special visitors included representatives from the Maryland Department of Corrections. They were inspecting the facilities and the program in preparation for the establishment of a TRF Second Chances program in Maryland. They reported being very impressed – as well they should be!
On display were the new posters and display materials designed by Debbie Thomas and Chris Wynn. Lee Howell dressed up the tables with flower arrangements.
Greener Pastures Logo
In addition to being an eager student in the Greener Pastures program, Sean McClure is a talented tattoo artist, and he has created a logo for the Greener Pastures program. The logo features a man brushing a horse standing in a green pasture with a tree. Sean painted the logo on a sign that is mounted on the front of Barn 4. He also stenciled a horse’s head on the back of the washrack to match the carving he did on a pumpkin for the Open House.
Debbie Hamman Joins TRF
The TRF-James River chapter has grown and so has its primary project, Greener Pastures, so we have hired a part time employee. Debbie Hamman is a lifelong horsewoman who also has great sales and marketing experience. She is in training to become a Groom Elite-certified instructor. She serves as a backup instructor and barn manager for Correctional Officer Jesse Barker, giving some relief to volunteer Polly Bauhan. In addition, she is assisting Robin Williams with record-keeping and paperwork.
Debbie and Robin can both be reached at our email address: statefarmhorses@aol.com.
Talk of the Block
Early in October, we got an email about a horse who went through the notorious Sugarcreek auction in Ohio. Gail Vacca, a trainer in the Midwest, purchased Talk of the Block – “Toby” – privately from the slaughter agent who bought him at the auction. She gave him a $50 premium. Because the horse was a stallion, she could not send him to a foster home. She boarded him at an Arabian breeding facility in SW Virginia until John Rainey, a TRF board member in South Carolina, heard about him and asked if TRF-James River could take him.
We decided taking a stallion would be a good challenge for our trainees. Mark Burke, owner of Amethyst Acres, where the horse was being boarded, generously delivered Toby at no charge on Monday, October 6.
Tom Newton castrated the horse the next day with help from the men. Toby must be segregated from the herd for 60 days, until the hormones clear his system, but he has been let down and turned out in a paddock by himself.
Toby is a small but very attractive dark brown horse with a lovely disposition and chips in his knees. By Louis Quatorze, he is seven years old and raced 49 times with $68,000 in earnings to show for it.
Polo Match and Auction
Goochland Free Clinic shares a number of volunteers with the TRF-James River, and one of them, Liz Rider, had the wonderful idea of creating a little synergy in fundraising with the two organizations. We had a table at the polo match last year and did so again this year, selling tickets to the Barn Tour the following weekend and putting our materials on display.
This year we were invited to contribute items to the polo party auction, with the idea that the two organizations would split the revenue. TRF arranged for the Breeders’ Cup to donate two tickets to its championship event at Santa Anita (Oct. 24-25) which GFC paired with donated Air Tran tickets for a travel package. Additionally, at Liz’s suggestion, we “donated” a horse. One of our nice Goochland neighbors now “owns” one of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s celebrity horses for a year.
According to the bid document, “Ownership comes with bragging rights but without the hassle of mucking stalls or buying hay. Your horse will be boarded in the professional barn and bucolic surroundings of James River Work Center in Goochland at no additional cost. He will be cared for by certified grooms who will have him gleaming for your visits. You can come watch your horse used in a training session with Dr. Reid McLellan, director of the nationally-recognized Groom Elite certification program used to train the inmates. Ownership certificate comes with a photographic portrait of you and your horse.”
July 18, 2008: TRF Celebrates Double Anniversary with Penny Chenery
Penny Chenery, the first lady of racing, came to Colonial Downs July 18 to celebrate with us the 25th anniversary of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the 35th anniversary of Secretariat’s amazing Triple Crown triumph. The double anniversary party was the lead-in to Colonial Down’s Virginia Derby weekend of racing.
Serious Rescue Work
Now that we have a core of trained men, we are in a position to do some real rescue work. In mid-June, TRF-James River welcomed four new horses straight off the track, including two with serious issues.
We are all appreciative of the efforts of Diane A., a backstretch worker at Delaware Park who brought to TRF’s attention the plight of Wild Eyed Dreamer and Kong’s Revenge. Diane alerted TRF executive director Diana Pikulski on a Thursday that both horses were at risk for slaughter. The trainer had decreed that if the two horses were not sound enough to train by Saturday, they would be shipped out on the first van that wanted them. The prospects for horses in that situation include the kill truck and trainers who would inject them with steroids, drop them down to the bottom ranks and grind a few more races out of them.
When Diana P. asked if TRF–James River could take them, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. We had room, but moreover, I had confidence our newly-certified Groom Elite graduates were up to the challenge. We still had to arrange transportation by Saturday, though.
Fortunately, Virginia trainer and TRF angel Stephanie Nixon stepped in. She arranged with Charlie Harding, her regular van driver, to pick up the two horses and bring them to her farm in Hanover County. Diane A. hid the horses until Charlie arrived, and the two were whisked away to Virginia, arriving late the night of June 14.
Stephanie delivered the horses to James River Work Center a few days later.
Wild Eyed Dreamer has a bowed tendon -- his second – and he is being cold-hosed, poulticed and hand-grazed. He is too lame to hand-walk, but he is still fit from racing, so letting him down while he’s on stall rest is a challenge. Will Washington and Tamio Holmes are treating him and giving him lots of attention to keep him settled. Dreamer is a stakes winner of $166,915. He is a big bay 5yo - easily the best-looking horse in the herd. Dr. Doug Daniels is hopeful he will come sound after six months rest and have a useful second career.
Kong’s Revenge is another handsome bay, a 4yo by Dixie Union. After his last start, in May, he was vanned off the track with sore knees. When he arrived at JRWC, he was still very fit. Apparently he was gelded only recently, and he was wild and studdish, kicking, biting, “acting out” his aggressions in every direction.
Tamio Holmes, a graduate of our first Groom Elite class, was intrigued by Kong and vowed to tame him. In a week, he had helped the horse settle in and was giving him some turnout time in the round pen. By the time Groom Elite director Reid McLellan arrived the second week, Kong was very receptive to a “join up” session in the round pen. Reid soon had the horse following him around without a halter just like a puppy. Kong still as a ways to go, but he is making good progress.
More Rescue Work
Stephanie Nixon and her husband, Jarrod, generously allowed TRF to briefly “park” two other racetrack retirees at their farm, Horseshoe Hill. These two arrived early in June, when Officer Barker was on vacation and Heather Mitchell had not returned from maternity leave.
Dr. Miller was named for a prominent physician at Sloan-Kettering by a grateful patient. A big chestnut by My Prince Charming, Dr. Miller was a steady but modest earner, winning $150,000 in 51 races from age two to eight. Dr. Vincent Miller followed the horse’s career and alerted the TRF to his decline this spring. After the horse had two last-place finishes, the TRF helped facilitate the horse’s retirement.
One day at Monmouth Park, Sue Moore, wife of TRF board member John Moore, noticed Multiple Choice, a 10-year-old winner of three graded stakes and nearly $700,000, was running for a $7,500 tag. Sue bought the horse, who had raced 74 times, and made a donation to retire him with us.
Dr. Miller is a big, raw-boned chestnut with a lapdog personality. He needs a lot of groceries, but the men think his gentle nature will remain, even after he gains weight and energy. He appears sound.
Dr. Miller and Multiple Choice had two weeks at Horseshoe Hill to begin letting down. Both horses settled in quickly, and after some time in a paddock together, they have been turned out with the rest of the herd. Their prospects for second careers are brighter than some, thanks to the intervention of caring people before the horses became physically incapacitated.
New Class of Groom Elite Trainees
Meanwhile, the new class of Groom Elite trainees is getting acclimated to the barn. Groom Elite graduates Tamio Holmes and Will Washington elected to stay in the program and serve as teaching assistants for Officer Jesse Barker, the instructor and supervisor of Barn 4.
The men had twelve horses from our original herd to get them broken in, plus the four new rescues. This class has their hands full in a very active barn.
Groom Elite director Dr. Reid McLellan made a visit in late June to present the introductory unit to the new class and to give everyone a demonstration in training with a round pen. Also, Polly Bauhan is organizing visits and presentations by the many skilled professionals in this area.
Ukrops Golden Gifts
Thanks to many thoughtful and generous supporters, we turned in more than 13,000 points to Ukrops by the June 14 deadline. Sometime in September, we will receive a check (amount as-yet unknown) from our generous local grocer! Thank you, Ukrops!
Ukrops' Golden Gifts - DROP DEADLINE -- June 14
Ukrops recently mailed its Golden Gifts coupons to card-holding shoppers. The TRF is registered as a beneficial charity for the coupons, so please consider donating your coupon to our program. Just mail your coupon to: Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, POB 112, Crozier, VA 23039. Please mail asap, so we can turn them in by the June 14 deadline. Thanks!
Graduation
On Wednesday, May 7, the Department of Correctional Education held its graduation exercises for men at JRCC who had completed various academic and vocational programs. Although Greener Pastures is not part of DCE, the agency graciously included the candidates for Groom Elite certification in the ceremony. Several staffers confided that Greener Pastures was considered a very highly-regarded program.
It was a red letter day to see the first class of trainees graduate, a great way to celebrate the first anniversary of the local TRF chapter. The Department put on a good show: The graduating men wore blue caps and gowns and they filed into the chapel to “Pomp and Circumstance”. The commencement address from a former inmate, now college graduate, was quite inspiring. Family members watched with pride as each man’s name was called and he received his diploma or certificate. Afterwards, there was a luncheon reception and commemorative photo session. Printed programs listed the graduates.
Local TRF director Robin Williams was invited to address the group. She told the assembly how much the Groom Elite class had learned and how far they had come since September, when the first horses arrived. “You have learned a lot besides how many teeth a horse has and how to put on a rundown bandage. Fooling with horses will teach you skills you can use the rest of your life,” she said. “Horses will teach you patience. They will teach you to think before you act.” She congratulated the men on their perseverance.
Dr. Reid McLellan will conduct the formal awarding of Groom Elite certification when he returns later this month.
Adoptions
The TRF is happy to announce that the first horses have been adopted out of the Greener Pastures program at James River Work Center.
Rob and Lynda Bloch of Crozier are generous supporters of the Foundation and they have recently extended their support to the adoption of Veteran and Yayoomel, in addition to their earlier adoption of Horse Tucker. Horse Tucker, who is off the track, came to the Blochs as a TRF-arranged adoption in November.
Veteran is a six-year-old bay gelding who will join Horse Tucker as a trail horse for the Blochs. Veteran is a bit of a mystery horse, probably not a Thoroughbred, but one who somehow sneaked onto the TRF bus in Kentucky and caught a ride to Virginia. Yayoomel is a 17-year-old dark brown mare who was foaled in Great Britain and won two races in France. She will simply be pensioned in the lush paddocks at the Bloch’s home, “Riversbend”. Devereux, a 15-year-old dark brown gelding with an arthritic ankle, has been adopted by Pam Harvey and Troy Peery, also great supporters of the TRF.
Devereux will soon be moved to their King George County farm, where he will join other pensioners and rescued horses who flourish under Pam’s loving and comprehensive care.
According to our horse researcher, Anne Tucker, Devereux raced for six years, earning $250,000. His best year was in 2000, when, at seven, he won four races, equaled a course record at Pimlico and set a new course record at Colonial Downs. The following year he was winless and had earnings of $1,130, so that is apparently when his ankle flared up.
In the next few weeks, the TRF will replace the adoptees with new horses at JRWC. The inmates say they are eager for new challenges.
First release
The first Groom Elite graduate to be released will be Harry, who has been rubbing Nojailfortheheffer, a chestnut gelding he taught to “laugh” on cue. The TRF will be assisting him with job placement in the horse industry, if he desires. We all wish him well as he goes forward with new skills and a determination to succeed.
Website make-over
Be sure to check out our website – JamesRiverHorses.org – from time to time for the latest news and updates. Our webmaster, Linda MacCleave, has recently given the site a makeover, and we have added more photos and stories about the horses and men at JRWC. We have also posted our board members with information and pictures.
Check the calendar for TRF events – come out and support us or volunteer to help. We have striking new posters to advertise our program, and we have beautiful notecards to sell. The notecards feature a photograph by Debby Thomas of one of the horses at JRWC.
New addition to the “herd”
As many of you know, Heather Mitchell, the DOC counselor who manages Greener Pastures, has been expecting a baby. Heather’s baby got so excited about all the news at JRWC that she decided to come early. She was born on Tuesday, May 6. Mother and daughter doing well, father still in awe. We wish the new family health and happiness – and a good night’s sleep.
Letter to the Editor
The Richmond Times-Dispatch recently had the temerity to suggest that a budget request for full funding of a DOC position as Greener Pastures’s coordinator might be “pork." It was an opportunity for us to tout the value of the program, which is otherwise privately-funded.
For our reply, which appeared in the paper on May 1, go to the paper’s website, inRich.com to see the May 1 Correspondent of the Day letter.
Secretariat grandson goes "home"
We got to share the limelight with the State Fair of Virginia on April 22 when SFVA held its official groundbreaking at the new fair site in Doswell. SFVA bought The Meadow, former home of the Chenery family and birthplace of Secretariat, and hopes to have the facility ready for the 2009 fair.
Curry Roberts of SFVA invited Covert Action, grandson of Secretariat, to help with the groundbreaking. He introduced the horse, saying he was happily retired at James River Correctional Center, which got a big laugh from the crowd (100-150 people).
TRF volunteer Stephanie Nixon, an owner-breeder-trainer, devoted her entire day to taking Covert Action to the event, showing him off, and returning him safely home. The exposure for our program was wonderful!
The guys had the horse immaculate and he was a gentleman. He only got worried one time, when he saw the two enormous draft mules pulling the plow for the groundbreaking. After we assured him that was not his fate, he settled down.
Covert Action spent most of the day in the stall formerly occupied by his grandfather, Secretariat, and he was quite at home in it. He also had his picture taken with Congressman Rob Wittman. All in all, Covert Action was comfortable with his celebrity, which is great, because he will undoubtedly get more invitations to appear in public.
Many thanks to Stephanie Nixon (and her sidekick, Stephanie).
April 2008 - News from Barn 4
Our Second Chances program at James River Work Center is going great!! We currently have 14 horses, all of whom are being cared for exceptionally well. Our grooms are very enthusiastic and have done well so far.
Patty’s Storm has become quite a lady thanks to Henry Saulter. He has a calming effect on her. If you remember, she was a biter and a frequent kicker when she first arrived, but Henry has a hidden “horse whisperer” talent. His other mare, Romancerea has been nicknamed the Angelina Jolie of the herd.
Our newest groom, Bruce Walton also has a calming effect on his horses-Doctor Aloha and Veteran. Before Bruce started working with him, Doc would kick at him when he tried to pick his feet, but now, he is ready and willing to pick up his leg before Bruce even asks.
Kippy’s Nancy and Colebrook Lake continue to receive a beauty treatment daily with their groom, Ryan Carroll. He has learned to French braid their tails and “Wow! It looks incredible!” Upon arrival, Colebrook wouldn’t let Ryan touch his ears, now Ryan is able to brush them and clean them daily without any problems. Colebrook actually loves his ears rubbed.
William Washington has become quite an expert in our round pen. He also has a way with his horses that is impressive. Will can “tame” any challenging horse and lounge him effectively with or without the lounge line. Will is also the groom with the superior eye. If he finds a bump, he immediately wants to know what it is.
The face of Greener Pastures, Tamio Holmes has taught his horses, Covert Action and Keys to Casablanca to bow, move over without touching them, and have them follow him without a lead rope. He has calmed Keys to Casablanca AKA “KeKe” down considerably. She was a wild girl when she arrived, but now she understands that Tamio is her leader.
Harry Blaine continues to make NoJailfortheHeffer smile on a daily basis. He tells NoJail jokes, which makes him laugh. Harry will be the first of this group to go home. He will be a good indication of the success this program will have in making these men law-abiding citizens.
Our grooms have been very busy studying for the cumulative test (Chapters 1-10) in preparation for Dr. Reid McClellan’s visit April 1-3. All 6 of the men did excellent!! They all made an 83 or higher. I should mention that the one that made the 83 has only been in the program for a month!! We give a lot of credit to their success to all our devoted volunteers who came in and facilitated our chapters from the Groom Elite Curriculum. I believe having “experts” from the field has been an asset to their learning experience.
We have also been assessing the grooms for their hands-on portion of the exam. They are also doing well with that. They are wrapping legs using rundown bandages, vet wrap, polos, and shipping bandages while being asked questions in regards to the curriculum. They all understand how to check for gut sounds, respiration, heart beat, dehydration, and are able to identify leg injuries.
I invite you to come visit us at James River. The result that these horses have on these men is astonishing. To look at these men and think about them on day one with Shelby and compare them to today, it is absolutely remarkable! The men are more confident in their conversation, they are proud of themselves, their horse and school accomplishments. They understand responsibility and they are growing every day into better men. Greener Pastures is giving these men Second Chances thanks to the support of the TRF.
Heather Mitchell Coordinator, “Greener Pastures” March 31, 2008