Catching up

I want a giant poster of this. Epic.

Phew, time for a quick wrap up. Over the weekend, I attended the Retired Racehorse Training Program Symposium at Pimlico racetrack. Opened in 1870, Pimlico gives off the same eerie feeling that one might get at great ballpark like Wrigley Field. The place exudes atmosphere and history. With only a few hundred people there for the symposium, it was an odd juxtaposition being in such a grand place that was otherwise deserted.

3rd floor betting room -- ghost town

If I closed my eyes I could hear the bustle of bets being made, arguments over winnings, talks about sires and jockeys, cheers as the horses tore past the post and the faint smell of cigarette smoke and beer. The photographer in me wanted to stay all day and photograph the cavern-like spaces that are typically bustling with crowds. I'll admit, I'm completely drawn to places that feel (or actually are in fact) abandoned and have a story to tell. Now I want to visit all the old tracks after their meets are over! I arrived early on Sunday to spend some time helping my friend with her lovely mare so I could get some photos of them warming up in the morning. As I pulled in I saw Rebecca Bowman coming back from the track with her RRTP horse, Riddle... bride-less. Yes, an OTTB sauntering along toward the stables without a care in the world while she texted from his back! So awesome!

No big deal.

Because I can be painfully shy, I stuck to Emily's stall area for most of the morning before venturing out for a little exploring. She was stabled next to Allie Knowles who was so lovely and friendly and had gorgeous horses to boot (and no, I didn't say hello, because again... shy). I did pet and say hello to lots of ponies though, and I wish I had photo documentation, but something horrible happened to my memory card (I still don't want to talk about it) and I lost two-thirds of my photos from Sunday. I watch Emily warm up Prima in the little arena they made on the track. It was right by the finish line which was so iconic, she looked fantastic and right at home! Emily had mentioned that some of the horses got really revved up by the atmosphere and being back at the track, but all it did for Prima was highlight her athleticism.

I did manage to salvage a few photos from Prima's session in the afternoon, and I might be a little bit biased, but she was by far one of the nicest horses of the day!

Warm up trot. Emily was even had a headset on so she could narrate her ride!

Such a gorgeous mare.

Showing off over a warm up cross rail!

Coming out of a line. Perfect!

I'm so proud of Emily and all the work she's done with this mare. She's come a long way in just 4 months!

The only other photos that came out (hopefully I can recover more this week) were of Jessica Bortner-Harris and Bug (Win the War), who I am totally obsessed with. they did a little demo on Sunday of OTTBs turned eventers and she blew everyone away jumping huge XC jumps in a tiny space. Bug was more than game and pinging around like it was a walk in the park.

I love how you can see the moment on the jumbotron too (Also, RRTP and Eventing Nation used my photo!!!!)

Rocket boosters enabled.

I watched the rest of the afternoon makeover horses and they had a few special exhibitions including a group of OTTB foxhunters that came flying around the track with hounds!

They dragged fox scent around the track for the hounds to pursue.

The huntsman was an awesome Irish fellow.

Also, this girl was my hero for the day:

WIN.

It was a beautiful day with gorgeous horses of varying disciplines. It was so encouraging to see how versatile OTTBs can be.