26th Galbreath Recipient Steve Day: President & CEO of Dover Saddlery

“I have a confession. I am a serial entrepreneur.” This is how Steve Day, President and CEO of Dover Saddlery, describes himself. Day was this year’s recipient of the Galbreath Award. It is given by the University of Louisville to someone they believe is an entrepreneur in the equine industry.

Photo from bizjournals.com

Photo from news.maryland.gov

Day started his entrepreneurial days at a young age. While attending Purdue University, he and a few friends started up a motorcycle rental. He also got a program started at Purdue where students could take horseback riding lessons and receive their physical education credit.

Day later went on to attend Harvard, but before he was accepted he found himself in a very unique position. When Day was finished with his degree and military commitment, he took a job as a riding instructor at Coach House Stables in Chicago, Illinois. One of his riding students was the wife of a man opening a resort for Playboy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Day was invited to come and start a trail riding operation, which he stayed at until his Harvard acceptance letter came.

After spending time in construction and real estate, Day turned his career back to the equine field when he heard State Line Tack was booming. He wrote a letter to the owner, Dave Post, who also started State Line Tack, about buying the company. Three weeks passed and there was no response, so Day decided to give Post a call. Post said the company was not for sale, but Day was invited to have a talk with him.

Post was very proud of his company. He told Day that if he listened to how the company was built up and the future plans for it, he may be allowed to buy it. When Day finally received permission to buy the company, he brought in five other firms to help. After four and a half years, the firms were ready to get their money back, and Day had to let the company go to PetSmart for $18 million. PetSmart wanted to put State Line Tack in their big box stores instead of separate buildings and it failed. As Day said, no one trying on expensive breeches wanted to walk through dog waste.

In 1998, Day acquired Dover Saddlery. The company made $14 million per year when he bought it and it now makes over $100 million per year with 28 stores open and each averaging $2 million in sales. Day is hoping to open up a Dover store at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, and if not there then close by.

Since the age of twelve when Day first started riding, he has always found a way to keep doing what he loves while being successful, though it wasn’t always an easy route. “Trust me, you will fail,” he said, but Day has gone on to prove that you can make a career out of your passion.

The Retirement of Miss Believin': My Once-in-a-Lifetime Horse

Every horse person dreams of having their own “once-in-a-lifetime” horse at some point. I don’t necessarily mean the greatest champion who wins countless times or who breaks many records; I mean a horse that you have a special bond with. A horse that teaches you many lessons. A horse that has helped you advance as a rider and overcome struggles, whether that be on horseback or personally. A once-in-a-lifetime horse is one that you emotionally bond with and you are completely comfortable with. I am lucky enough to say that I have found my once-in-a-lifetime.

2014 ad from Shelbyville Horse Show.

On October 27, 2007, Miss Believin’ (Bella) was presented to me with a big bow around her neck. She became the first and only show horse I have ever owned. It’s not often that a horse will carry a thirteen year old rider all the way to the ranks of the amateurs, but that is exactly what Bella did. Our first show season together was in 2008. We showed mostly in Junior Exhibitor Three Gaited and also took a couple seasons to show in Equitation. After aging out of Junior Exhibitor and into Amateur status, Bella and I switched into the Country Pleasure division for 2014 and 2015. Throughout our eight seasons together, we not only won in all three divisions, but took our turn at beating horses with World Champion titles.

2013 ad from Dayton Horse Show.

Here’s the thing about Bella. She may not have been one of the top quality horses costing six figures, but she always showed up ready. When the big dogs didn’t bring their A game, we were right there to catch them. There were always bigger and better horses at the shows, but that didn’t necessarily mean they had as much heart as the smallest mare in the class. One of Bella’s former owners, Dee Thomas, called her “small, but mighty,” and she couldn’t have been more right.

Julia Shelburne-Hitti Photo. Mercer County Fair 2015.

Our last show together was the Kentucky Fall Classic at the Horse Park earlier this month. The Bluegrass Select Series Country Pleasure Championship would be our final performance. The script could not have been written any more perfectly. Bella and I had one of our best shows together. The mare was feeling game and she did every single thing that I asked her to. Even though I was feeling great about our performance, you never how a class will be tied. When Bella and I were called as the champions of the class, the tears didn’t stop flowing. I was too ecstatic to have Bella go out on top with such a great performance. She received many well-earned hugs before we took our final victory pass together and exited the show ring for the last time.

Bella exiting the ring for the last time with her blue ribbon.

I can’t thank this mare enough for all the great years she has given me. She’s taken me to some of my favorite memories and picked me up from my low points. She’s gone from being a versatile show horse to a companion I can bareback on, and I would not be the rider I am today without her.

So here’s to a well-deserved retirement, Miss Believin’! You earned it every step of the way.

Barebacking on Bella at Kismet Farm.

World's Championship Horse Show 2015

I know I'm posting this nearly two moths later, but enjoy it anyway!

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American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, and Road Horses travelled from all over the country for the 112^th World’s Championship Horse Show. It is one of the most prestigious Saddle Seat horse shows of the year. The three World’s Grand Champion titles for the Saddlebreds (Fine Harness, Three Gaited, and Five Gaited) are the most anticipated classes of the eight day long show. Three new victors earned these titles this year. Two of them have been trying for a few years, and one a young and upcoming superstar.

 The first World’s Grand Champion title was in the Fine Harness division. Fine Harness horses are very animated and pull a four-wheeled buggy at the park trot and animated walk. At just four years old, Lady Mandolin MS (Undulata’s Nutcracker x Suddenly Summer) took this title with two first place votes from three judges. Earlier in the week she won the junior division for the mares. She was guided under the hands of Jim Stachowski (who won the honor last year with Nutcracker’s Nirvana) for owner Hellen Lacey Reed. Lady Mandolin is poetry in motion. When she enters the ring it is hard to even look at any other horse. She moves as if it is the easiest thing in the world to throw her legs above level, and she carries an air of grace as she goes.

WGC Lady Mandolin MS

The Three Gaited title went to HS Daydream’s Heads Up (Undulata’s Nutcracker x A Daydream Believer (BHF)). Scott Hagan showcased his homebred under the Silver Brook Stables banner, with Debbie Foley as the trainer. This is the fourth year Heads Up has shown in the Three Gaited championship. He was shown as a three and four year old with Tre Lee aboard and finished second both times in the class. Scott showed the gelding last year, finishing fourth. Now, in the horse’s six year old year, it seems as if the team of Heads Up and Hagan have really come together. The judges tied them 1-1-2. Heads Up exemplifies what a Three Gaited horse should be and many have followed the horse since his reserve in the Championship as a three year old. He trot is strong and fluid with a great headset to compliment it. It is hard not to look at the gelding with his neck back and high, but still carrying a perfectly rounded poll.

WGC HS Daydream's Heads Up

The crowd finally got what they have been waiting years for in the Five Gaited championship. Lionel Ferriera presented Marc of Charm (Santana’s Charm x Pretty Ribbons) for Riverdreams LLC in the finale of the show for the fifth time and finally racked his way into history. The nine year old stallion had won the junior championship as a four year old and has been trying to earn a blanket of roses since then. Six horses were called back in a workout after the class had finished. As the other horses seemed to tire out, Marc of Charm reached no bottom. Lionel Ferriera continued to show off his mount while others were gearing down on the rail. Marc of Charm grabbed the victory with two first place votes. The crowd erupted into a roar, and Marc of Charm closed out the show when he racked out of Freedom Hall with his blanket of red roses.

WGC Marc of Charm

My Triple Crown Experience (Better Late Than Never)

I’m a little late to write about the celebration, but it’s really a celebration that will never get old. For the first time in 37 years, America has a Triple Crown champion. And I don’t think it could be a more fitting horse than American Pharoah.

The first time I saw this horse in person was Kentucky Derby Day. I have lived in Louisville my entire life, but never had anyone to go to Oaks or Derby with. I attended my first Derby this year my boyfriend, Andrew, who works in the Thoroughbred industry. The horses I wanted to see in the top three were American Pharoah, Carpe Diem, and Materiality. I had the feeling that American Pharoah would be the horse to do it but couldn’t be sure. Andrew had been following Carpe Diem closely and got a button that said “MY DERBY HORSE IS CARPE DIEM.” He got me the same one, but mine read “MY DERBY HORSE IS AMERICAN PHAROAH” instead. I told him after the race that I was really glad he got me the American Pharoah one and that I wasn’t trading him.

During the first stretch, I saw that Materiality didn’t break well and lost sight of him after that. After the race turned for home, I lost sight of Carpe Diem as he began to quickly fall back. That left my eyes on American Pharoah. He was pulling away with Dortmund and Firing Line, and then it became just Firing Line left to challenge him. I was rooting on American Pharoah as they drew closer to the finish line and was excited to see him win. Then I knew who I would be cheering for in the Preakness.

I had been watching other races on the TV prior to the Preakness. I knew it was American Pharoah’s race when that downpour came. He had already proven he loved the slop when he romped in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. And sure enough, American Pharoah won it easily. The next Triple Crown winner was now on the line.

I saw American Pharoah four times when he came back to Churchill Downs to prepare for the Belmont. The track was allowing the public to come in the morning and watch the Belmont horses work. I missed American Pharoah’s first breeze and was mad I didn’t get up early enough after watching the video of it. I made sure to get back and see him after that. After all, I could be looking at a future Triple Crown winner.

The first day I saw American Pharoah work he jogged clockwise on the track with his faithful sidekick, Smokey. Pharoah was chomping at the bit and getting sideways. He wanted to do more. I also got to see him gallop twice. He would jog onto the track with Smokey and wouldn’t quit fussing with the bit until he turned around and took off at a faster pace galloping.

American Pharoah’s final breeze was really something to see. He wanted to go as soon as he got onto the track. It was incredible how much rail he passed so quickly. While every other horse looks like they are digging in, American Pharoah looks like he is skimming over the ground. He stride is long and fluid.

After watching that final breeze, I had faith that it was possible for American Pharoah to win the Triple Crown. It would be hard, as the mile and a half and short time span of the Triple Crown races have stopped many before, but I knew American Pharoah could do it if he brought his A game. The horse chomped at the bit until he was at least in a gallop while working. He was not showing any signs of fatigue. He still wore his happy ears too. That was another indication to me that he felt good. 

This was totally worth standing out in the rain for.

I was at the Rock Creek Horse Show during the time of the Belmont. There was a small TV mounted outside the ring on the stands for the cameras filming the show for live feed. Normally it showed the live feed, but it had been turned to the Belmont on this particular night. Most of the show was gathered around this small TV with a bad glare from the sun. It was just clear enough to make out. My trainer had just showed my horse and of course I was there to see and find out the results, so standing in front of the TV was not going to be an option since the crowd had already gathered. I got the idea to squeeze through the crowd with some of my barn family members and crouch down so I wasn’t blocking anyone’s view. This also helped to take away some of the glare. My friend, Kaeli, and I held hands during the race to try and calm the nerves. There were people cheering for American Pharoah saying “C’mon” before the gates opened. The cheers and yells got more and more hectic as the race went on. By the end everyone was screaming for this horse and when he crossed the line first the screams continued. My barn family and I were hugging. I couldn’t help but cry. I never thought I would see a Triple Crown winner in my life time. And I had seen this horse in person too. I’m convinced that if I couldn’t be at Belmont to watch in person, then being at Rock Creek and watching with the crowd at the show was the second best place to be.

I’m even happier now that Andrew got me that American Pharoah button at Derby. And I’m still never trading him.

The Pharoah Reigns

Small but Mighty

The University of Louisville's Saddle Seat team may have had a small team this year, but they didn't let that affect them at the Intercollegiate Saddle Seat Riding Association championships. The team not only put hours into practicing equitation and drilling patterns, but spent a great deal of time planning for the show to host it. On April 4th, UofL's team packed up everything and headed to the Kentucky Horse Park. They brought home more than just horses and equipment though. A sense of pride came back with them as well.

Graduating riders, Kristen Smith and Jenny McGowan (a medical school student), finished first and second respectively in the open rail class to kick off the show and Christine Oser placed second in open limit rail. These three later showed in the open/open limit pattern class where Christine placed first, Kristen third, and Jenny fourth. Riders Tori Gray and Emily Robinson competed in the novice rail and novice pattern classes. Tori won both classes, making her senior high point rider of the show. Emily finished a strong third and second in the same classes. Alex Sowell, showing in the advanced rail and pattern classes, finished first and third. To top things off, their coach, Deveau Zubrod Kreitzer, won the coaches class with ease.

After points were calculated, UofL's team picked up several year-end awards. To add to her senior high point win of the day, Tori also won reserve senior rider of the year and reserve novice rider of the year. Jenny was the open/open limit high point rider of the year and Christine was right behind her in reserve. Alex finished as high point rider for the advance division. UofL's team also showed well enough to be the reserve high point team of the show, despite only having six riders.

UofL’s team improved greatly throughout the year. Every rider finished with at least one second or first at the championship show. The team may have been small, but they certainly were mighty. Not only did they have strong rides, but they had a strong team spirit. It will be hard to replicate another team as special as this one.

The two Zubrod boys I showed, Colty and Archie.

Tori after her first win with Darcy.

Jenny, Alex, Emily sharing some pizza with Zubrod boys Archie, Oscar, and Colty.

Jenny and Butch.

Emily and Liza.

UofL's Saddle Seat team: Jenny, Christine (me), Alex, Emily, Tori, Kristen, and coach Deveau.

My pattern win with Colty.

Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

After two days of pouring rain in Kentucky, I had the pleasure of going to Keeneland for Blue Grass Stakes Day on April 4. The sun had come out and the track had dried up enough to be labeled fast. Five of the day’s races were stakes, each of them graded.

While there were plenty of good races with several good horses, the spotlight of the day was the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI).

Carpe Diem went off as the 2-5 favorite in this Derby prep race, and he certainly did deliver. The chestnut colt broke from gate 5 and set right off the pace of early leader, Ocho Ocho Ocho, who set fractions of :24.15, :48.05, and 1:12.18. Carpe Diem looked like he wanted to go in front on the back stretch, racing nose to nose with Ocho Ocho Ocho, before his jockey, John Velazquez, set him back.

As the field turned for home and the crowd’s volume rose, Carpe Diem raced to the lead. He pulled away and won the mile and an eighth by three lengths with a time of 1:49.77. Danzig Moon rallied for second, with Ocho Ocho Ocho two and half lengths behind in third.

The son of Giant’s Causeway and Rebridled Dreams (by Unbridled’s Song) gained 100 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby, where he will make his next appearance for owners WinStar Farm and Stonestreet Stables. He now has 164 points and sits in third on the leaderboard, right between Dortmund and American Pharoah, who appear to be his biggest competition. Under the direction of Todd Pletcher, Carpe Diem will meet these two for the first time on May 2 when the gates open up at Churchill Downs.

Though there are other great colts heading into the run for the roses, Carpe Diem has something about him that just exuberates class. Maybe it’s the handsome build, the look in his eye, the arched neck, or the way he moves. This strong colt may have tough competition coming up, but he is in a class all of his own. It is of no coincidence that this colt received the name he did.

Carpe Diem – seize the day.

The Legacy of Callaway's Blue Norther

If I was asked which blood line was my favorite in the Saddlebred gene pool, I’d answer without a doubt with WC Callaway’s Blue Norther. Blue, as he was called, sired many great performance horses and left behind some great studs to carry on his legacy. He was honored with titles such as the 2004 World’s Champion Sire and 2013 Five Gaited World’s Champion Sire from The Saddle Horse Report along with Overall Five Gaited High Point Sire from 2007-2011 by The Breeder’s Report.

Part of Blue’s success can be attributed to his bloodlines. His sire is the Five Gaited World Grand Champion, CH Will Shriver, shown by the infamous and late Redd Crabtree. Will Shriver also came from royal breeding. He was by Callaway’s Johnny Gillen, a son of the six time Five Gaited World Grand Champion, CH Wing Commander, and out of the three time World Grand Champion Fine Harness mare, CH Kate Shriver. Blue was out of the mare Royally Blue.

Callaway's Blue Norther

theamericansaddlebred.blogspot.com

Blue was owned and bred by Callaway Hills Stables in New Bloomfield, Missouri, which was established in 1944. Other horses owned by Callaway Hills Stable include both his parents, CH Will Shriver and Royally Blue, and both grand dams, CH Kate Shriver and Fascinating Blue. Blue was born March 7, 1981. He made his first show ring appearance August 16, 1984 with Saddlebred legend, Tom Moore, at the Kentucky State Fair in the Five Gaited Three Year Old Stallion/Gelding Stake. The pair came out of the ring with the blue, giving Blue his world champion title. Blue went on to earn wins at Rock Creek, Lexington Junior League, and the All American Horse Classic.

The stud was good in the show ring, always earning top ribbons, but he seemed to be even better in the breeding shed. Callaway Hills was able to continue their success and build their reputation even more thanks to the offspring Blue produced.

In 1992, CH Callaway’s Forecaster was born. The gelding went on to win the Five Gaited World’s Grand Championship and later won the World’s Champion of Champions title in the Five Gaited Amateur division. He was ridden by owner Nancy Leigh Fischer.

The year 1993 brought about the birth of CH Callaway’s Born to Win, who became winner of the Five Gaited Ladies Championship at the World’s Championship Horse Show. He was owned and shown by William Woods equine professor, Gayle Lampe. Before being gelded, he produced world champions such as CH According to Lynn, CH Callaway’s Winning Number, and CH Callaway’s Born For This. CH According to Lynn took the world title in the Five Gaited mare stake 3 times and garnered a couple world titles in her junior years as well. She was shown by owner Mary Gaylord McLean, from the family who started Gaylord Hotels. The latter two have made names for themselves in the junior exhibitor divisions. CH Callaway’s Winning Number won multiple times at the Kentucky State Fair in Country Pleasure with both Alice Rowland and her younger brother Will. CH Callaway’s Born to Win earned her first world championship as a three year old in the Five Gaited division, racked into the winner’s circle with two amateur riders, and is now well known with her young rider, Sallie Mason Wheeler, for dominating the Five Gaited division amongst junior exhibitors.

Redd Crabtree rode again for Callaway Hills when he stepped aboard the black stallion, Callaway’s Bluesman. This team won the Five Gaited Stallion Stake at the World’s Championship Horse Show. Callaway’s Bluesman was foaled in 2004 to Callaway Hills and stands at stud there today.

Other sons of Callaway’s Blue Norther with little or no show records include Deep Blue, Callaway’s Northern Kiss, and Blue O’Shea, just to name a few.

Deep Blue entered the world in 1998. Owned and bred by Fox Grape Farms, he has sired top performing horses such as CH Mr. Center Stage and CH-EQ Imagine My Surprise. CH Mr. Center Stage took the Ladies Three Gaited division by storm. He has won multiple world titles and showcased many victories throughout the top Kentucky shows. His rounded poll and ability to march down the rail has allowed him to win over and over again. CH-EQ Imagine My Surprise is no doubt the top equitation horse in the country. This horse has carried a couple different equitation riders to world titles and shares the same nice qualities in his head set and movement.

Callaway’s Northern Kiss, foaled 2001, tends to throw horses with long beautiful headsets that can tuck their nose in to create that nice hook behind the top of their head. One thing that really stands out is their beautiful extended stride. They may not always be the highest trotting in the show ring, but all of the great qualities these horses have allow them to out-class the competition. A three time world champion in the Five Gaited Amateur Stallion/Gelding stake, Fort Chiswell’s Royal Kiss showcased the uniqueness of the Callaway’s Northern Kiss blood line. The movement is more poetic and pretty than you would see in most five gaited horses today. Heir To A Kiss, a world champion in the Three Gaited Ladies Amateur Over 15.2 division, shows off the same class of this bloodline. The mare’s long arched neck gives her an advantage over her competitors. Personally, I believe a good headset on a horse is more important than having tons of motion.

Other world champion Three Gaited horses, such as CH Juliette’s Deja Blue and Kalarama’s Blue Mac, were sired by Blue O’Shea, foaled 1998. CH Juliette’s Deja Blue first showed success the Three Gaited division, winning world titles along the way, and did the same in the Park division this past year. She has been shown mostly by amateur rider, Andrea Athanasuleas. Kalarama’s Blue Mac also won his world championship with amateur rand saddle seat World Cup rider, Nick Maupin. The gelding continued to earn top ribbons throughout Kentucky in the amateur division last year with newest owner, Candi Aversenti. Both are big horses with a lot of expression.

It is often hard for sons of top stallions to live up to the same level, but the sons of Callaway’s Blue Norther seem to be doing a pretty great job. Blue produced a strong line of horses that carry on his superior traits. These horses are strong bodied, have great headsets, and make a flashy appearance in the show ring. I hope that these blood lines continue for a long time to positively affect the breed of the American Saddlebred.