ShowBiz Feature
one of compassion and desire to do the right thing for these animals. HBO immediately put a team in place to coordinate the re-homing of the herd.
three different years of the filming, and in dissimilar situ- ations, these fatalities demonstrated to HBO, the reality that no guarantees could be made to eliminate every ac- cident going forward. While the care and caution taken with these horses were
held to the highest standard, and despite every precaution in any equine endeavor, we as horsemen know that hors- es can have accidents. We do everything we can to keep our equine friends healthy and safe, but horses can rear up, lose their bal- ance, fall and hit their head even with an experi- enced handler or rider. They can trip while playing. They can find some way to hurt themselves without any help from an external source. The vet- erinary staff on set immediately tend- ed to these horses, not allowing them to suffer. The feeling at the project’s corporate level was one
Nick Nolte and friend
of compassion and desire to do the right thing for these animals. HBO immediately put a team in place to coordi- nate the re-homing of the herd. I volunteered to help by quarterbacking the effort. Jamie Cuzick and Wes Windley ran the barn, while racehorse retirement charities , ap- proved by the California Retirement Management Ac- count (CARMA), were contacted for their help and in- volvement. Santa Anita generously gave the time and the facility
to work from with tremendous help from other sources too. Ciara Tellini, a local trainer specializing in horses off the track, was a champion in her networking effort, find- ing wonderful homes for 10. Leigh Gray’s Thoroughbred
The feeling at the project’s corporate level was
Rehab Center was able to take in a dozen, quickly plac- ing seven in approved homes. TROTT took in two, and Wolftown took in two. Offers come in from Neigh Sav- ers, Canter, Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue and others. The decision to keep them at Santa Anita during this process proved to be a good strategy, as most have been adopted. Some of the cast and crewmembers involved in the series eagerly stepped forward. Kerry Con- don, who played the young female jockey, fell in love with “Bur- ro” (Yo Diamond) and took him to Encanto Equestrian Center. She will work with Jane Steiner, another cast member, and Aryn Jaques, trainers who between the two of them, adopted seven to be part of their hunt- er/jumper program. Amy Hess, another local hunter/jumper trainer, provided help
with contacts and networking, placing several. The Jockey Club has sponsored the big chestnut gelding who played Hoffman’s horse, and you will be able to watch his re- training progress on The Jockey Club’s website. Thanks to HBO’s support, plus the assistance of cast,
crew, trainers, charities, Santa Anita and plenty of horse- loving people, a potentially desperate situation turned into a grand opportunity for many to welcome a new horse into a wonderful home. These racehorses-turned- TV stars now have the chance to move into a new phase in their careers, whether in the show ring, soaring over fences, running barrels, playing polo or as a trail buddy. A few horses are still in need of homes. Anyone inter-
ested should email
ccoderchew@gmail.com for informa- tion.
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