32/ SEPTEMBER 2019 THE RIDER Jennifer Moore and Lucky Merv head to the T.I.P. Championships There are many, many years,


miles and partnerships that can be logged with former Thoroughbred Race Horses. Jennifer Moore, of Baden, Ontario took a chance on a very lightly raced plain bay gelding, with an unsuccessful track record to school him as a Sport Horse. Sight unseen, except for a posted photograph of his availability off the track, Lucky Merv arrived at her yard in late December of 2013. Bred in Ontario by Frank


Mermenstein, Lucky Merv is by Ontario Sire, Vibank out of Bella Mosella by Bold N’ Flashy. As his schooling progressed, Merv showed his aptitude for the strength, coordination and ele- gance required of a competitive Dressage horse and in his first year of showing, consistently im- proved his scores and standings in the London Dressage Association competitions. Since 2015, Jennifer and


Lucky Merv have competed in various Provincially sanctioned Dressage Shows, placing well both with Jennifer as his rider and with two of her riding students. In 2016 and 2017, Merv con-


tinued to progress as a competi- tive Dressage horse, winning multiple Local, Regional and Provincial Awards in his divisions including the 2017 Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Re- serve Dressage Championship. With the T.I.P. Dressage


Award in 2017, came an invitation Jennifer Moore and Lucky Merv


to compete at the Championships, held annually at the Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Due to Family obligations and financial considerations, Jennifer declined


for that year. But, she was deter- mined in 2018 to continue to com- pete and provide Merv with an opportunity to qualify again! 2018 was a highlight year


for the partnership, winning multiple local awards and earning a Provincial Dres- sage Championship as well as several Reserve Champi- onships. He obtained a Re- gional


Year-End


Thoroughbred High Score Award and Three T.I.P. Awards, Reserve Champion North America Over-All Dressage Horse, Reserve Champion


Level for North America and Champion


Freestyle, North America. Dressage Canada also


awarded Jennifer and Lucky Merv, Bronze Medal Per- formance Awards for their scores in 2018. Based on their out-


standing accomplishments, Jennifer and Merv continue to compete this season and bring home many awards for their performances in local, regional and provincially sanctioned Dressage Shows, in preparation for a much anticipated trip to Lexington this summer.


Introductory Dressage


It takes dedication and


thoughtful training to pro- duce a competitive dressage horse. It takes a willing horse with athleticism and expressive movement


to


score well. Jennifer and Lucky Merv have been de- voted advocates for the Thoroughbred excelling in new careers and continue to contribute to the promotion of ex-racehorses after their racing careers are complete. The Ontario Sired


Thoroughbreds have proven themselves to be stellar per- formance horses on numer- ous occasions. The Retired Racehorse Project very first 30 day challenge was won by Eric Dierks on Brazilian Wedding (by Milwaukee Brew) in 2012. In the hugely expanded venue at the Ken- tucky Horse Park, Lindsey Partridge and her Ontario Sired/Bred mare Soar (by Trajectory) were awarded the


“America’s Most


Wanted Thoroughbred”. September 6-8, 2019


Employers in ON Racing – Nominate your Groom for a Tuition Award!


letter demonstrating their love of horses and commitment to the industry and submit along with a reference letter. Entries will be accepted until Dec, 1, 2019. For submission details visit: https://www.equineguelph.ca/education/tuition_awards.php


Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions


few years, launching short courses on The Horse Portal as identified as priorities by the racing industry,” says Equine Guelph director, Gayle Ecker. “It is fantastic to see future ambassadors in the racing industry keen to carry on with the 12-week courses to further advance their sci- entific knowledge. A groom who can pick up on potential problems before they become health and performance issues is clearly an asset to their employer.” The candidates for Equine Guelph’s 2020 tuition awards are required to write a 250 word


industry,” says, Standardbred breeder, and past recipient of both awards, Cameron Lago. “The racing industry is a tight knit community and since taking the courses, I have seen a few big name trainers pushing towards hiring Equine Guelph students and have motivated a few friends to look into them.” “Equine Guelph has forged wonderful partnerships with Ontario Racing over the past


Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award. Equine Guelph thanks both families for their sup- port to educate future industry professionals to be champions for the health and welfare of horses. Each tuition award winner will receive two online 12-week, university-accredited courses through Equine Guelph valued at $549 each (Certificates are available in Equine Sci- ence, Equine Welfare and Equine Business – six courses complete the certificate). “Knowledge acquired in Equine Guelph online courses has opened doors for me in the


Guelph, ON Aug. 28, 2019 - Racehorses are a big investment and we are not talking just fi- nancial. It takes time, effort and exceptional care to bring these star athletes up to peak per- formance. Give your groom outstanding tools to provide the best possible care to your horses. Equine Guelph offers two tuition awards for 12-week online university-accredited courses set up by families passionate about the racing industry and the welfare of the athletes within it. Applications for the 2020 tuition awards are now open. Applications are being accepted for the Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award and the


will see hundreds of off- track Thoroughbreds con- verge on the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park venue to promote their versatility, trainability and athleticism in many diverse riding disci- plines. Jennifer and Lucky Merv have earned their spot in competition and are eager to proudly represent the Canadian/Ontario


bred


Thoroughbred racehorse in this North America wide show.


Champions of the train-


ability, athleticism and per- formance aptitudes of the Off-Track Thoroughbred are encouraged to assist Jennifer and Lucky Merv in their goal


to represent our


Province and Country at the Kentucky T.I.P. Champi- onships. Please check her website at to see their list of accomplishments and their goal of promotion for the in- credible abilities of the OTTB in competitive sport.


Applications are being accepted for the Stuart Stocks Memorial Equine Award and the Roger L’Heureux Memorial Equine Award.


CORRECTION NOTICE:


Please note that the story “Art of Balance” on page 33 of our August edition was written by Dr. Bri Henderson.


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