Well-Bred Thoroughbreds Excel During Rolex Demonstration

The regally bred Fullback and Jordan Pruiksma pose for the camera on a rainy day. (Photos by Melissa Bauer-Herzog)
The last weekend in April always turns the attention of the equestrian world to Lexington, Ky. for the events surrounding the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park. Fittingly, the weekend also brings attention to off-the-track Thoroughbreds through those competing in the event and demonstrations scheduled around the event.
One such event was at the actual competition when the Retired Racehorse Project took over one of the rings for Friday and Saturday demonstrations centered around retired racehorses.
The five horses ridden in the event are part of the Thoroughbred Makeover contest that will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park in October. Each of the horses has only been off the track for a few months and the atmosphere was electric around the arena they were performing in as crowds walked around the arena while going to the Rolex competition areas.
Most impressive may have been the horses’ attitudes on Saturday when it was pouring down rain and the horses not only had to deal with working in the rain but also the umbrellas and other gear to keep those around them dry. Each of the horses not only listened to their riders but also put in great demonstrations showing their progress, including one who went through an obstacle course that would have normal horses balking and another who is already showing that he has the talent to be an upper level dressage horse.
That dressage horse was Rapsandtaps, a 5-year-old stallion who recorded his last official workout in July of 2014. Ridden by Nuno Santos, who may be most known in off-the-track Thoroughbred circles for his work with Ken’s Kitten, Rapsandtaps is starting his new career in dressage after seven starts on the track. A son of leading racehorse sire Tapit, Rapsandtaps impressed those watching him as he showed off his willingness to please and his enjoyment of his new career. Interestingly, Santos is also a track veteran, spending time as an exercise rider and assistant trainer to the late Bobby Frankel. Now living in Maryland, Santos runs Santos Sport Horses with his wife.
RAPSANDTAPS SHOWING OFF HIS MOVES

But perhaps the most heartwarming story of pairs participating in the demonstration was that of Jordan Pruiksma and Fullback.
Pruiksma helps train Darley’s young horses before they head to the racetrack and Fullback was one of her charges with the pair forming a bond during their time together. By Preakness winner Bernardini and out of multiple graded stakes winner Stellar Jayne, Fullback was bred to be a superstar. Pruiksma let Darley know that if Fullback’s racing career didn’t work out for him, she would gladly take him. Fullback made two starts as a 2-year-old but it was soon decided that he didn’t want to be a racehorse and he was reunited with Pruiksma in December.  
Fullback was the youngest horse in the demonstration but that didn’t seem to be a hindrance for the gelding. He showed off his skills in the ring, even popping over some jumps both days and taking part in the Friday night Thoroughbreds For All event at a nearby farm. Even though he has only been off the track for a few months, Fullback has shown that he has the talent to excel in the show ring as he gets older. The pair recently won a small combined test in Aiken, S.C., where they are based and Pruiksma is planning on showing him in hunter classes soon and eventing him in the fall if he is ready for it.
Other horses taking part in the demonstration were Gin Joint, who ran his last race in late February of this year and is already showing a love of jumping; Face of Glory, who wowed the crowd under western tack when he performed a few tricks and went through an obstacle course; and Nutello, a graded stakes placed gelding who is well on his way toward an eventing career.
All five of these horses are planning to return to the Kentucky Horse Park to take their place in the spotlight during the Thoroughbred Makeover on Oct. 23 – 25. For more information about the contest, visit http://retiredracehorsetraining.org/2015-thoroughbred-makeover.