Leighton Farm
"Making the most of each thoroughbred."
|
Leighton Farm "Making the most of each thoroughbred." |
|
My Horses
"Punkie" was one of the first racehorses I had. I bought
him from Bobby Adams for $500, and was so poor that I had to make payments.
His sire is Dancing Count and he's out of Plum Solo, a stakes mare. Punkie was bred to run. Though he only ran 7 times, he never missed a
check. The Punk is responsible for getting me started in the breaking
business. He bought every bridle, saddle, lead shank, bucket and cross bar
I needed to get started. Punkie fractured his sesamoid and took two years to become sound. His usefulness was far from over. He became the pony we use to break the babies. Punkie has saved the day more times than I can count. He's always loved being a racehorse and I believe he passes this on to his students. Now, 20 years old, he still starts all the babies. People will often hear me say he's the "best horse I ever did see." He is my heart and soul and if I could have only one horse, it would be him. He has been my faithful partner all these years and I know there is nothing he wouldn't do for me. In return he asks for nothing. He is just glad I appreciate and respect him.
Cloud's Honor
This spring 2007, Graycie demanded the return to training. She normally gets what she wants and has pushed her earnings to over $80,000. This is great because she has supporting quite a few "bums" or non-earning thoroughbreds. Graycie will forever be known as "The Gray Monster" at Bowie Training Center. I did not name her this, the other riders who witnessed her antics did. I often was asked "How's The Gray Monster" feeling today?" As of November 2007, Graycie permanently retired from racing. I would have to run her cheaper, thus creating a risk of being claimed. She is completely sound and has earned her place at Leighton Farm.
So now Graycie has given me a very special little one, named Mr. Z!
THANK YOU GRAYCIE!!!
After training at Bowie Training Center for some
months, I decided his heart was not going to be in racing. Perhaps, he had
been through too much. His former race record was two 2nds, one 3rd and an
no show going long. Outstanding temperament, fabulous These days "The Bear" is my torture pony. No I don't torture him, I torture myself on him. He is the guy I post without stirrups on or with only one. Two point practice, whatever I need to work on myself. He's safe and tolerant, but does have a buck or a jump, just to keep me fresh.
My Baby Bird. I love him so. He is my biggest fan. Birdie is such a sensitive soul. He's a giver and I am unbelievably lucky to have him.
Birdie demands a level of finesse that is making me a much better rider. It doesn't hurt that he's exceptionally talented and I trust him.
The picture to the right was taken two months after I started learning to jump.
Am I lucky or what?
What can I say about Willie other than Wow. He's by Wild Lies and out of a Seattle Slew mare. Hence the very beautiful and unique silver tail that everyone raves about.
Willie raced until he was nine and is a lesson to all who avoid horses who've had a long racing career. He was soundness tested. Think about it, if he wasn't well made he would never have made it to nine years old in the racing world. He had already been there, done that so the transition to horse trials was a breeze. His first trial he strolled around like an old campaigner - which is exactly what he is.
Originally Willie was sent to me to retrain and sell. He knew he was for sale and it bothered him.
He wanted to stay and it bothered me that each time I showed him to someone he took it as a defeat and betrayal. His owner kept telling me to keep him and I kept telling her I could not have another horse. As time went on I couldn't take it any longer.
Jimmy told me I should keep him. Elizabeth told me "this is your fourth level horse." Sam Allan was his staunchest supporter. That all mattered, but what made me keep him was Willie himself. As I loaded him on the trailer in July of 2009 to go to Fair Hill he stopped at the ramp and sighed. I could see on his face the thought "this is it, they've sold me." I couldn't take it any more and when we got back I called Anne and told her I was going to keep him. Willie being the smart old guy he is, knew right away. I'm not crazy, both Sam and Elizabeth remarked about his newly found happy demeanor. Not that I don't treat every horse that comes here great. I just don't allow myself to get attached to the ones who are leaving. Which is very hard to do because they are all keepers in my book.
|
|
Kimberly Clark 301-579-6898 |
"Graycie"
was one of two horses my husband bought at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium Sale.
"Bear"
is a special horse because when I got him he was in tremendous trouble. As
illustrated in the middle picture, he was starving. He
came in a set of two. The other horse being
gaits and great
looks made it easy to see that he would make a successful dressage horse.
