Riders Up at Lake Fork Stables

01/07/2025

We've hit that time of the year when the weather is a wildcard on almost a daily basis, so here's a little Weather Policy update. We will cancel in the Vagaro app if lessons are canceled, but if you don't receive the cancellation text/email or you're not sure if lessons are canceled, please text, email, or send a FB message before you head this way.

❄️ Winter Weather - We can't ride if temperatures are hovering around freezing or below. The frozen ground and cold air are not healthy for our senior horse's legs and lungs.

⛈ Stormy Weather - We can't ride in the rain or if there's lightning in the area.

🔥Extreme Heat - We will not ride if the heat index is unsafe. This is typically if the heat index is over 150. Temperature + Humidity = Heat Index

Remember, if in doubt, reach out. We're available online from about 7am to 10pm daily.

Also, because of this wild weather, cancellations means zero income for the care of our horses and employee, so if you feel inclined to donate, anything is greatly appreciated!

01/06/2025

We have been graciously donated 20 round bales, but we have no way to move them! The donor can load, and we can unload, but we don't have a truck and trailer big enough to pick them up. Is there anyone who can pick them and deliver them? It's about a 10-minute trip from the donor to the farm. We're down to our last 2 bales and will likely need them by the end of the week. I had a guy haul some before, but he's not responding.

01/04/2025

A long but educational day at the Boyd Martin Clinic! We didn’t ride but audited and picked up some good nuggets for jumping in general and getting ready to take our horses schooling.

01/02/2025

Lake Fork Stables is now accepting applications for new Therapeutic Riding Students. Lessons start at $25 for a one hour, weekly session. We work with children ages 6 and up who have learning disabilities, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, confidence/self-esteem issues, and are on the autism spectrum. We also have a discounted program for foster and military families.

Apply online at https://www.ridersup.org/programs/free-reduced-rate-lessons

01/02/2025

Last but not least is our little Harry Trotter. His Jockey Club name is JessFrank, but we didn't know that for a long time. Harry came to us as a little mystery horse. He's by the far the tiniest Thoroughbred I've ever seen at barely 15 hands. We had to do a DNA test with the Jockey Club to find out who he was and to see if he'd ever done anything on the track - he hasn't. Harry is slow and tiny - not exactly racehorse material.

Harry does have excellent bloodlines, though. You would never know that he and Moose have the same sire - Custom For Carlos. Other than being the same color, they are built entirely differently. He also has Tapit (Calvin's sire) on his dam's side. Unfortunately, Harry didn't get the best of genetics from either side.

Harry is super safe and has done many lessons, participated in summer camp, and went on a trail ride at the Mineola Nature Preserve. He's not afraid of anything other than cows with horns! Unfortunately, Harry isn't the best fit for our program though, as he needs an intermediate to advanced rider that can help keep him on track and focused. Sometimes, riding the slow horse is actually the harder ride. Harry goes English and Western and even does a little jumping! He is available for adoption with an approved application and contract to ensure he doesn't end up back where he was saved from.

01/02/2025

📣Volunteers Needed!

As we enter 2025, we’re going to be working on growing and expanding our programs, and we need a little help to do that. We desperately need volunteers who can come out on a regularly scheduled basis and help with a variety of tasks around the barn, from sweeping and cleaning to feeding and grooming horses. Depending on your horse experience, perhaps even some lunging and groundwork. Consistency and reliability are crucial. It really doesn’t do us any good if we don’t know when and if you’re coming, so being able to schedule a specific time and day is essential so we can build a plan. If you’re interested in this, please sign up on our website at https://www.ridersup.org/programs/volunteer-program. Children 10 and up are allowed to volunteer with an adult. We are planning to hold a Volunteer Orientation the morning of January 11th, pending the weather.

Volunteer Program As we grow, we’re finding we need a little bit of help! The following are volunteer opportunities that are currently available. There are a few requirements, though:16 or older Children 10 and older may volunteer with a parentApply to be a volunteerAttend a volunteer orientation ...

01/01/2025

Arrival aka Calvin is a 10-year-old gelding that was retired to the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program. Calvin is special for a few reasons. First, he's a warhorse with 54 starts including 5 firsts, 7 seconds, and 8 thirds with lifetime earnings of $251,568.

He is the son of Tapit (the most expensive stallion to breed to right now with a $185k stud fee) and was born at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky where Tapit stands. He was sold at the Keeneland September Sale as a yearling to John C. Oxley for $800,000. Interestingly enough, when I was a kid growing up in Owasso, Oklahoma, the Oxley family actually owned a polo horse farm that was literally minutes away from where we lived. Calvin's last racing connections were Renay Borel (trainer) and Calvin Borel - hence the barn name Calvin.

Calvin Borel is a Hall of Fame jockey with many, many Triple Crown wins and Breeders' Cup wins, but most will remember him from his epic ride on Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Calvin's brother, Cecil Borel, actually lives at Lake Fork! I was very fortunate to meet Cecil at our Fall Festival in 2021.

Calvin is a funny horse. It has taken us a little bit of time to get him going. He has had some random injuries and hoof abscesses, but as of yesterday, he had his best ride yet. He is super safe, a little goofy, and will be taking on a new lesson horse role soon, although he has helped out with summer camp as he makes the perfect canvas for learning the parts of the horse. We think he will make a nice little Western Dressage horse.

If you would like to contribute to Calvin's continued care and training, you can do so at:

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/31/2024

Harry feeling good after a few weeks off! He jumped 2 ft. today for the first time!

12/31/2024

Reprobate, aka Guinness, is a Kentucky-bred and was born at the historic Claiborne Farm. He will be 8 years old. He was sold as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale for $230,000. He raced at some of the top tracks in the country, such as Santa Anita, Del Mar and Oaklawn Park, earning $72,552 in 13 starts with one first, second and third. While he didn't win any major races, he was still fairly competitive.

At some point, he ends up in Texas and is saved by an amazing woman who saves these horses, turns their lives around, and finds them forever homes. Our student, Norah, the brave soul that she is, has also been instrumental in the retraining of Guinness. He is a forward and highly competitive horse. I think you could take him back to the track today and he would go right back to the job. He loves to run. The pair are perfect for each other and she's had amazing patience with him, particularly in the last year as he went through a mystery lameness.

Donations towards the care of Guinness are greatly appreciated.

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/30/2024

It would be greatly appreciated if you'd like to donate towards Quigley's training and/or sponsor Moose & Allysha in their show season this year. Quigley could also use a volunteer to help keep him handled and worked on a regular basis. Quigley never actually raced and Moose won a whole $107. They will both be 11 years old.

Moose has taken to his new job with ease. He moves like a giant Western pleasure horse, and Allysha has done amazing work with him. He went to his first dressage show last year. He has also participated in summer camp, excursions and lots of riding lessons with students of all ages.

Quigley is not as brave as Moose, so he's taken more time and isn't quite ready for the lesson horse job just yet. Quigley moves like a fancy event horse and is a natural jumper. We are excited to see what he will do with more time and training.

If you'd like to donate towards Quigley's training and/or sponsor Moose & Allysha in their show season this year, it would be greatly appreciated. Quigley could also use a volunteer to help keep him handled and worked on a regular basis.

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/29/2024

Zendelphian, aka Maverick, is a 12-year-old dark brown gelding. He retired straight from the track into a new home but wasn't cut out for the barrel racing life. Over the past year, he has transformed into an entirely different-looking horse. His retraining has been almost completely done by Norah, our oldest rider. He was already very level-headed but a little too fast and forward for some of our younger riders. Norah has helped to retrain him into a solid mount that any of our older riders can handle. He is now jumping up to two foot and we are preparing to take him cross-country schooling and to local shows. He has so much potential!

Maverick was also a successful racehorse with 52 starts, putting him the classification of "War Horse". He has 11 firsts, 8 seconds and 5 thirds with lifetime earnings of $235,505. He placed second in the Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes.

If you would like to contribute to the care and training of Maverick, donations are greatly appreciated. Sponsors of Norah and Maverick would also be greatly appreciated so they can begin showing this spring.

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/28/2024

Today, we introduce Hawaiian Disco. Disco will be 17 years old. We acquired Disco as a foster from Remember Me Rescue and took full ownership of him last year. Disco is a Texas-bred gelding that was not nearly as successful as Rosie and Barney on the track. Out of 13 starts, he has 1 second and lifetime earnings of $2,303. Some horses just aren't meant to be racehorses and if you see the way he moves, you'd think he was better suited for the dressage arena.

Unfortunately, Disco has kissing spine and cannot be ridden safely. Disco is a very easy keeper - often mistaken for a pregnant mare! Disco loves his herd mates and has often been the pony-sitter.

We would be willing to adopt Disco out to a companion home with a signed contract from not only us, but also Remember Me, to ensure he will always be safe. Or, if a volunteer would like to "adopt" him here at the farm and contribute to his care, that would also be amazing.

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/27/2024

Lake Fork Stables is now offering seasonal Working Student Positions! This position is by application only to advanced beginner/intermediate or higher teenage riders. The Winter/Spring position will last from mid-January through May.

This unpaid position is an opportunity to improve your horsemanship, learn equine-assisted therapies, learn the process of retraining retired racehorses, and assist with daily barn chores. There may be additional opportunities to attend shows and clinics as well.

Apply online at https://www.ridersup.org/programs/working-student-progam

12/27/2024

Our next oldest Thoroughbred is Pirate's Deputy, aka Barney. This horse has an amazing story. He's a California-bred gelding with a race record of 32 starts, 3 firsts, 7 seconds, and 3 thirds and lifetime earnings of $424,845. He won the California Breeders' Champion Stakes at Santa Anita, placed second in the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association Lads Stakes at Emerald Downs, and placed second in the California Cup Juvenile Stakes at Oak Tree.

After a hugely successful racing career, he was retired responsibly and trained in eventing. He went on to also do show jumping. At 20 years old, we don't know how he ended up in Texas from Kentucky, but it's sad the condition that he was in, but an amazing lady saved him and found him sanctuary. He has proven that he is truly a special horse in so many ways. At a solid 17 hands, he is huge, but his heart is sweet and he's so careful with the tiniest of riders.

In his third career, Barney is super healthy, but a big horse requires a lot of hay and feed. We are also carefully bringing him back into work, as older horses take longer to get back in shape, and working on healing an old scar with PEMF. If you would like to contribute to his care, donations are greatly appreciated!

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/26/2024

In just 7 days, all of our Thoroughbreds will be one year older! Under the Jockey Club rules, all Thoroughbreds have January 1st as their birthday. We believe it's important to honor their past as we care for them now and in the future. Every day for the next week, we will introduce you to one of our Thoroughbreds and tell you all about their lives, what they achieved in racing, and what they are doing now in second careers (or even third careers for some). A couple are even available for new homes with an approved application and signed adoption contract that will guarantee they never see the harsh realities that some horses cannot escape.

First up is our oldest member of the herd, Broadway Baby, aka Rosie. She will be 21 this year. Her actual birthday is on Valentine's Day. She is a Kentucky-bred bay mare that at one point sold in foal at the Keeneland November sale for $57,000. This fall, Rosie was saved from the Wish Upon a Horse pen in the Panhandle by a generous friend who paid her bail to ensure she lived out her days in safety. Rosie's story is one that is unfortunately common for broodmares. They stop being able to reproduce, and then they are sent off to a sale. They don't sell to anyone who will use them, and then they end up in the kill pen cycle. Rosie was lucky, though, because she was saved quickly enough that she didn't lose weight or get very sick. She spent a couple of weeks in quarantine just to make sure.

Rosie had a very good racing career with 19 starts, 5 firsts, 3 second and 5 thirds and earned $146,091. Her last jockey was Rosie Napravnik, thus her new barn name! Rosie Napravnik, a woman jockey, won the Kentucky Oaks twice, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Rosie was an excellent broodmare and bred to some of the top stallions in the industry, including Fusaichi Pegasus, Forestr,y and Macleans Music. She produced 11 foals that went on to race. Her top earners were Mac B Quick ($101,572) and Positive Power ($148,341).

After arriving at Lake Fork Stables, she blended with our herd beautifully and even did a riding lesson on her second day! That alone is amazing, considering she probably hasn't been ridden in the last 11 years. At just over 15 hands, she's a petite little mare who is very kind and sweet. She deserves nothing more than sanctuary and to be doted on.

All that Rosie needs right now is for a dental appointment with Dr. Gray. If you would like to donate towards, it would be greatly appreciated. The cost is $160.

https://givebutter.com/sponsorahorse
Venmo:
PayPal: Paypal.me/ridersuplfs
CashApp: $ValerieMellema

12/05/2024

We love it when The Prairie Clasroom kids come for a visit!

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