Underscore - 2021 TB Makeover Graduate

28/06/2026

After a rousing start to our dressage season, Blueberry and I decided to take a little break to dip our collective toes in the jumping pool. Blue loves to jump, and has plenty of experience, thanks to our coach. I've jumped sparingly in recent years but am not quite ready to close the door on that part of my riding life yet. I have a lot of anxiety around jumping, and have learned it gets harder to push your own boundaries as you get older...but I remember loving this when I was young. So, we are going to give it a focused try and see how it goes!

I've got a long way to knock the rust off, but luckily Blueberry and Stephanie are both so patient with me as I get back into the swing of things.

08/06/2026

Always a treat to spend time with Unspurned, the magical mare that made our OTTBs, during her time in Kentucky. We also got a chance to meet her new c**t by Charlatan (fruit-themed name TBD), whose birth Joe just missed by about five hours back in April when he visited Unspurned in Ontario. He’s a stout boy, and we can’t wait to see how he grows up.

It’s not often that we get to see Unspurned and Blueberry/Raspberry in the same day, but getting to do it drives home how much of a difference one horse can make in the lives of so many others. She’s a special horse that makes special horses.

19/05/2026

Your little moment of zen with Blueberry!

15/04/2026

I love this moment Three Redheads and a Moose caught of me giving Blueberry a little loving side eye at the start of our first test at Daffodil a couple weeks back.

"OK, buddy. No bucking today...right??"

11/04/2026

10/04/2026

I couldn't thank Blueberry enough for our tests at Daffodil Dressage a couple of weeks ago. They didn't look impressive, but they felt wonderful, and that was our only objective. Love that Three Redheads and a Moose captured this moment of joy.

30/03/2026

Yesterday capped off a very busy week for the Berry Boys! Both Blueberry and Raspberry went to Kentucky Horse Park last weekend for the Paul Frazer horse show, and Masterson Equestrian Trust (MET) yesterday for Daffodil Dressage.

Raspberry was just there as an observer, taking the opportunity to hand walk and graze around both parks and get the vibes of busy horse show environments. He was completely unfazed by both experiences and was absolutely perfectly behaved. I don't expect he will have any difficulties when he comes here next time with a saddle on.

Paul Frazer was, objectively, a bit of a disaster for Blueberry and I. I think I'd always believed that when I got into a more relaxed headspace at shows, his anxiety would...perhaps not disappear, but at least melt some. He was serene schooling and in warm-up but came completely unglued as we made our way around the outside of the dressage ring to begin our test. I think that what started as a spook and skitter turned into frustration on his part when I sat up, kept my hands wide, and insisted that we were going to ride forward as if nothing had happened. All too often, a bit of animation or worry on his part backs me right off and I let the reins slip and give up piloting. This time, I decided, I would be grounding for him by riding as though nothing had happened, and I think he found that frustrating. We spent all of both tests arguing, with quite a lot of bucking. It was horrible. I dismounted that day questioning how much I wanted to keep doing something that could be so completely unfun on days like this.

But yesterday was a full redemption. The weather was chilly and windy and the warm-up rings were full and busy. Blueberry and I both had every excuse to tighten up, but we didn't. We stayed loose and happy and put in two solid tests. It was such a joy to ride in the ring with the same peace and focus I feel when we're schooling at home together. THIS was fun. And to top it all off, we were high point The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program OTTB for First Level! Life as an amateur dressage rider can be a rollercoaster sometimes, but every ride I take with Blueberry is worth it.

28/02/2026

We've been taking every available opportunity this season to show Blueberry trail obstacles. I was so proud that he hopped right on this bridge on the first try under saddle. I think exercises like this are so good for horses' brains and are great trust building moments for us.

16/02/2026

Blueberry and Raspberry were born one week (and four years) apart, so we split the difference and celebrated both over the weekend. Raspberry turned five on Feb. 13, and Blueberry will turn nine on Feb. 20.

Lots of snuggles, treats, and some welcome grazing time for both during their birthday party. As Blueberry turns nine, he enjoys working out and the occasional cuddle. As Raspberry turns five, he enjoys eating, and then it’s a long way back to whatever gets the silver medal. Both are bright, kind young men, and were so proud of them.

15/02/2026

Yesterday, we showed you Raspberry's progress photos from the first few months from his track>second career transition. Today, we're looking back at how far Blueberry has come since his very first season.

I attribute a lot of these changes to the dressage base that we started him with and have maintained these last five years.

We've finally been able to get back to groundwork this week after 3 weeks off due to snow and ice. Seeing how well he was doing on the long lines today makes me thankful that, as a fit Thoroughbred going into the lay-off, he has maintained a decent amount of strength considering how little he's been able to move during this arctic blast. Can't wait to see what this season holds for us!