Underscore - 2021 TB Makeover Graduate

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!

13/02/2026

One thing I think people are a little hesitant to talk about with a newly-retired is the journey their body goes through. It's quite common, even with an ideal feeding program, for a horse to lose some weight in addition to their racing muscle when they leave the track. This can create a bit of what I call an ugly duckling phase.

Blueberry went through this too, although Raspberry has so far had it a little rougher. He's bigger-bodied, for one thing, and also had to contend with a gelding surgery, stall rest, and a minor infection just as the cold weather was setting in, all immediately after leaving the track. I was not surprised that by December he was angular and too thin in spots. But as of today, despite three weeks of extreme cold and ice that would test any horse's body condition, he has gained much of that weight back. His body still looks different than it did because he hasn't begun work yet, so he hasn't built new muscle. As he gets closer to starting real training for his new life, I think he's beginning in a really solid place physically.

I think this is an important lesson in the fact that snapshots taken during the early part of this process can look very different than the big picture. And that good nutrition (thanks, Hallway Feeds!) and a skilled team are crucial.

08/02/2026

Like us, Blueberry and Raspberry are more than ready for a thaw. Today marks two weeks with ice and snow cover halting our training, and we are all going a little stir crazy.

14/01/2026

Raspberry decided that wearing a tarp is no big deal.

We are delighted that he is starting to regain the weight he lost around his gelding surgery and getting more comfortable in his bare feet (though sneakers help on days the ground is hard). We're so proud of how far he has already come.