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Second Chances
Compiled with the assistance of
Katie Merwick
www.secondchanceranch.org
Snowshoe Flyer
I suppose it was his eye
that caught mine that April morning last year. His eyes were kind and bright,
despite the dusty shedrow at Penn National. One look into them and you could
tell Snowshoe Flyer was an old soul; content to quietly munch hay and observe
the weavers, cribbers and stall- walkers. His trainer clipped on a blue cotton
shank and walked him out of his stall. Though shaggy and thin, he was built
like a tank and clean legged. Not to mention, I’m a complete sucker for
bays with “chrome.” I glanced down at his papers and noticed he was
bred in Washington State. I thought it odd that such a nice horse had passed
through so many hands and travelled so far. I knew he was coming home with me
before he even began to jog.
Upon arriving home to
the rolling fields of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Snowshoe Flyer settled
right in. His barn name was shortened to Wilson, after the 28th US president.
He began to flourish with some thorough grooming, groceries and treatment for
both thrush and scratches. Wilson took to his retraining with good humor and
that fantastic Thoroughbred work ethic. Also, he was like the postal service;
not rain nor sleet, nor traffic, nor llama … nothing would faze him!
After only two weeks of retraining, he began his
show career, winning ribbons at a dressage schooling show with scores in the
60s. In the year that has passed since, he has continued his stellar
performances at paper chases, hunt meets, horse trials and even whilst hacking
bareback through gorgeous country. Just last month he and I took championships
in adult equitation and hunter horse divisions. He’s quite the Renaissance
man! Though versatility is a fantastic quality, my years of riding youngsters
and hot-heads have taught me that an honest, kind heart is the most important
thing to look for in a horse. In the horses I have known, Wilson’s heart
of gold has been unequalled. He is truly one in a million, and I am very
thankful to have him as my “partner in crime.”
Wilson would like to thank those Washingtonians who
started him along slow and treated him right. He would not be sound and happy
if not for you. He would also like to thank the Pennsylvania branch of CANTER
for offering such a necessary service to racehorses in need of homes. If not
for this organization, Wilson may have ended up going to slaughter.
Additionally, he would like to thank everyone he has known along his way who
did not let him slip through the cracks. He is certainly one of the lucky ones.
It took eight years and a journey across the country, but now Snowshoe Flyer is
finally home. For more information about giving a retired Thoroughbred a home,
please visit www.canterusa.org.
Snowshoe Flyer was
born on May 20, 1998, and was bred by Norman Clem. His sire, Damone, was an
unraced son of Alydar. His dam, Flying Patsy, was sired by Irish Group 2 stakes
winner Peterhof.
—Angela Dion,
CVT
Snowshoe Flyer (WA), 1998, g., Damone—Filly Patsy, by Peterhof.
Raced seven years, 63-7-10-8, $68,491.