Wally
was born in Kentucky in April, 2001. He began his racing career in spring,
2003 as a two-year-old. However, the following summer, Wally was on stall
rest due to a hairline fracture in his right foot. He was put back on the
track after sometime, but did not run as well as the owner would like.
In
2005, he was sold to a family to become an Eventer for their daughter.
However, he was kicked in the knee when turned out to pasture with the other
horses on the same leg as the old injury. Sadly that winter, Wally was
sold back to the racing barn due to divorce and left to sit for a few months.
In
May, 2006, Wally made his way to our home at Salem Ridge Thoroughbred Rescue
Center. It took a good six weeks to get any kind of foot to grow on his
front so the farrier could nail some shoes on him.
Wally's training started off slow. He liked to be very heavy on the
forehand and still needed about 150 lbs. on him, but in July, 2006, he was ready
for his first show. We entered him in a Hunter Under Saddle class at the
New Vocations Charity Show where he took 3rd place with a youth rider on his
back!
We had
a few people look at Wally to take him home in August, 2006, but he had won my
heart over with his big brown eyes and the heart of gold he showed to me.
Wally had found his home with me.
In
October, 2006, I took him to his second show and again we placed 3rd in Hunter
Under Saddle. At this point, we could tell that horse showing was one of
his favorite things to do. So, I did a few dressage clinics with him that
Fall and I realized that I had found my true partner in this sport. He
really tries to please me every second I am on him.
In
May, 2007, Wally and I entered in our first dressage show in Delaware, Ohio.
We placed 6th in our second test. We also showed him once a month in
Pataskala, Ohio bringing home 3rd and 4th's and then made our season at Delaware
again bringing home a 2nd and 5th place. Wally had started the season in
the low 50's and ended it in the low 60's which showed great improvement. We hope to move up a level this
year in 2008!
Wally
follows me without a lead rope wherever I go and will walk right into a trailer
by himself as if to say, "Where are we going next mom?" Wally has a true
bond with me like no other horse I have ridden. He tries to cheer me up
when I am down. Never has he not been there for me. These
thoroughbreds off the track have a lot of HEART.
I
cherish every warm day when Wally and I can have our workouts in the hay field
instead of the arena. That is another favorite time for him.
I hope
Wally's story lets everyone know what a true friend you could have in your life
with these guys. They are talented, athletic horses that love to please
their owners.
Wally
is my true best friend. I hope he stays in my life for a long time for I
enjoy every minute I am with him.
Shelly Cushman
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Special Thanks
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A big thank you goes out to Nina Clough for
starting this rescue. It is her dedication to bringing horses home and
funding the money to give them the proper health care they deserve that enables
them to be able to move on to a second life!
A special thank you for my opportunity to grow
with my career with Wally and Autumn. These are the horses Nina brings
home and they are such lovely horses to be around.
I thank you with all of my heart.
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Shelly Cushman |
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Special Thanks
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Another special thank you goes out to Gladys
Spencer for letting Salem Ridge Stables be these horses temporary
homes until they are ready to move on. This stable offers
plenty of good feed and nice pastures for the horses to regenerate
and gives them a chance to become a horse again.
Thank you so much!
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Shelly Cushman
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