Visiting Remember Me

One of my favorite places in the world is Remember Me Rescue. Nestled on a farm named Keen Farms in Burleson, Texas, Remember Me is known for retraining and rehoming ex-racehorses. Yet, there is more to the farm than just the rescue. It is also home to racehorses needing some rehabilitation, breeding stock, and some great people.

I have visited Remember Me Rescue several times and have enjoyed myself every time. From riding the now twenty-nine-year-old Yeah Me Do (Yammi) bareback and brideless on my first visit, to meeting and adopting my horse Dexter, to meeting and riding the rescued 2001 Texas Horse of the Year Lights on Broadway, and to meeting and riding the amazing King of Speed, some of my greatest memories would not exist without Remember Me Rescue and the three main people that come to my mind when I think of the organization: Lilly Armstrong and Dallas and Donna Keen.

Remember Me Rescue has recently made the headlines because of a heartbreaking horse seizure in Many, Louisiana. They currently have four horses rescued from Many at the farm: O’l Little Mike (Mikey), Straight Eddie (Eddie), Ol Suzie Q (Suzie), and Prince Alyzig (Kipper).

Those four horses were on my mind when my mom pulled up to Keen Farms on Monday. Yet, though those four were in the vanguard, there were several other horses on my mind, including Lights on Broadway, Yammi, King of Speed, Future Covenant, and Hy Danger.

From left to right: Lilly, Peace, Beau, King,
and Rio (below King)
Photo: Terri Cage

After visiting with Donna’s beautiful pony horse, Wyatt, my mom and I then headed down to the barn, where we met up with Lilly. The three of us – and the official greeter of Remember Me, an adorable dog named Rio – made our way to one of the back paddocks, where we visited King of Speed, Perfect Peace, and Heather’s Prince (Beau). In order to get the horses to do more than stand around, my mom used an app on her phone that made the sound of a whinny. Lilly grabbed the phone, taking off across the pasture. My mom and I couldn’t help but laugh as we watched Lilly, Rio, and the three geldings run across the pasture.

For several minutes, Speed, Peace, and Beau galloped and pranced along the fenceline. Before long, the whole farm was joining in. In the closest paddock, Lights on Broadway and his pasture buddies did the same. Down by the barn, horses pranced in the pens and the yearlings frolicked in their pasture. All this chaos was caused by an iPhone app that makes a whinnying noise.

After we let ourselves out of the paddock, we stopped along the fenceline of the next one over. Lights ambled over to us and we fed him some rich green grass. The beautiful chestnut gelding nuzzled against me, rubbing his velvety nose on my hand. As we headed back down to the barn, I stopped to visit Yammi, affectionately giving the near-white gelding attention.

We continued making our rounds, visiting the horses in the pens behind the barn before walking into the barn. I stopped outside of Future Covenant’s stall, rubbing the chestnut’s soft face as he let his head hang over the stall door. I stood outside his stall for several minutes, reminiscing on when I’d watched the gelding brilliantly win at Santa Anita on HRTV. He’d suffered an injury in the race, which is why he is currently on stall rest, but he also won a large bottle of Grey Goose vodka that raised $1,000 for Remember Me. Future Covenant is not just a winner of three races, but he is a contributor to Remember Me. Not to mention he’s one of my favorite horses on the farm because of his endearing personality.

Hy Danger
Photo: Terri Cage

While in the barn, I paid a visit to my favorite newly-turned two-year-old, Hy Danger, who is out of a half-sister to the multiple group stakes-winning Strong Suit. The colt, who I have always thought resembles Zenyatta, stood at the front of his stall. I approached him, allowing him to sniff my hand before I reached up to rub his nose. When I moved my hand with the intention of stroking his neck, the colt flinched, jerking his head away. I murmured reassuringly to him, allowing him to sniff at my hand yet again. I stroked his head comfortingly while whispering to him and slowly, I moved my hand closer to his neck. Before I knew it, Hy Danger was allowing me to pet his neck without a problem.

As Lilly headed to the front paddock to bring Wyatt to the barn, my mother and I visited two of the yearlings in a nearby paddock. The chilly wind was picking up, but I stood along the fence and tickled the silky muzzles of the youngsters despite it.

Brushing Mikey
Photo: Terri Cage

Then it was time to visit with the horses that had arrived from Many, Louisiana. Though they were all either newly-turned two-year-olds or three-year-olds, they looked like skinny yearlings. We first led Mikey out of his pen and as Lilly held the chestnut colt, I brushed his copper-colored coat, admiring his long, thick forelock. The colt had an extremely sweet personality and stood serenely as I groomed him and also later as I allowed him to graze.

The next colt we brought out was Kipper. The bay two-year-old grazed calmly, relishing the green grass as Lilly held him. Just like Mikey, Kipper had a very kind personality.

We then brought out Suzie, who had been attempted to be saddled in Many by trainer Bill Young, who laughed when he told the story of her running loose for two days when she was saddled. There is physical proof along her withers and topline – white hairs and saddle sores – and also evidence in her apprehensiveness. When my mom and sister had visited the horses a few days earlier, Suzie hadn’t even been brave enough to eat grass. This time, though, she grazed contentedly while Lilly held her.

Eddie with Dallas Keen
Photo: Terri Cage

Donna and Dallas soon arrived – just in time for the most difficult horse of the four to be brought out. Dallas led Eddie out into the open and I looked on as the trainer worked with the three-year-old. Just a few days prior, the gangly colt had given Donna much trouble and had taken hours to finally begin to show signs of trust. Yet the malnourished colt had changed since then and was much more willing this time around. It was as if Eddie is beginning to realize he is in much better hands now.

Mikey, Kipper, Suzie, and Eddie are some of the lucky ones involved in the Many, Louisiana seizure. Over sixty horses were involved and more than twenty-five did not survive. Now that these four are at Remember Me Rescue, they have bright futures ahead of them.  Before long, they will nearly fit in with the rest of the horses on the Burleson farm. Every single horse that resides at Keen Farms receives the care every horse should get. Not only are Lilly and the Keens incredible at working with horses, but they have an immense love for the animal. When these four horses were under the “care” of owner Charles Ford and trainer Bill Young, they were not receiving the right care. But now, they will get the kind of care every horse deserves and each horse on the Keens’ farm receives: plenty of TLC.

Click here to donate and read more.

To read about it through Donna Keen's eyes, click here.

Visit Remember Me Rescue's Facebook page to keep up with news by clicking here.

Click here to visit Louisiana Horse Rescue Association's website to donate and learn more.

To hear Charles Ford's story, click here.


Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Diary of Dexter: A December Day

Diary of Dexter is a series within Past the Grandstand about my retired racehorse, Wet Paint (AKA Dexter). Periodically, the blog will feature updates on the grandson of Storm Cat. You will really grow to love this wonderful horse.

Dexter
Photo: Terri Cage

Much of this December has been full of cold, dreary days emphasized by cloudy skies, fog, pouring rain, and annoying drizzle. However, in the past couple of days, the sun has lit up the bright blue sky, leaving the temperatures in the mid-60s. That is what I call perfect riding weather.

The problem is, the weather has been damp quite a bit lately, which left the ground muddy for quite some time. Therefore, I did not get to ride as often as I wanted to. Yet, in these last few days of December, the ground has been ideal for riding, as has the weather.

Dexter had not been ridden in much too long. So when I saddled him in a Western saddle, I didn’t know what to expect. I led him out to the round pen, beginning to longe him. He behaved beautifully and soon I swung myself into the saddle.

“Good to be back,” I murmured to Dexter, leaning forward and petting his neck.

After some bending exercises and walking, I urged Dexter into a jog. He trotted along energetically, responding to my cues. After several laps around the round pen at a jog, I asked Dexter for a lope.

Since it had been so long since I’d last ridden him, I wasn’t sure if he would get his leads right. Yet he picked up the correct lead in each direction on the first try. As always, loping him brought a smile to my face.

Meanwhile, my mom was riding my mare and Dexter’s best friend, Pebbles, in the riding area outside of the round pen. I rode Dexter out of the pen to meet her and we rode around leisurely, doing some exercises to help Dexter remember that he didn’t always have to be in front of the other horse. He caught on quickly, behaving beautifully despite the clanging of someone building a fence nearby.

Just before we dismounted, I mentioned to my mom that three of the last four horses I have ridden have been Thoroughbreds, which is abnormal since I normally ride Quarter Horses, as I show them in 4-H. In fact, two of the past Thoroughbreds I have ridden were horses with touching stories that won over half-a-million dollars: Lights on Broadway and King of Speed.

Dexter only managed to win $32,851, but like Lights and King, Dexter is incredibly intelligent. I admire off-the-track Thoroughbreds greatly, especially because of their breathtaking intellect, and to have my own is an opportunity I have always dreamed of. Now I’m living the dream. Thank you, Dexter and thank you, Remember Me Rescue for my wonderful boy.


Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

An Interview with Alex Brown

Lights on Broadway at
Remember Me Rescue
Photo: Terri Cage

While working on my "Inspired by Lights" story for Esther Marr’s blog on bloodhorse.com, Beyond the Blinkers, I contacted Alex Brown for some information on how he was involved in the rescue of Lights on Broadway. I had known of Alex for quite some time because of his work with the Fans of Barbaro, but I did not know the story behind his work within the racing business and the rescue of racehorses. When he suggested that I do a blog post/interview with him to raise money for Remember Me Rescue, I was able to learn that story while helping raise money for an organization that is very dear to my heart.

For any orders via http://alexbrownracing.com/ that mention Remember Me Rescue, my website (Past the Grandstand or http://pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com/), or Lights on Broadway, Alex Brown will donate $10 per book (Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy) to Remember Me Rescue. How generous of him!

About Alex Brown (in his own words): A forty-something horseman, who has also had a career at Universities.  Originally from Cheshire in the U.K., I came to the United States in 1987 to work for trainer Michael Dickinson.  I have been in the Fair Hill area ever since.

PtG (Past the Grandstand): When did you first get involved in the racing business and why?

Alex: I grew up around horses in England.  Pony clubbing, hunting, showing and so forth.  I started riding point to points (amateur steeplechases) as soon as I could, and worked for trainers Mercy Rimell and Richard Whitaker while still in England and going to college in Leeds.  I have always had a passion for horses and horse racing seemed a great way to pursue that passion.

PtG: What is your relationship with horses like?

Alex: For the most part, I think very good.  I get along with horses; sometimes it is easier than with people!  Horses have no agenda; they are very straightforward and willing.  Obviously there is the odd horse you don't get along with, but I have been lucky to get along with most. 

PtG: What are some of the best experiences you’ve had in racing?

Alex: Leading up a winner at Cheltenham (England).  It was not at the Festival, but the New Year's meet.  My horse, Rorqual, was the 33-1 outsider, but he won easily, beating some very good two-mile chasers. [Also], watching Salty Langfuhn winning at Woodbine.  He is my favorite horse, always tried hard, and was good enough to win some very tough races. 

PtG: This interview will mostly be focusing on racehorse rescue, particularly the rescue of Lights on Broadway, but many people know you for your book, Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy. What inspired you to write that book?

Alex: I was fortunate to know Barbaro, see him train, and visit him when he was at New Bolton Center.  I managed a large website that kept people updated in his status when he was at New Bolton Center.  Through that process, I got to know a lot of the people involved in the story.  Barbaro inspired me to focus my energies more on horse welfare issues, and then to write the book.  It is my first book, and I should think my last.  But what an experience!!

PtG: You have received great reviews for the book, including fifty-four five star reviews on amazon.com. What is it like getting such good praise for it?

Alex: Amazing.  Especially as I am not really a writer.  It's all very flattering and humbling.  I do truly hope that the book is widely read; it carries with it some messages that I think are important. 

PtG: What brought you to your involvement in the rescue of racehorses?

Alex: It was all through the Barbaro experience.  His owners, the Jacksons, decided they wanted to use the Barbaro platform to help address some welfare issues.  I simply followed their lead, and am still following.

PtG: What is the Top Bunk List and how did it get its start?

Alex: Basically it is a list of horses that have made more than $500,000, but are now running in low level claiming races ($5,000 or less).  These old war horses have contributed immensely to our sport, and it is a means to try to keep track of them and make sure they get a decent retirement when the time comes.  The list was inspired by a horse named Top Bunk, who fit that category.  I met Top Bunk when he raced a Presque Isle; I was working at that meet at the time. 

PtG: Is there any specific rescue of a racehorse or retired racehorse that you were involved with that is particularly touching to you?

Alex: My involvement is mostly indirect, so I cannot really claim much direct involvement in anything.  I must admit though, the Lights on Broadway story is very cool, and one I directly address in my book.  It shows how much risk these old war horses are in, how an unfortunate change of ownership can really put a horse in jeopardy.  But it also shows that fortunes can change just as quickly in a positive direction, and many people rallied for this horse.  A great story.

PtG: When did you first hear about Lights on Broadway?

Alex: He was on the original Top Bunk list, a list provided to me by the Daily Racing Form, based on the criteria I asked.  He last ran at Fonner Park, very cheaply, and it had been a few months, then his name resurfaced in a workout in Kansas.  The wheels were then set in motion to seek out his status, who had him, and so forth.  It was great to see everyone rally.

PtG: How did you work with other racing fans and horse lovers to rescue Lights?

Alex: Mostly networking, using the internet, our own discussion board (on alexbrownracing.com) and some of my own contacts.  Google actually proved useful to get contact information for the trainer who purchased him off the truck. 

PtG: What is it like to see horses, such as Lights, that you have helped save in their second careers?

Alex: Obviously it is cool, but there are too many we miss I am sure.  That being said, we can each do a little bit, and it is very important that we do.

PtG: How has your website and social media helped your work?

Alex: The internet, and social media specifically, has been critical.  Old media and we could not have done anything like we can now.  The Barbaro saga would not have been as closely followed, the community would not have developed, and so on.

PtG: Obviously, you have dealt with many Thoroughbreds. For those thinking about adopting an ex-racehorse for the first time, what would you tell them about owning an OTTB and what advice would you give them?

Alex: Enjoy it!  They are smart, willing and athletic.  Probably the best type is the one who was just a little slow to be a great horse in racing, but can be a star in another sport. 

Thank you, Alex, for this opportunity. By the way, I agree with your advice. My OTTB, Dexter, was a little slow on the track but is a great riding horse!

I adopted Dexter through Remember Me Rescue, a non-profit foundation that readers have an opportunity to raise money for by purchasing Alex Brown’s book, Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy through http://alexbrownracing.com/ while mentioning either Remember Me Rescue, Past the Grandstand, or Lights on Broadway.


Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Lights on Blood-Horse

Thanks to Esther Marr of The Blood-Horse, I was published on her blog, Beyond the Blinkers, on bloodhorse.com. The blog post was an improved version of “Inspired by Lights.” I hope that the post will get Lights on Broadway and Remember Me Rescue the publicity they so rightfully deserve. Thank you so much to all those at Remember Me Rescue (including Donna and Dallas Keen and Lilly Armstrong), Esther Marr, Alex Brown, my parents, all my supporters, and of course, Lights on Broadway. The link is below. Enjoy!

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/beyond-the-blinkers/archive/2011/12/12/inspired-by-lights.aspx

Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.

Inspired by Lights

There are many things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving and my experiences with Remember Me Rescue and Lights on Broadway are some of those things.

Photo: Terri Cage

When you see Lights on Broadway, you see a very tall, narrow chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail and a head that resembles that of an Arabian. He’s a beautiful sight without a doubt, but if it weren’t for the help of true horse lovers, Lights would not be alive.

As a four-year-old in 2001, Lights on Broadway won the Assault Stakes at Lone Star Park, the Chick Lang Jr. Memorial Handicap at Retama Park, and the Star of Texas Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. With those three stakes wins and many other impressive performances, Lights was crowned 2001 Texas Horse of the Year.

Lights continued competing in stakes and allowance races for several years, until he was entered in his first claiming race in 2004, an allowance optional claiming at Lone Star Park in which he ran for a claiming price of $40,000. Nonetheless, Lights continued to compete in stakes races as well, placing in five stakes races in 2004 and winning the Carter McGregor Jr. Memorial Stakes in 2005.

However, Lights on Broadway’s fourth place finish in the 2006 Carter McGregor Jr. Memorial Stakes was his last start in a race that was not a claimer. In his last two starts at Lone Star Park, where he ended up making over 37% of his starts, Lights ran second in an allowance optional claiming for a claiming price of $20,000 before finishing second in a claiming race for a tag of $18,000.

When Lights was claimed next out at Remington Park for $10,000, he went to the barn of Cody Autrey. Then came a string of disappointing finishes: an eighth, a fifth, a third, a sixth, and a fifth. During that losing streak, Lights was claimed again and sent to Fonner Park in Nebraska. He returned to his winning ways there, crossing the wire in front in a $2,500 claiming race.

It was the last time Lights would stand in the winner’s circle after a race. The winner of six stakes races had found himself in the lowest of lows. He came face to face with a fate he did not deserve: Lights was loaded onto a slaughter truck.

However, Lights had a guardian angel looking out for him. The chestnut caught the attention of Gregg Sanders, a Quarter Horse trainer based in Oklahoma. When Sanders saw the papers that belonged to the horse that had earned $572,445, he realized Lights did not deserve to be on a truck that was headed to a slaughterhouse.

Sanders and his young daughter gave Lights some much needed TLC and the gelding made his return to the races four months after his previous start. Lights on Broadway raced two times before he made his final start on August 3, 2008, finishing seventh in a field of nine.

Meanwhile, Alex Brown, who recently wrote Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy, followed Lights. Through donations and the spread of word, Brown, horse lovers, and the Fans of Barbaro gave Lights on Broadway the retirement he more than deserved.

In stepped two women that would change the life of Lights forever: a racing fan and Donna Keen. Donna could not stop thinking about the horse and eventually she decided she would bring him to the Keens’ farm in Burleson, Texas with a little help from the racing fan. That little help was $3,000.

Lights on Broadway and Donna Keen
Photo: Terri Cage

The Keens helped Lights recuperate, allowing him to become sociable, put on some much-needed weight, and learn how to ride bridleless. Lights had become Donna’s buddy. Lights had inspired Remember Me Rescue, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that helps rescue or retire, retrain, and rehome ex-racehorses. Remember Me is where I found possibly the smartest horse I have ever owned, Dexter. If it wasn’t for Lights and the people that worked to save him, many ex-racehorses that now have loving homes would not have such bright futures.

Lights was eventually adopted and sent to a new home. However, two years later, Lights returned to Remember Me Rescue. This time, he was staying with Donna for good.

I met Lights on Broadway in September of this year. I had heard so much about him from Donna and was very excited to meet him. When I first caught sight of the golden chestnut, I was blown away by his beauty. He had the dished face of an Arabian, the eyes of a puppy, and the height of a camel. His coloring was like caramel, almost as if he was a red dun.

That day, though he was a bit antsy, I came to realize just how smart Lights was. As I held his lead rope in my hands and led him around in circles, I couldn't help but think, I’m leading a Horse of the Year. Yet I knew that Lights was more than just a Horse of the Year. He was a survivor, a fighter, and a best friend.

The day before Thanksgiving, I got to visit Lights for the third time. His coat had grown darker since I had first seen him and his muscles were more defined. As Donna rode him around for a bit, I stood watching. Suddenly, she asked me a question that honestly nearly knocked the breath out of me.

“Mary, do you want to ride Lights?”

She really didn’t have to ask. I walked up to the gelding, pulling myself into the Western saddle. Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind: And I thought Dexter was tall. Lights is seventeen hands-high. From aboard him, the ground is a long way down.

I began riding Lights around over the lush, green grass. The first thing I realized, other than the fact that he was gigantic, was that he was very smart and willing. He responded to everything I asked him to do, going where I asked him to go and turning when I asked him to turn. I brought him to a stop every now and then, thinking he would want to rest for a bit, but that wasn’t the case. Lights would stop for about two seconds before letting me know he’d had enough of being still.

Lights and me
Photo: Terri Cage

Riding Lights was similar to when I led him around the first day I met him. I was starstruck…by a horse. It’s happened to me many times before, such as when I met the likes of Smarty Jones, Blind Luck, Zenyatta, and many others. Lights on Broadway is on the list of horses that have left me starstruck.

Yet Lights is more than just a star. He ran eighty-three times, winning over half-a-million dollars, and landed in the lowest of lows after being crowned Texas Horse of the Year. He missed death by an inch but, because of the help of racing fans and horse lovers, he was saved. He’s made it this far and has inspired many horse rescues along the way. He’s inspired me by proving to me that you can get out of the lowest of lows and find your way back on top while helping others along the way. Lights on Broadway isn’t ‘just a horse.’ Lights on Broadway is a source of inspiration.

To read more about Lights and learn how to donate to help Lights on Broadway and other Remember Me Rescue horses, visit this link:
http://teamkeen.com/lightsonbroadway.html


I improved this article and it was published on the Blood-Horse on December 13, 2011. Thank you so much to Esther Marr and all those involved! It really meant a lot to get published on the incredible bloodhorse.com. The link can be found here. 

Remember to like Past the Grandstand on Facebook and follow Past the Grandstand on Twitter! Links can be found on the right side of the blog.