New: May 2016 Hurry Up and Wait or Patience
Updates:
Horses are not machines. The health and soundness of the thoroughbred is one of the unpredictable aspects of horseracing. We sift through volumes of data in the Daily Racing Form, study nicking patterns, dosage profiles and spend hours analyzing pedigrees to increase our probability of success in breeding and racing. We observe form and fitness and form strong opinions on the readiness and capabilities of the racehorse.
Our horses, however, are living and breathing equine athletes and will have good days and bad. Horses will get sick and at some point during their career will suffer some sort of nagging or serious injury that may pull them off the track for several months. These are setbacks to our otherwise optimistic racing expectations. We start each year believing our horses are immune to such problems and will carry a superhero-like ability to never miss a workout or run like clockwork whenever called upon. However, they also remind they are not machines, often when we least expect it or when we are convinced they are poised for a peak effort.
It’s paramount to fully embrace our horses as living beings and not as machines; otherwise, we’ll make poor decisions in haste and rush them back into training, which add risk to the health and soundness of this beautiful athlete. Good and experienced horsemen understand this. They exhibit unwavering patience with both the thoroughbred and the horse owner. Trainer, groom, owner and horse then work together as a team, always keeping the best interest of the horse at the forefront. Unlike a corporate environment, in which we can assume more control via more time, more money, more people or more software code; managing a racehorse requires an understanding of his limitations and often times, a lot of patience. Racing will test your resolve.
Setbacks and extending timelines happen to everyone. When you ultimately celebrate your triumph, that moment catapults itself into one the most glorious and exhilarating experiences you will have. Euphoria will overwhelm you and your emotions may overtake you knowing the path you took and adversity you overcame to ensure his peak performance on the track on that day. Your insightful knowledge and insider status enhances the much anticipated eruption that occurs at the finish line and once again in the Winners Circle! It is this amazing payout that gives us the patience and perseverance and makes it all worthwhile and keeps us coming back for more.
We are still anticipating and hopeful of the debut for Pyscho Sister either later in May or during June, albeit a little later than we originally anticipated. Her first race will be the culmination of a regimented training program, careful daily examination of her health and fitness and of course the right dosage of patience from both owner and trainer alike. She will tell us when she is ready to perform on the track and we’ll be there to watch and hopefully bask in the glory that comes with victory! Regardless, we will marvel at her competitive nature.