Standardbred Spotlight
Adopted!!
Getinany BlueGrass

Foaled : March 15,1992
Sire: Fortune Richie Dam: Glass House
Trained & Raced by: Richard Donaly
15 starts, won $30,172. Record time 1:59

2004 SPHO-ME Ambassador Program

Greg: I first saw Blue when her owner, Mr. Obery, brought her to the Litchfield Fairgrounds. I was to look at her between the two driving clinics SPHO-ME was presenting to a couple 4-H groups. Blue's racing times were slowing and she was showing signs she wasn't interested in the sport any more. Co-clinician Bea MacDonald and I decided she had the right disposition for pleasure riding and took her home that afternoon in a windy thunderstorm.

From her first day with the SPHO, Blue demonstrated kindness and honesty with all who worked with her. She lived at Greg's home where she spent a pleasant summer relaxing, with plenty of freedom to graze and unwind from her life on the racing circuits. After very easy sessions of longing and long lining with Emma Ballou and Greg, she was soon ready to learn to accept saddle and rider. Nothing seemed to be a problem for her. While learning new signals from legs and reins, she never showed any sign of disobedience, and before long she was taken out for trail rides. Again, she was introduced to many hazards that might send some horses spinning, but she simply assessed each situation with calmness and intelligence, and carried her riders safely. In fact, her smooth gaits were pure pleasure, as those who rode her can testify. Besides Emma and Greg, three of those riders were Red Helmet ladies! She was also trailered to Photo Finish Farm where Robyn Cuffey hitched her to a jog cart for some turns around the indoor ring. It must have seemed strange to Blue to be working indoors rather than on an outdoor track, but after some anxiety she did adjust.


Greg:
Emma Ballou and I proceeded to train her along-side our first Ambassador horse, Henry. Emma B., Karen D., Pam R., Barrie J. & I have taken Blue for trail rides. A steady and confident Thunder (23 yr old Standardbred) was a big help training Blue out on the trail.

Greg had such confidence in Blue that he planned to have his nephew ride her in a Gorham parade. The weather intervened to prevent that event, but she and Greg participated in summer shows including Common Ground Fair, where she proved herself each time by taking several ribbons. Perhaps her most astounding performance was at the Cornish Fair where she and Greg were the marshals. More than once they succeeded at controlling other fractious horses who were veterans and should have known how to behave.

Greg:
Aug. 22- Blue and Greg competed in the Endless Summer Horse Show in Hollis, her first show. She placed in the two classes she entered. STB 2 gait pleasure - third in a class of five. Roadster under Saddle ~ placed second.

Sept. 11- Blue and Greg marshaled the races at the Cornish Fairgrounds. It was the annual Horseman's Day. Besides the typical leading harness horses onto the track, the pair was called into action four times to bring order to the field of horses who were getting away from their drivers.

Sept. 25- Blue and Greg's second show, the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine. We entered five classes. The results are as followed. Pleasure class- did not place, Roadster- first place, Pole bending- first place, Barrels trot or pace- first place, Open champion barrels- first place. Greg entered Blue in the Barrel & pole classes as a lark, she had never done these at speed before!


At the Common Ground Fair, Blue met her new owners, the Sawyer family of Dixmont, Maine. Each of us who knew Blue for the short time she was with SPHO fell in love with her immediately. She was a real lady -- kind, gentle, intelligent, and loving. We are glad we knew her and wish her and her new owners a long and happy life together.

If you are interested in meeting our current Ambassador Horse,
or are interested in being the next loving home please contact
Denise at denise@sphomaine.net or Greg at greg@sphomaine.net