Standardbred Spotlight
Grady's Falcon

Foaled : April 7, 1991
Sire: Falcon Almahurst Dam: Grades Hompage
Trained & Previously Owned By:
Randy Bickmore
Lifetime mark of 1:51.1, and earnings of $319,471

2006 Ambassador Horse Program

SPHO-ME was contacted by Nancy Kopack with regard to a horse that was ready to retire from racing after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 14. Randy Bickmore just knew that Grady would make a wonderful pleasure horse.

SPHO-ME had been offered a foster home with Barbara Sawtelle, we were ready to bring a horse home. Greg, Denise and Guy took a trip to Cumberland raceway to meet Grady's Falcon and assess him.

Grady was in his stall quietly munching on his hay. We asked all our questions and all of the answers were positive. Grady was the last fed in his barn because he is so patient about getting his grain. What a wonderful face he had, but what about his body after 14 years of racing, none of us knew what to expect.

Randy brought Grady to the crossties, he stood patiently as we checked him over. We were all amazed, this horse was spotless. Even a pleasure horse at the age of 14 would be lucky to present with clean legs. This was a tough horse. His temprament was everything but tough, he thoroughly enjoyed the attention. Walking out of the barn with a strange handler away from his racemates was uneventful. Even after Denise put on a hat for a festive picture he had no reaction.

This was an Ambassador horse we all agreed. We set up a date and time for Grady's Falcon to be picked up and begin his new training to become a pleasure riding horse.

Greg picked Grady up at the track in December. Another uneventful trip to his foster home.
Grady didnt waste his time stretching his legs and getting to know his new surroundings.

He settled in his stall that night like he had been there before. Enjoying talking to the new "girls" across the aisle.

Grady soon met someone that he thoroughly enjoyed visiting with. Her name was Merissa. She would spent countless hours, grooming and visiting almost everyday. He was starting to think she was his very own.


This story continues in other's words from their experiences with Grady' Falcon.

Lori Pennell worked diligently with Grady on the ground and under saddle, spending many hours volunteering with this wonderful horse.

Grady's Falcon by Lori Pennell

I first met Grady one day in December. He had only been off the track a short while and had the sleek look of an equine athlete. I went in his stall to say hello and noticed that he was a little bit nervous. It was a new place, new people, and he didn't have to go out for training anymore. Since he was going to be a pleasure horse, and probably someone's first horse, I wanted to help him relax and take his retraining slowly. He appeared to be a sensitive horse and I wanted to make sure he trusted me completely before I got on his back.
Grady's training started in the middle of winter, not the best time to train a horse! Ice and frozen ground limited our training at his foster barn but allowed me to have time to get to know him. I started by grooming and leading him around the yard. From the ground I tested how sensitive he was to pressure in different areas and gave him lots of praise when he responded appropriately. None of this was new to him, having been a racehorse most of his life, but I still needed to determine his temperament to better adjust the direction of his training.

It wasn't long before Grady was hauled to an indoor arena to really get started on his training. Within minutes he was lunging well on the left side (the right side was harder) and he behaved impeccably in a new place. Within a month I began putting pressure on his back, then sitting on him, which progressed to getting led around the yard. He took to riding very naturally. Of course all the carrots we fed him didn't hurt! From there it was almost too easy. Grady learned very quickly and was a gentleman the entire time.
Grady's new owner Merissa took part in the entire training process. Shortly after I sat on him, she began sitting on him and riding him. She also worked with him in between the times I visited to reinforce his lessons. It has been wonderful to see her progress with Grady. They appear to be a perfect match! I wish them both many hours of happy riding in their future!

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Merissa Harmon's Story of her Childhood Dream Come True

I have spent most of my childhood with the typical young girls dream to have a horse of my own. I took lessons for many years and loved every minute of it. We all know there is nothing like the connection someone can have with such a beautiful creature. While I established my career I put horses on the backburner, until my friend called and told me the horse they were going to foster was on it's way. Since that cold December evening my life has never been the same. He was a handsome bay gelding with a star between his big endless brown eyes and a white hind pastern. He stood 15.3 hands and as he came off the trailer he looked around, snorted and looked at us wondering where his dinner was. I knew at that second he was not leaving this barn. I started visiting the barn everyday and he soon had a new halter, blanket and admirer. His calm temprament and warm eyes began to fuel my passion for horses which I had as a child.

I started working with Lori Pennell in his retraining which also led me to a new friend and trailriding partner. I took lessons but never knew the art and rewards of training. I never had the connection which I have established with Grady. In the begining we started lunging and long lining him which he took to rather quickly. Although he does get nervous in new situations he was always sensible and would never run off or cause intentional harm. I have also used some natural horsemen techniques including round penning with him and at times he lets me think I' m the leader! We continue to build trust in eachother and have participated in many trailrides. In the beginning he would startle at "scary" trees and puddles. Now he wallups through the mud and eats the trees, that is progress! We are working on ring work and he has proven he can canter, just not on command. I figure when the time is right we will have our gallop through the fields, but untill then I'm patient and I just enjoy every second he is in my life.

He officially became my horse in May, well actually I became his Human.
After a tough day at work all I need to do is look into his endless eyes and I'm at peace. I know he will be spoiled for the rest of his years which will include playing with his 3 girlfriends (no one told him he was gelded!), going on trailrides and just being a horse. After introducing him to my younger cousins he has proved to be a gentle giant. Including a child with autism in which I have never seen Grady be so tenative and gentle and I 'm excited on building on that relationship. I'm honored to have this opportunity and thank the SPHO-ME, Barbara Sawtelle (foster mom) and Lori for helping my dreams come true. It is a happy ending for a horse who gave his all in his racing career and now deserves the favor to be returned.

A special thank you to all those involved who voluteered and fostered for Grady's Falcon's during his transition from retired racehorse to pleasure horse. Also to those who donated him to our program!