NorthStar326
From AlexBrownRacing
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Bio
Location = S. California
Owner of 9 racehorses. I'm committed to keeping my horses safe and trying to make improvements to the racing industry both for horse and fans, while attempting to actually make some money. All these goals have proven to be quite a challenge.
Within months of acquiring my first horse (in late 2003), I learned of horse slaughter. My life has not been the same since.
Since then, I discovered organizations like Exceller Fund, Our Mims, CBER and Lost and Found. I've helped to save or completely sponsored horses with most of these organizations, as well as contributed to or participated in several independent "saves".
Recently I met an independent rescuer, first on this Board and then 24 hours later via a phone call from a mutual friend in New York. Together we helped give a second chance to a horse named Piratesdragon, a big, gentle TB gelding now needing a loving home.
I am working to set up a follow-up network and encouraging rescues to do the same, to check on these horses frequently, after they are "saved". I've heard too many horror stories and it is just too easy for these beautiful creatures to fall through the cracks again. Just look at the gelding on CBER (Ashley/Tor) and another one listed in Joe's blog of TB Friends. Every day there are stories of hoarding and starving and neglect, and it just isn't enough to save them from slaughter unless we can see to it they never have to suffer ending up there again, or possibly worse, to be starved to death or abused.
Society needs to change from a place where irresponsibility in breeding and ownership is either rewarded or ignored, to a place where the responsible horse owners, breeders, rescuers are rewarded. There should be incentive to be responsible. It shouldn't be painful to care and act responsibly. It should be painful to those who don't!
Horse experience
Owner of 9 racehorses. Almost all are directly related. I've become dedicated to upgrading the "family" both in class and in racing soundness. The female line boasts Helen Barbee, older female champion of 1914 and the same female line as Housebuster and First Samurai.
Working toward getting trainer's license after learning the hard way, if you aren't wealthy your horses don't mean much to most trainers, therefore they don't have much of a chance to "be much" with most trainers. (The only exception I found to that, is a trainer in Florida, who coached me through rehabbing my gelding through an injury from 3,000 miles away. ***What a trainer, what a friend, what an amazingly dedicated horseman!***)
FOB activities
Identify rescues you support, other activities you have undertaken on TWR sites, what you have learned through following Barbaro and FOBs etc.
Exceller Fund, Our Mims, CBER and Lost and Found. I've helped to save or completely sponsored horses with most of these organizations. Helped to sponsor Our Mims getting her gravemarker by purchasing the Ruffian "win ticket" from her tragic last race.
Recently I met an independent rescuer, first on this Board and then 24 hours later via a phone call from a mutual friend and independent rescuer in New York. Together we helped give a second chance to a horse named Piratesdragon, a big, gentle TB gelding now needing a loving home.
I *learned* there is so much to be done and that saving the horse out of the killpen/off the feedlot is only the beginning. I've learned that laws don't mean all that much where horses are concerned, but that people speaking with a wise and united voice can accomplish miracles. Shutting down the slaughter houses and passing transport and purpose of sale laws are not enough. The horses need a safety net and those that create them and own them and use the horse to promote their own human interests need to be accountable and responsible for their actions and their behavior. Those that are responsible and who promote the welfare and humane care and "ending" of the horses, should be rewarded as the responsible citizens of this country that they are.
FOB Network
Blueshadow*** . I'm not really familiar with the difference between and FOB, a poster on the Board, and "independents".
I AM WATCHING THE FOLLOWING HORSES THAT ARE AT RISK to keep them safe. [The first one on the list is MISSING IN ACTION. I've fed most carrots at the facility where they used to be, before they were sold by their former owners:
PROUD DINERO, (TB) by Proud Irish (born 2000) Dk Bay Mare, last raced at Beulah Park in 2005. ***STILL MISSING*** as of 10-2-2010
TATTOO #D15230 (she is very pretty, btwn 15.1 & 16 hh.)
May have white star and snip.
SHE IS FAMILY! (She is a foal out of a full sister to my two mares, that just disappeard after several poor showings on hard, wet tracks). She's not shown up as bred or sold anywhere. May be in Michigan, Ohio, and any areas nearby the Beaulah Park and Great Lakes Downs tracks. You can see her races by signing up for free on www.calracing.com (race replays) and searching by horse, "Proud Dinero". WHERABOUTS UNKNOWN. I'm very concerned about her.
CINEMATIC, (TB) (born 2001) Chestnut/Sorrel Gelding by Bianconi (out of a Raise A Native mare)
Currently racing in Turf Paradise for $3k. Trained by Burton Sipp
***UPDATE***
Cinematic is safe in NY, since 12/2009, being cared for by wonderful people. Awaiting pics in next few days. A thousand thanks to trainer Burton Sipp for keeping his word and letting me know when Cinematic's racing days were over. Burton went the extra mile by keeping Cinematic at his barn for a few weeks until arrangements could be made for a safe landing. Cinematic was in excellent condition when he left Burton's barn, for his new home in NY. Thanks to the network of folks who helped secure Cinematic's "safe landing". Though we may not always agree on how or how many of these horses get to safety, even if it means a compassionate euthanasia...there is always gratitude for those that help those near and dear to my heart.
ZIPPY ZITER, (TB) (born 2003) Almost black Filly with bold white blaze. By Crowning Storm (a son of Storm Cat out of a Seattle Slew mare)
Very spunky. Currently racing in Turf Paradise for low level claimers. Trained by Burton Sipp
****UPDATE****
As of 12/2009 Zippy (along with Cinematic) are safe in NY, to hopefully find their special, forever families. As of 10/2/2010, Zippy as found a forever home with not only good people, but she will share her life with a "friend" that looks so much like her they could be sisters! Her friend was also a rescue, who is now pefectly plump on love and good care, as is Zippy. This new family knew right away how special Zippy is and I pray for their continued life's blessings and a long and mutually rewarding life together.
Once again...Burton is to be thanked for helping to get Zippy to a safe (after racing) landing. If other trainers were to be so cooperative and giving of their time and efforts...so many more could find that "safe landing" and well-deserved second chance at life. See Cinematic above for more info.
JUMP BAIL, (TB) (born 1998), by Skip Trial, Bay Gelding,
LAST RACED 1/08/2008 AT TURF PARADISE. DID NOT FINISH. Trained by Burton Sipp
****UPDATE****
As of 5/15/2010, JUMP BAIL was on his way to Florida, where it was hoped he would find a second career as a kid's riding horse at an "upscale" riding camp in Jupiter, FL. Well...somehow we found the one person in the world that didn't think JUMP BAIL was the sweet, kind gentleman that he is, so we (he and I) had about 90 days of stress and chaos, which left him losing a lot of weight and contracting a very bad case of rain rot.
We did finally find a small retirement farm for this gentle warrior, who ran 90 times and retired at age 12, after running 3rd in his last race (April 2010). We are sponsoring his support at this time...while we decide if we can afford to bring him to California, or can trust the ability to find him a truly safe and loving home so far away. THANKS TO MY GOOD FRIEND TJ, who went to check on Jump Bail, after he first arrived at the "upscale riding center" and letting me know he was the horse I thought he was (sweet and kind) and that he was just not in the right place for him.
JUMP BAIL is now hopefully on the mend...will soon be gaining weight and his rain rot is being treated by a vet and the farm owner. The farm owner is very kind and "classy" and a good horsewoman. I sent my own personal mixture of skin care (Baby Oil w/Aloe, Alcohol, Vitamin E oil) for his coat and we worked on a special diet for him. He's had his teeth done and his feet done. His feet hadn't been done since he had left Burton's barn. He's been wormed and vaccinated and I'm awaiting new pics to see his progress. OH...BTW...The owner of the farm where he is now says JUMP BAIL is indeed a very sweet and kind gentleman. And by the second day, he was just following her to the paddock, from his stall, without a lead rope. JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU...you really have to check out the places and people we place these horses with. Some people aren't what they say they are AT ALL!!! Thanks again to Burton and Brigett Sipp, for their patience and help in getting JUMP BAIL to a safe landing after racing. Burton has had a lot of old warriors in his barn and to my knowledge, he is always looking to find them a good home after racing. Not to mention...I've seen his barn...his shedrow and watched his training methods. The horses are treated well and he gives them time to rest, when they need it. Wish I could say that for more trainers!!!
COMMANDING STORM, TB, Bay Filly with a perfect HEART-SHAPED STAR and narrow strip, by Crowning Storm Last ran 1/21/2008 for MCL 5,000, at MOUNTAINEER, Owner/Trainer: George A Iacovacci, Sr.
****UPDATE****
Commanding Storm is listed in my Equineline Portfolio as having been bred last year to a TB Stallion. Can't remember name at the moment. Will update. I pray she produces beautiful and talented babies...so her life will be valued by those who have her. Ultimately, I pray she is truly loved no matter what she produces and her people keep her safe and well-cared for always.
FREE CLEARANCE, (TB) (born 2001) Dk Bay HORSE, by Cryptoclearance CLAIMED 12/17/2007 by *****DALE BAIRD****
****STILL MISSING AS OF 10/2/10***** Hasn't raced since 2009. I fear the worst, given his connections. ****If anyone knows where FREE CLEARANCE is (or ended up), please email me.****
Questions from other FOBs
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