Who We Are
Kait Schultz is an Alfred University graduate, having had a focus in Pre-Veterinary studies and a minor in Equine Science. She has worked with Thoroughbreds in the breeding industry at Keane Stud in Amenia, NY since 2005, and has been working with breaking, re-training and selling thoroughbreds since her first endeavor with Cranky Pants (seen above) in 2008. For more information on Kait, visit her website: thundercrestperformancehorses.weebly.com
Tesla Parker is a senior at Alfred University, majoring in Political Science, with a minor in History. Riding wise her main focus is Three-Day Eventing. Her ties to off the track Thoroughbreds got an early start (at 11 years old) with her first horse, Sage Advice. Sage (formerly Charming Bride) was a 4 y.o. TRF rescue who was pulled of the trailer at Finger Lake Race Track in 2002. For more information visit Tesla's website HERE.
How we started - The orignal Thoroughbred Chronicles
The Thoroughbred Chronicles was originally a website created by Kait Schultz, then a Senior at Alfred University, and Tesla Parker, then a Junior, as part of a three credit independent study project for the 2012 Spring semester. Since thoroughbreds can have a new life away from the track, and can continue on to be outstanding athletes in any discipline, the goal of our blog was to reach others and show everyone the up's, down's, and in-between's and highlight the awesome personality that is the OTTB.
So where did it start?
A brilliant idea. A few trips up to the Finger Lakes track and a couple of horse-crazy girls with the assistance of Finger Lakes Finest, paved the way for a stack full of photos, descriptions and trainer names and numbers, and an e-mail to Nancy that basically read..." Tesla and I have a brilliant idea...can we meet? "
She met our crazy idea with a "sure, let's make it happen" and we were off. The whole project formed itself from the time we set a date to go look at horses. We spent an entire day wandering all over the backside, chatting with trainers, being re-directed to other horses and other trainers all over, back tracking, re-tracking, re-checking. We stumbled upon Ryker by chance as a trainer came up to us and asked if we were looking for horses to buy. When he came out of the barn Tesla's eyes lit up, she had picked hers right then and there (as he nearly jumped on top of the groom attempting to jog him for us). He stopped, his feet were terrible and she put him back in the stall and well, he was your idea of an OTTB. Kait's (and Harry's!) favorite was de-nied! by Nancy along with the lack of being able to find the trainer, so we kept searching. We drove to a couple of other local farms, and on our second to last stop, two horses were available. A sassy thing, freaking out on the hot walker, and this quiet, awfully cute grey, standing in the stall, totally oblivious to anything else going on around him. The lady walked him out, Kait looked at Harry, Harry looked at Kait, both looked at the gray, Harry nodded, Kait smiled, that was her horse.
So where did it start?
A brilliant idea. A few trips up to the Finger Lakes track and a couple of horse-crazy girls with the assistance of Finger Lakes Finest, paved the way for a stack full of photos, descriptions and trainer names and numbers, and an e-mail to Nancy that basically read..." Tesla and I have a brilliant idea...can we meet? "
She met our crazy idea with a "sure, let's make it happen" and we were off. The whole project formed itself from the time we set a date to go look at horses. We spent an entire day wandering all over the backside, chatting with trainers, being re-directed to other horses and other trainers all over, back tracking, re-tracking, re-checking. We stumbled upon Ryker by chance as a trainer came up to us and asked if we were looking for horses to buy. When he came out of the barn Tesla's eyes lit up, she had picked hers right then and there (as he nearly jumped on top of the groom attempting to jog him for us). He stopped, his feet were terrible and she put him back in the stall and well, he was your idea of an OTTB. Kait's (and Harry's!) favorite was de-nied! by Nancy along with the lack of being able to find the trainer, so we kept searching. We drove to a couple of other local farms, and on our second to last stop, two horses were available. A sassy thing, freaking out on the hot walker, and this quiet, awfully cute grey, standing in the stall, totally oblivious to anything else going on around him. The lady walked him out, Kait looked at Harry, Harry looked at Kait, both looked at the gray, Harry nodded, Kait smiled, that was her horse.
Nancy Kohler is the Director of the Equestrian Program at Alfred University, who allowed for the project to take form. Harry Hurd, the Western Director at the Equestrian Center at Alfred helped make this possible with a few of his numerous connections in the Thoroughbred world.
Also, a huge THANK YOU to Tammy and Hoss who let our boys have their let down time out at there farm and took FANTASTIC care of them in their transition from the track to being a real horse!
Also, a huge THANK YOU to Tammy and Hoss who let our boys have their let down time out at there farm and took FANTASTIC care of them in their transition from the track to being a real horse!
The rest is history and can be found throughout the pages of our blog, and in the archives. Please enjoy and spread the word!
WE ENCOURAGE COMMENTS, INPUT, CONVERSATION, ETC. DON'T BE SHY, BUT DON'T BE RUDE!
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WE ENCOURAGE COMMENTS, INPUT, CONVERSATION, ETC. DON'T BE SHY, BUT DON'T BE RUDE!
Be sure to "like" us on facebook!!