Thoroughbred Makeover Diary: Again for 2023 with ‘Daring, Courageous, and Skilled’ Bronn

I’m so thrilled to be again on this journey with America’s Greatest Racing, striving for this 12 months’s Thoroughbred Makeover with my gelding Bronn. I final blogged for ABR in 2021, as I used to be bringing alongside my mare Pied N True for the Makeover, dwelling down in Texas. There may be an inside understanding amongst RRP alumni that the Makeover can and can change your life… I had no thought how true this was and the way my life would change endlessly. 

To summarize: We made it to the Makeover in 2021. Pied took me farther than I might have ever imagined. I met some unbelievable women, two of whom are members of the Arapahoe Hunt Membership exterior of Denver. I watched Autumn Sorenson compete her mare, Ms. Battlefield (aka Thistle, who ended up second), within the Discipline Hunter’s mock hunt on a stunning, foggy Kentucky morning. Quick ahead to later that 12 months, I joined on a hunt (driving Thistle), inflicting me to fall in love with the game and transfer to Colorado for a sabbatical from Texas. We then created a workforce, the Inexperienced Thumb Thoroughbreds, and introduced two geldings to the 2022 Makeover. To not point out, due to my expertise on the Makeover with Pied, I used to be hooked and needed to strive once more with a person horse, with the intention of mentioned horse to be a gross sales undertaking (Sure, all who know me can chortle. Why I assumed I might ever have the ability to promote a horse…) 

Enter Bronn.

Due to my journey with Pied, I grew to become associates together with her assistant observe coach. There’s no easy approach to describe that unbelievable mare… possibly that she has as many personalities as she has colours (she has very distinctive coloring for a Thoroughbred). So having a human ally educated about her persona was a HUGE assist and plenty of enjoyable as her coaching progressed. She works on the tracks in Southern California, and after I obtained a message from her with details about this tall (I imply 17 palms TALL), darkish and good-looking gelding named Bronn who was prepared for a brand new profession, it was love at first sight. She put me in contact together with his connections and he grew to become a Valentine’s Day reward to myself and initially a 2022 Makeover hopeful. I couldn’t have imagined a greater (and gelded) man to enter my life!

Bronn belonged to, and nonetheless is deeply liked by, Jill Baffert. She was, and nonetheless is, extraordinarily concerned in his rehoming and journey. I used to be instructed that he was named after a favourite “Sport of Thrones” character, and I can see why.

A pair weeks after his arrival, whereas brushing his tail (like I had many occasions prior), I felt a brand new lump. It’s in my nature to panic about something that might be fallacious with my horses, so I referred to as the vet and he or she got here that week to take away and ship the mass for biopsy. At that time, he was simply 5 and as robust and wholesome as wholesome as might be. Properly…I’ll always remember the cellphone name, “Meghan. It’s most cancers and it’s unhealthy.” It was malignant melanoma, extremely deadly in younger bays. 

This melanoma is such a freak factor, rising and spreading in a single day – there’s NO WAY this was an oversight from his prior connections. When Bronn arrived, he was in good situation and so sound. He had only recently gained and was prepared for his subsequent chapter. I’ve by no means in my life been round such a powerful animal and to assume that I might be his new rider… it’s nonetheless a dream come true. 

My vet, Dr. Piper Norton, a prime equine internist, got here up with a plan, touchdown on Co2 lasering the margins of the tumor and placing him on an aggressive Oncept Melanoma Vaccine therapy with radiation being subsequent if and when wanted. I misplaced a lot sleep deciding if I ought to inform his earlier proprietor, however as a result of he was and remains to be so liked, I finally selected to share the information as soon as our therapy plan was underway. It’s no shock that Jill has been so graciously supportive and continues to test in on each of us. I couldn’t think about a greater observe proprietor –  she really cares greater than I can relay in phrases. I’ve been across the tracks nearly all of my life, and I’ve but to satisfy an proprietor and a barn that cares for his or her horses at such a excessive stage.

As a result of his restoration got here first, I made a decision to scratch Bronn from the 2022 Makeover and determined that ought to every part go properly, we might look to enter 2023’s competitors. His final race would make him eligible for ‘23, so I figured there was no rush! Properly right here we’re, a 12 months later, and he continues to beat the percentages. I don’t at the moment have a plan on which self-discipline like I did with Pied. I plan to let him inform me what he enjoys doing within the subsequent few months. It has been a BRUTAL winter right here in Colorado, which has allowed for a sluggish restart. Up to now, I’ve a handful of rides on him and now we have finished a pair outings: a pair path rides together with a unicorn-themed journey on his birthday (so if he can put up with me by that, we might have an opportunity!), an tour to the hunt, and somewhat cross rail clinic. He’s daring, courageous {and professional}. 

Although I haven’t watched an episode of “Sport of Thrones,” I’m instructed that Bronn is a jovial fighter to not be messed with. Properly, there certain isn’t a greater approach to describe him, and I do know he’ll preserve combating! Up right here in Colorado, he’s below the watchful eye of Dr. Melissa Fenn. We’re so fortunate to know such marvelous equine internists! Footage definitely don’t do that horse justice. He has probably the most wonderful persona, an absolute mild big. Nothing appears to part him. He’s the kind of horse that, if you find yourself driving, you’re feeling like you possibly can conquer the world. I’m past excited and grateful for the chance to convey such a horse alongside and I’ll do every part in my energy to do proper by him. There may be not an opportunity I might have the ability to half with him, and figuring out that he’s going to be in my herd endlessly makes this journey much more particular. I’m excited to share this journey with you all, as I’m additionally seeking to convey Pied alongside for the TIP Championships throughout Makeover week!