2008 Trainee Views

January 2009 - USA

The group has just completed its first month here in the states. It has been a brisk but eventful month. Everyone save Sorrell arrived on time and safe. She spent 3 days travelling held up by some bad storms, but did finally arrive and was greeted by the rest of her DFS family. Gary and Chance drove nearly 2,000 miles from Chance’s home town in Salt Lake City to Lexington over four days to show Gary some of the beautiful American countryside. Once everyone was settled into the apartments it was time to get to work. During our first week Michael Banahan gave us the complete tour of all the Darley farms including the recently acquired Stonerside. It’s a stunning farm, and everyone is fired up to spend some time near Paris and take advantage of this new opportunity. We had the pleasure of meeting the staff and spending some additional time with Bobby Spalding and John Adger. Both are new to DFS and are just as eager to work together as we are.

We were welcomed to Kentucky with a very nice reception, where many of the management and staff enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks. It happened to be Chance’s birthday, which Olly Tait was so kind as to point out during the reception, much to Chance’s dismay. The celebrations continued later that night with dinner and drinks at a proper Kentucky honky tonk.

The following week was the Keeneland January Mixed Sale. It was incredibly cold, but the trainees relished the opportunity to spend some time walking the historic grounds of Keeneland with the nominations staff evaluating some Darley progeny. The group split up between the noms team and had a chance to get some good insight about the American industry one on one. Each of us also spent a day with one of the Veterinarians from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. This was an excellent opportunity to witness firsthand the role of the Vet during the sales. Many of the trainees were able to assist in scoping horses, evaluating radiographs, and our favorite... checking mares for pregnancy! It really was beneficial and all the Vets were gracious enough to allow us to spend some time with them, it was a great opportunity. Some of us attempted a syndicate for a pin-hooking venture but soon found that even the direst economic conditions were still far beyond our financial means. However a thorough business plan has been developed upon graduation and a regular income. During the sale many of the local stallion farms had open houses. The Flying Starts took full advantage of this and saw many of the proven as well as new stallions, including two time horse of the year, Curlin.

Two weeks at the Kentucky Horseshoeing School proved just as demanding as we had been told. Mitch Taylor was an excellent instructor with incredible knowledge. We had the opportunity to witness a lower limb dissection which everyone found a little smelly, but very beneficial. A small diner just outside Shelbyville was the choice for lunch the first day. The Europeans were caught off guard when they found no menu to order from. Fortunately the waiting staff were more than accommodating and some good old fashioned cheeseburgers were hot off the grill. That afternoon we strapped on our aprons, bloodied our hands with our rasps and eventually took some hoof wall off the cadaver legs. By the end of the first day our backs were stuck in a bent over position, our hands raw and our legs completely weary. The second week was spent under live horse flesh finding it even more strenuous to deal with a live animal out in the beautiful January elements. Fortunately everyone passed our trimming practical with flying colors. The final written exam also proved a challenge. Mitch expected a lot from us, but nearly two hours later everyone had completed the exam much to his and our satisfaction.

This week has been met with record cold and ice storms. Our accommodations lost power for a few hours but we are all safe and warm now. Most everyone spent the night in our lecture room studying for our horseshoeing course. McDonalds, Red Bull and a brutal winter storm make for the perfect study conditions. Our nutrition class at UK was cancelled due to the weather, but we are looking forward to getting back in the class with Dr. Lawrence next week. It looks to be a challenge but no doubt will be beneficial for us all.

Beginning next week we will start our working rotations. Jimmy and Mick will start off the teasing rotation at Gainsborough, while PJ and Meagan will be the first to work out at Stonerside. The others will be spread out across Lexington, but will get back together in the afternoons for lecture. We’re looking forward to the next few months, there is a lot to look forward to and a lot of work to do as well.

Chance Timm

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Chance and Gary under an arch
Chance and Gary's road trip