The Thoroughbred Makeover and Nationwide Symposium offered by Thoroughbred Charities of America that we all know in the present day differs from the unique model of the occasion Dr. Jennifer Selvig participated in 11 years in the past. Selvig is returning to the Thoroughbred Makeover in 2024 to compete for an opportunity to win prize cash and display the flexibility of her companion and profitable former racehorse, Sizzling Shot Child.
The occasion runs Oct. 9-12 on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
Selvig grew up in Webster, Minn., and has been driving horses since earlier than she may stroll. After displaying curiosity in leaping on the age of 10, her mom enrolled her in English driving classes. She started eventing together with her first Thoroughbred, which she acquired off the monitor when she was 14.
“(Eventing has) at all times been part of me,” Selvig stated. “I don’t keep in mind a time after I wasn’t obsessive about it.”
In eventing, a single horse and rider should full three phases of competitors: dressage, cross nation, and present leaping. The pair with the bottom mixed rating wins.
Fusing her curiosity in horses and biology, she earned her Bachelor of Science diploma in Ecology, Evolution, and Habits in 2003 and Physician of Veterinary Medication in 2007 from the College of Minnesota.
Following commencement, she joined Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital in Prior Lake, Minn., as a veterinarian. On this position, she was given the chance to work as a racetrack practitioner at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., for a couple of summers.
“It was such expertise as a vet and as a efficiency veterinarian.”
Throughout that point, Selvig teamed up with buddies and began a nonprofit that centered on rehabbing and rehoming off-the-track Thoroughbreds. After a couple of years of success, the choice was made to grow to be an affiliate of Communication Alliance to Community Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER) to achieve publicity and have entry to extra assets. The partnership produced constructive outcomes for a number of years.
Though CANTER Minnesota isn’t as energetic lately attributable to numerous circumstances, Selvig remains to be concerned as a member of the Nationwide Board of Administrators for CANTER USA.
In January 2023, Selvig grew to become an proprietor of Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital.
Reflecting on her expertise as a aggressive rider and her various information as a veterinarian, Selvig stated, “I’m uniquely positioned to have the ability to take a look at these off-the-track horses, particularly, and relate what was occurring of their racing careers to what now we have occurring of their efficiency careers.”
Selvig and her husband, Ben, personal and function Stargazer Farm, a 22-acre boarding and coaching facility, in Elko New Market, Minn. It’s dwelling to her off-the-track Thoroughbreds, Chief Justice of the Peace and Doodle Hopper, and quite a lot of different animals.
In 2013, Selvig was chosen as certainly one of 26 trainers to take part within the Retired Racehorse Mission’s inaugural Thoroughbred Makeover and Nationwide Symposium at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The occasion showcased Thoroughbreds with 90 days of coaching performing demonstrations in numerous disciplines. Selvig acquired and retrained Hopscotch Ali, a 2005 mare by Minardi out of Trolley’s Triumph (by Minneapple), for the occasion.
Jen Selvig and Hopscotch Ali on the 2013 Thoroughbred Makeover at Pimlico Race Course
Since then, the format of the Thoroughbred Makeover has modified and is acknowledged as a nationwide retraining occasion, with horses and riders competing for prize cash in 10 disciplines: barrel racing, aggressive path, dressage, eventing, area hunter, polo, ranch work, present hunter, present jumper, and freestyle (a free-form self-discipline to showcase expertise of the coach’s alternative).
“I’ve been sort of trying to get again into it ever since, however I haven’t actually had a possibility to get one other one that matches the invoice.”
That was till 2022 when she caught wind of a particular horse that was nearing retirement.
Nicole Boentgen, who boards two off-the-track Quarter Horses at Stargazer Farm, is the Animal Well being Specialist for the Minnesota Racing Fee overseeing the gathering of blood and urine samples from racehorses at Canterbury Park and Operating Aces harness monitor.
“(Nicole) is aware of all of the horses that come via (the take a look at barn). She was like, ‘I guess this horse goes to be retiring quickly. He’s tremendous cool, all people loves him. It is best to ask (coach Mac Robertson) about him.’ ”
Sizzling Shot Child wins 2020 10,000 Lakes Stakes at Canterbury Park
It was Sizzling Shot Child, a 2014 Minnesota-bred gelding by Majestic Warrior out of the Officer mare Our Candy Mary B. He was bred and owned by Warren Bush, who died in June 2022. Sizzling Shot Child continued to race underneath the possession of Linda Bush, Warren’s spouse.
Throughout his eight-year racing profession, Sizzling Shot Child racked up 10 stakes wins, 5 of which had been in a single season, and 6 stakes placings at Canterbury Park. He was voted champion 3-year-old of the meet in 2017 and was the unanimous alternative for horse of the meet in 2019. Though Sizzling Shot Child primarily raced at Canterbury Park, he additionally had wins at Oaklawn Park and Keeneland.
Successful the ultimate begin of his profession on Sept. 4, 2023, at Canterbury Park, Sizzling Shot Child grew to become the all-time main Minnesota-bred earner with $708,816, surpassing the earlier report of $700,839 set by a number of stakes winner Mr. Jagermeister.
Sizzling Shot Child retired with a 17-10-3 report in 54 begins and earned $708,816.
“(Sizzling Shot Child) was one thing particular,” Bush stated. “I knew that my husband wished him to have second dwelling and a profession, in order that was necessary to me.”
Robertson reached out to Selvig every week later and let her know she may come and choose him up. Upon arriving at Stargazer Farm, Sizzling Shot Child obtained a six-week trip.
Jen Selvig selecting up Sizzling Shot Child from Canterbury Park in September 2023
The 16.1-hand chestnut was inducted into the Canterbury Park Corridor of Fame on July 12, 2024.
Though his accomplishments on the monitor had been thrilling to Selvig, Sizzling Shot Child’s longevity appealed to her extra, saying “I really like warhorses, that’s sort of my factor. Most of my profitable horses have been warhorses. I really like these horses which have raced a lot as a result of they’re sound.”
Selvig and Sizzling Shot Child will compete within the eventing and dressage disciplines on the Thoroughbred Makeover. Adhering to the rulebook, Selvig started bringing him into work Dec. 1, 2023. With assistance from common classes, Hit Shot Child has excelled via each stage of coaching with the professionalism he exuded on the monitor.
“He’s the best restart I’ve ever had on a Thoroughbred, palms down,” Selvig stated.
The pair furthered their schooling by collaborating in a clinic collection this summer season with 2008 Beijing Olympic Eventing qualifier Becky Holder.
Sizzling Shot Child has three horse trials underneath his belt, all at Otter Creek Farm in Wheeler, Wis. After competing on the Newbie Novice degree in Might, he moved as much as Novice in August, ending sixth of 14. His most up-to-date outing was in September.
“I believe he’s prepared (for the Thoroughbred Makeover). He’s courageous; I believe he’s going to do superb.”
Bush would love nothing greater than to observe her homebred celebrity exhibit all that he has realized within the final 10 months, however, regrettably, she will be unable to attend the Thoroughbred Makeover. The Iowa native sends her greatest needs to Sizzling Shot Child and Selvig, and can be eagerly awaiting the outcomes.
“I really feel extraordinarily privileged to have this horse. I’m so grateful to all of his connections for trusting me,” Selvig stated.
Different notable horses with regional success competing on the Thoroughbred Makeover embody My Boy Tate, the 2021 champion New York-bred male sprinter, and a number of stakes winners Boldor (Virginia-bred), Winston’s Probability (New York-bred), and Royal Urn (New Jersey-bred).
Preliminary competitors at The Thoroughbred Makeover and Nationwide Symposium begins Oct. 9 and concludes Oct. 10. Click on right here to view the entire checklist of the entries. The Finale Championships are Oct. 12. For extra info, go to Retired Racehorse Mission’s web site.