Boots the Jumper

Boots (JC Bootleggin Posse) was in the barns of Wasabi Ventures Stables from May through September 2022. He was retired that fall, as he showed that racing wasn’t the path for him. It was then that he met Hannah, his human best friend and discovered his next career as a jumper.

I recently reached out to Hannah for an update on Boots, and she had so many great things to share.

“Boots celebrated his 5th birthday in May! Since we last spoke, he has been his usual wonderful self. In October 2023, Boots and I competed in the Retired Racehorse Project in Kentucky. It was a great event to be part of and see so many thoroughbreds flourishing in their second career. I was so impressed with how well Boots handled being in an environment like that. Naturally there were baby moments, but all that ended in a positive learning experience! The RRP was an experience of a lifetime!

Fast forward to this month, Boots and I attended his first ‘official’ hunter/jumper show (outside of the RRP in Kentucky) this past week in Mason City, Iowa. We decided to compete in the low jumper .75m and .85m divisions to get him comfortable in the show ring and just have a fun, positive experience. He completely exceeded expectations and packed around like the best little brave baby!

I am so proud of him and how he continues to grow, I could not love my little guy more!”

Stories like this are heartwarming. I have the great fortune of following our retirees and hearing all that they accomplish. Not only do they acquire new skills, but they also make incredible impacts on the humans in their lives. Here’s to many more birthday celebrations and successful horse shows for Boots and Hannah!

To read a previous update on Boots, please click here.