Guest Blog — Tracy Vandegrift

Posted by victoria on August 11, 2012

Granger was a sad case.

My name is Tracy, and I found Victoria’s Facebook page through a mutual “like” on someone else’s horse oriented Facebook page. I, too, am on a “Quest for the Prix”, and although I have an age disadvantage, I just turned 50, my passion and my horse’s talent are going to get me there.

I got back into riding about 7 years ago, when I purchased an off the track thoroughbred from a horse rescue in Scottsdale, AZ. He had been off the track less than 24 hours, was still pumped up with steroids, and I thought he was magnificent. Long story short, after 5 years of falling off him (at LEAST 50 times), and with the constant nagging of my trainer, (who said if someone offers me 50 cents for that horse, TAKE IT), I sold him, with saddle and bridle, for a little bit more than 50 cents, not much more, I might add…

Granger, out of Gragenit (Grannus) a 17’3”, 9 year old Oldenburg gelding, came into my life quite by accident, although I had been praying for him for a long time. A patient at my dentist office told me her daughter was having hard times in her business, and she had this beautiful horse she was wanting to sell and would take very little for him. I wasn’t in the market for a horse as I still owned “EL” the crazy thoroughbred. I decided to go look at him to humor her and made an appointment to meet him after work on October 4, 2011. That same day, my friend called me to tell me my sister had fallen off of HER young OTTB, and was in the hospital with a shattered Ulna.

I was going to cancel the meeting with Granger and his owner, but figured it was on my way to the hospital, so I stopped by. There he was, on the end of a lunge line, all tethered up and looking like a skeleton! He had a sad look in his eye. I told Nora, his owner, he looked malnourished and she would be lucky to get 3000 dollars for him. She told me she paid 20,000 for him, and was asking 15,000. She also mentioned she was broke and desperate and couldn’t afford another month of board for him. She was going to give him to his old trainer for a free lease. I told her there was no way she would get 10,000 for him, let alone 15,000, and left to go see my sister at the hospital.

As I was driving, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. That sad look and those ribs. I thought about EL and how hard he was to ride, how I didn’t enjoy our partnership, and knew in my heart we were going nowhere.

I called my friend and mentor, Catherine, and told her about Granger. I asked her to come out and see him again with me. I wanted to ride him and re-evaluate him. I wanted to save him.

I went out a week later, rode him, and offered her 5000 dollars. She said no, but I could take him for a 6 month free lease, and I would need to take him before the end of the month. I said yes, and set the wheels in motion to figure out how I was going to afford board for two horses. I moved out of my expensive apartment into a roommate situation, where there was an extra stall for EL. I bonded with Granger as I agonized over finding a suitable home for EL, as I did love him.

He is filling out already!

Granger began gaining weight, and we bonded immediately. I distanced myself from EL and put flyers up to sell him. I got an offer and took it, loaded him up in my trailer, and tried not to look back. I focused on Granger, and what I was going to do to be able to buy him.

He wasn’t without issues. He had a huge bolting habit. He was very spooky and mistrusting. He couldn’t even run at liberty without falling down. I worked on his ground manners and getting him fat. I worked on trust. I worked on getting him healthy. And he did. He thrived with me. He was trying and I fell in love with him. I made my decision, and offered Nora 8,000. I felt she was getting the best of both worlds. I was getting her horse in shape, and therefore he was becoming more valuable. She didn’t return my first couple of calls, then said she wanted 15,000. I countered with 10,000, and told her that was my final offer. She said 11,000 and I said yes! I also worked out payment arrangements with her and am happy to report I made my last payment on July 27th!!!

Granger and I have gone to three shows, two just to hang out. At the last I was going to show in a flat class, but we were both too “up” and decided to scratch. We rode around the show grounds and watched some classes.

I have been working with my trainer, Jack, for the past 3 months, (Granger had some foot issues and was lame, and off, for two months, January and February, but he is 100% healed now). Jack is starting out slowly with me, and we have been doing lots of gymnastics. I am still working on his bolting issues. I work every Friday with my friend who is a dressage trainer and doesn’t charge me a dime. I am so thankful for my good fortune!

We have our first show on September 22 at West World in Scottsdale, and of course I am so excited. This Thursday my sister, my mentor and BFF Catherine, and I are going to Dale Creek, another barn a few miles away, for a jumping lesson with Jack to see how Granger will do in a different arena.

Granger has jumped over 4 foot with Catherine and his old trainer, but I am taking baby steps and am not going to attempt this until we are feeling 100% comfortable.