The College of Kentucky is thought for excellence in lots of sports activities. Rodeo is constructing towards turning into one among them. Based in 2013, the workforce has steadily grown to include Barrel Racing, Bull Driving, Goat Tying, and Workforce Roping.
Most horses on the workforce are Quarter-Horses, however one workforce specifically stands out due to an off-track Thoroughbred named Titan, who competed as a racehorse as Good Stuff and was sired by Widespread. Emma Denno, Titan’s proprietor, purchased him when she was 14 and began to coach him on her personal.
Good Stuff began his racing profession in July 2015 and made his ultimate begin Oct. 28, 2017 at Golden Gate Fields. He received 4 of 11 races and earned $21,210. As soon as prepared to start out his second profession, Titan was retired from racing and purchased by a personal proprietor.
Round that point, Denno was on the hunt for her subsequent horse. She was searching for a Quarter-Horse that had data of the barrel racing sample and shortly realized that what she was searching for was both out of her finances or too far-off. Then, she got here throughout Good Stuff on EquineNow. Fortunately, he was in Modesto, Calif., and solely a pair hours away from her residence in Santa Rosa. The primary time she tried him, it was an ideal match.
“I didn’t strive any horses after him, I deiced I actually appreciated him.” mentioned Denno, who renamed him Titan. “His goofy character, athleticism, and his construct have been deciding components.”
Thoroughbreds make nice rodeo horses as a result of they’ve the flexibility in addition to aggressive nature to wish to win.
“Titan may be very aggressive and all the time needs to be first,” Denno mentioned.
Titan is proof that Thoroughbreds will be the very best journey buddy, particularly for competing. Denno mentioned his experiences as a Thoroughbred racehorse helped him make a easy transition.
“From him being on the monitor and attending to see the crowds and listen to the loud noises, he was already uncovered to these parts,” she defined. “Transitioning to rodeo crowds was not tough since he was already acclimated to the journey and busy-ness.”
Being in Thoroughbred-rich Kentucky was an vital a part of Denno’s resolution when selecting the place to attend faculty. Kentucky holds many Thoroughbred occasions such because the Thoroughbred Makeover in October. On the Thoroughbred Makeover, OTTBs compete within the barrel racing amongst many disciplines, showcasing their versatility.
“I simply fell in love with all of the Thoroughbreds and all the center,” she mentioned.
After touring College of Kentucky, Denno mentioned she felt the workforce and the welcoming ambiance on the Okay Bar C ranch, the place the workforce is positioned, can be the very best place for each her and Titan. As a result of the rodeo workforce is comparatively new, she considered that as an interesting alternative.
“I’d relatively be a giant fish in somewhat sea than somewhat fish in a giant sea,” Denno defined.
When requested what recommendation she would give to somebody shopping for an off-track Thoroughbred, Denno mentioned: “Don’t surrender on them, be prepared to work by any difficulties, they’re very good animals and prepared to please.”
After six years of proudly owning Titan, Denno has been in a position to flip him right into a improbable barrel racing horse. They’re on the College of Kentucky Rodeo Workforce’s journey workforce for barrel racing and can compete in Nationwide Intercollegiate Rodeo Affiliation faculty rodeos this fall.