Flexible Consistency: Balancing OTTB Retraining with Real Life

Welcome back to the blog, listeners! In our latest episode, S2 E25: Stephanie Parkot on Balancing OTTB Dreams with Real Life — On the Road to the 2025 RRP Makeover, we spoke with Stephanie Parkot, an adult amateur, mom, and first-time Thoroughbred Makeover competitor. Stephanie's story is a testament to the idea that with the right mindset and a healthy dose of "flexible consistency," you can successfully retrain an off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) while navigating the demands of everyday life. This post will delve deeper into the concepts Stephanie shared, offering practical tips and insights for anyone embarking on a similar journey.

In this blog post, we'll unpack the concept of "flexible consistency" and explore how it can be a game-changer for adult amateurs retraining OTTBs. We'll discuss setting realistic goals, adjusting expectations, and embracing the journey without striving for perfection. Join us as we delve into the world of OTTB retraining with a focus on heart, resilience, and a horse-first approach.

Introduction: Balancing OTTB Dreams with Real Life

The allure of owning and retraining an OTTB is undeniable. These horses, often intelligent, athletic, and eager to please, offer a unique and rewarding partnership. However, the reality of retraining an OTTB, especially as an adult amateur with a busy life, can be challenging. Juggling work, family, and other commitments while dedicating the necessary time and energy to a young, green horse requires careful planning and a flexible approach.

Many adult amateurs dream of competing at events like the Retired Racehorse Project's (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover, a prestigious competition showcasing the versatility and trainability of OTTBs. But the road to the Makeover, or any equestrian goal, is rarely a straight line. It's filled with unexpected setbacks, demanding schedules, and the ever-present need to balance passion with practicality. This is where the concept of "flexible consistency" comes into play – a mindset that allows you to make progress without getting bogged down by perfectionism or unrealistic expectations.

Introducing Stephanie Parkot: Adult Amateur, Mom, and Makeover Debutant

Stephanie Parkot embodies the spirit of the adult amateur. As a mom of three from Corfu, New York, she balances the demands of family life with her passion for horses, particularly OTTBs. Her journey to the 2025 RRP Makeover is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and willingness to adapt. Stephanie's story is relatable to anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of horse ownership and retraining, especially while juggling other responsibilities.

What makes Stephanie's story particularly inspiring is her honesty about the realities of OTTB retraining. She doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties or pretend that progress is always linear. Instead, she embraces the ups and downs, learns from her mistakes, and remains focused on building a strong partnership with her horse. Her approach is grounded in practicality, understanding that consistent effort, even in small increments, can lead to significant results over time.

Sterling Honor: The Right Horse at the Right Time

Stephanie's Makeover partner is Sterling Honor, a striking son of Honor Code, adopted through New Vocations. Sterling represents the ideal of finding "the right horse at the right time." The connection between horse and rider is often as important as the horse's talent and training. For Stephanie, Sterling possesses the temperament and willingness that align with her goals and experience. He's a partner she can learn with, grow with, and enjoy the journey with.

The phrase "the right horse at the right time" emphasizes the importance of finding a horse that suits your current skill level, lifestyle, and goals. It's not always about finding the most talented horse, but rather the horse that you can best communicate with, understand, and develop a strong partnership with. Sterling's quiet nature and eagerness to please make him a great fit for Stephanie, allowing them to work together effectively and build a solid foundation for future success.

The Allure of OTTBs and Overcoming Emotional Challenges

OTTB's hold a special allure for many equestrians. Their athleticism, intelligence, and often sensitive natures can be incredibly rewarding to work with. However, the journey of retraining an OTTB can also be emotionally challenging. These horses have often experienced a demanding life on the racetrack, and they may come with baggage, both physical and emotional. Patience, understanding, and a willingness to address their individual needs are crucial for success.

Stephanie openly shared the emotional rollercoaster of returning a previous adoption and the challenges she faced in finding the confidence to try again. This honesty is important because it acknowledges the reality that not every OTTB adoption is a success story. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a horse may not be the right fit for our situation. Learning from those experiences and having the courage to try again is a testament to Stephanie's resilience and commitment to OTTBs.

Retraining Realities: New York Winters and Tailored Programs

Retraining an OTTB is rarely a straightforward process, and the challenges can be compounded by external factors like weather and location. Stephanie's experience retraining Sterling in the dead of a New York winter highlights the need to adapt your program to your environment. Short, focused training sessions, indoor activities, and creative approaches to maintaining fitness become essential during colder months.

Moreover, Stephanie emphasizes the importance of tailoring your program to your lifestyle. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to OTTB retraining. The key is to find a program that fits into your schedule, aligns with your goals, and takes into account your horse's individual needs and limitations. This might mean adjusting your expectations, prioritizing certain aspects of training, and seeking help from experienced professionals when needed.

Flexible Consistency: Adjusting Expectations for Progress

The concept of "flexible consistency" is central to Stephanie's approach. It means knowing when to adjust your expectations without losing sight of your overall goal. It's about recognizing that progress is not always linear and that setbacks are a normal part of the process. Instead of getting discouraged by challenges, you use them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and refine your approach.

For example, if your original plan was to ride five days a week but you find yourself consistently struggling to find the time, you might adjust your goal to three days a week. The key is to maintain consistency within that adjusted framework. It's better to consistently ride three days a week than to sporadically ride five days a week and then burn out. This flexible approach allows you to make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

Don't Wait for Perfect: Embracing the Journey

Another key element of Stephanie's philosophy is "not waiting for the perfect moment." Perfectionism can be a major obstacle to progress, especially in horse training. Waiting for the perfect weather, the perfect arena conditions, or the perfect feeling can lead to procrastination and missed opportunities. Instead, Stephanie advocates for embracing the journey, imperfections and all.

This means starting where you are, with what you have. It's about accepting that things won't always go according to plan and that mistakes are inevitable. The important thing is to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep moving forward. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, you'll be more likely to enjoy the journey and achieve your goals in the long run.

Partnership and Progress: The Mindset for the 2025 RRP Makeover

Stephanie is approaching the 2025 RRP Makeover with a mindset centered not on perfection, but on partnership and progress. Her primary goal is to build a strong, trusting relationship with Sterling and to showcase their progress together. She recognizes that winning isn't everything and that the most important thing is to have a positive experience and to demonstrate the versatility and trainability of OTTBs.

This mindset is crucial for success at the Makeover and in any equestrian endeavor. By prioritizing partnership and progress, you'll be more likely to enjoy the journey, learn from your experiences, and build a lasting bond with your horse. The focus shifts from external validation to internal satisfaction, creating a more fulfilling and rewarding experience for both horse and rider.

Practical Tips for Adult Amateurs Retraining OTTBs

Here are some practical tips based on Stephanie's experiences that can help adult amateurs successfully retrain OTTBs:

• Set Realistic Goals: Be honest about your time constraints, skill level, and resources. Set goals that are challenging but achievable.
• Break Down Tasks: Divide larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make the process feel less overwhelming and allow you to celebrate small victories along the way.
• Be Consistent: Even if you can only dedicate a small amount of time each day, consistent effort will lead to progress.
• Find a Support System: Connect with other OTTB owners and trainers. Share your experiences, ask for advice, and offer support to others.
• Seek Professional Help: Don't be afraid to seek guidance from experienced trainers, veterinarians, and farriers. Their expertise can be invaluable in overcoming challenges.
• Listen to Your Horse: Pay attention to your horse's body language and behavior. Adjust your training accordingly to ensure their comfort and well-being.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. This will help you stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude.
• Be Patient: Retraining an OTTB takes time and patience. Don't get discouraged by setbacks. Keep learning, keep adapting, and keep moving forward.

The Importance of Horse-First Horsemanship

At the heart of Stephanie's approach is a commitment to horse-first horsemanship. This means prioritizing the horse's well-being above all else. It's about understanding their needs, respecting their limitations, and creating a training environment that is safe, comfortable, and positive.

Horse-first horsemanship involves paying close attention to the horse's physical and emotional state. It means being willing to adjust your training methods if something isn't working and putting the horse's welfare ahead of your own ambitions. This approach not only leads to better training outcomes but also strengthens the bond between horse and rider, creating a more harmonious and fulfilling partnership.

Conclusion: Resilience, Heart, and the OTTB Journey

Stephanie Parkot's journey with Sterling Honor is a powerful reminder that with resilience, heart, and a dose of flexible consistency, adult amateurs can successfully retrain OTTBs and achieve their equestrian dreams. Her story is not about perfection, but about partnership, progress, and the unwavering commitment to horse-first horsemanship. To hear more about Stephanie's journey, be sure to listen to the full episode: S2 E25: Stephanie Parkot on Balancing OTTB Dreams with Real Life — On the Road to the 2025 RRP Makeover.

Whether you're an experienced equestrian or just starting your journey with OTTBs, Stephanie's insights can inspire you to embrace the challenges, celebrate the small victories, and create a lasting bond with these remarkable horses. The OTTB journey is a journey of learning, growth, and unwavering dedication. And with the right mindset, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience.