S3 E8: Manifesting the Kentucky 5*: Alex Conrad & Malibu Preacher

S3 E8: Manifesting the Kentucky 5*: Alex Conrad and Malibu Preacher [Transcript]

 [00:00:00] Hi, everyone, and welcome back to OTTB On Tap. I'm Nev. And I'm Emily. Hey, Nev, what's on tap today? Today we're chatting with Alex Conrad, who is a newly minted five-star rider on the heels of his incredible trip around Kentucky Horse Park.

We're gonna get to know Alex's origin story, how OTTB shaped his career, and go behind the stall door with his superstar, Malibu Preacher. Alex, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here. Yes. Awesome. So let's dive right in. You grew up in the Boston suburbs, so maybe not exactly the most horse-centric place.

Can you tell our listeners a little bit about your background and how you got into horses? Yeah, so I grew up in Peabody, Massachusetts, which is probably half an hour outside of Boston, and it's not a very horse-centric area. It's a real suburb no big open fields, nothing like that. But I was playing [00:01:00] soccer, and I went to a barbecue, and my friend's older sister had a horse in her backyard.

This was, like- ... a little bit further away from Boston. And she put me on the horse and walked me around in the field. And I just thought that was the coolest thing ever. And then I remember I had my dinner in the stall with the horse, and- And their- That's so cute. Yeah and then their their parents went to my mom and said, "You know what?

There's a horse camp that's happening, ... in Hamilton in a few weeks, and he seems to really love this. I bet you could get him into the horse camp if you wanna sign up." So I was playing hockey, soccer baseball every sport known to man, and my mom said, "Okay, you can go to this horse camp, but we're gonna have to slow down on some other camps this summer."

Sure. And I was like, "Okay I'll... Whatever camps I need to skip, I'll skip, [00:02:00] but I wanna go to this horse camp." And I went, and I fell in love with it. And I actually was... I think I quit hockey within a month of starting that. Wow. I didn't even know. I was learning to post, and I was, like- ... so new to it all, but there was something about it that I just loved.

And that grew, and I would work at the barn on the weekends for extra rides, and, Sounds very familiar. And then I think by age 12, I was, like, a full-blown barn rat.

There constantly, and every free minute I had I was at the barn. Oh, that's- That sounds very familiar. I think when I was around eight, I told my parents when we were driving in the car that I wasn't gonna look out the window at horses anymore if I couldn't have riding lessons, so And then very quickly ended up being a barn rat and working at the barn in exchange for rides.

And then you would get grounded, and you'd ride your bike [00:03:00] however many miles to the barn. Yeah. Steal my brother's bike and ride it to the barn. That's super- And I think Neve has some similar stories- Yeah ... so you're in good company. No, for sure. It is amazing, though, how when that bug bites you that everything else just fades away.

I was a gymnast for a long time when I was younger, and it was just choosing between these both really intensive things and being like I just wanna ride. That's all I wanna do." And my mom could literally use it to bribe me to do anything. It was like do you wanna go to the barn this weekend, or do you wanna clean your room?"

Or whatever the case might be, I know. And it was interesting for me coming from like my mom didn't ride, my dad didn't ride- Yeah, same ... my brother didn't. Nobody in my family- Yeah ... knew what I was doing, and it became this like crazy passion that I had just out of nowhere.

It- and then they all have to get on the learning curve with you. Exactly. Exactly. Or not, but just Emily went through this with her mom where it was like she's just I guess I'm along for the ride," yep. It's definitely a learning curve.

So [00:04:00] were OTTBs a part of these early years, or did that kind of come later on in your riding career? Yeah, a lot of the lesson horses were OTTBs, and I did some half leases and stuff like that, and a lot of those were off the track Thoroughbreds, kinda looking back on it.

But it definitely, they were a big part of my life from the beginning, I'd say. Just from a young age, that's what I had access to, and- ... and those were a lot of the horses that I rode. And I always kinda, I liked them right from the beginning. Oh, that's really sweet.

So you wrote all through high school, and then I know you were on a med school track. Is that correct? But you decided to take a gap year to go work for Wright & Wood. How did that kind of come to, come about and- So I it was really interesting. I went to college at Boston University, and it was really important to me...

It's funny, I was looking at [00:05:00] colleges, and I went all over the place looking, and I was like, "You know what? I wanna go to school in Boston because I wanna be close to the barn, and I wanna be close to my barn that I ride at." And it was Groton House Farm in Hamilton at that point. Oh, wow. Oh, yeah.

And- That's such an incredible place. Yeah. And so an- another kind of cool aspect of this story is that after I moved on and graduated, so to speak, from the lesson barn Anne Getchell at Groton House Farm she... I met Anne, and she introduced me to the sport of eventing. And I didn't have a horse, and she bred all these horses, and she had a couple horses that maybe had gone to a trainer and come home or maybe weren't sound enough for the upper levels or weren't really going to be competitive enough.

And so she was, she made a deal with me that she was like, "If you work in the barn for me on the weekends, you can ride some of these [00:06:00] horses." So I did that all through high school, and just did a ton of catch riding for different people and that kind of thing. So anyway, I wanted to be close to Groton House Farm but I wasn't ever sure that I was gonna be good enough to do this professionally.

I always loved it, but I was like, "I just don't know if I'm gonna be able to pull this off." So- ... I I was really good in school, and I was always really into science, and I loved anatomy and that kind of stuff. So I w- went into the pre-med program at BU, and my last year, I was working with a guidance counselor to start to apply to medical schools and stuff, and they were interviewing me about what kind of aspect of medicine I would wanna focus on.

And I said, "Radiology." And they said, "Why? Why radiology?" And I said, "Because I think it has really dependable hours, [00:07:00] and I can make good money- ... and I can go ride horses." And my advisor was like Sounds like you wanna ride horses. Yeah th- this is no way the medical school is grueling. This is no way to plan your- ... your career based around the best path so that you can have time to ride horses. Like- ... you should really be passionate about this. And so I- Yeah ... stopped and thought about it, and I was like, "You know what? I should go be a working student for a year and just try to figure this out."

So I went and I worked for Ryan, and I was going to kinda take the MCAT, ... while I was working for Ryan, and I even had a little study book for it, and I ended up not taking it, and I- ... absolutely loved it at Ryan's. And- Yeah ... I stayed for years, and then- ... started my own business. And Ryan is such a huge [00:08:00] supporter of Off The Track Thoroughbreds.

He's got a fantastic eye for horses. How did that kind of help shape, like, how you moved on with your career? It was a really cool opportunity because I showed up there as a working student, and his assistant rider ha- took another job just as I was starting.

Okay. And he had he had 30-plus horses in training. He had a huge operation, and he needed help with the riding, and I had only gone... I was eigh- I think I was no I was 21. 21, I think. And I had gone training level at the time, so on paper- ... I was relatively inexperienced in the sport, but I had ridden so many different horses just from catch riding for different- Yeah

people, and that I was really comfortable getting on different horses- ... [00:09:00] and showing different sale horses and stuff like that. So he gave me a lot of riding opportunities, and not only with thoroughbreds, but with different horses that would be imported from Ireland, and he showed me how to start babies, and he- Yeah

helped, I helped get the upper level horses fit, and I just really loved the business, and he showed me how to make this a career path. Career, yeah. And then- It's really interesting 'cause, that you say that, because I think that Ryan is one of, many local people that we have close to us in Southeastern PA that really does all of it, right?

They work with off-the-track thoroughbreds. They import horses from Europe. They breed and start their own youngsters, and they have horses going at the upper level. That's the, I think it's the secret combination to being successful as a professional, really to try to utilize all of those things so you always have a string of horses.

You've got sales horses. Yeah. You've, you gotta [00:10:00] be able to wear many hats, I think, to be successful- Yeah ... in the industry. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, for sure. And so you were going training level at this point, or had you were you eyeing the upper levels yet- Yeah ... or did that come later?

Yes, and I always a- actually, when I was, like... rewind to when I was a kid. My mom got me Chronicle of the Horse. And I saw the eventing issue, and I remember Phillip Dutton was on the cover, and it was Phillip Dutton at Kentucky dropping into the head of the lake. And I told my family, I was like, "I really wanna do that one day."

And, Oh, my gosh ... and it was funny just a month ago now- Yeah ... was I dropped into the Head of the Lake, and it's cool. It, there probably was 20 years from the time that I said that- ... to the time that I did it, and I'm really proud of that, that it, it wasn't easy, and it took me a [00:11:00] long time, and I just kept plugging away at it.

So that was pretty cool. Yeah. That's awesome. Yeah, for sure. That's such a... It's really cute, 'cause I think sometimes when you're watching the live stream, they will talk about these pony clubbers that are, , letting the riders into the dressage arena, and they'll revisit with them 20 years in the future, and some of them are riding around Kentucky.

Yeah. And it's just really cool to know that maybe they touched that one horse that was like, "That's, I, that's what I wanna do." And I think we as horse people, we love to hear those stories of you dream big, and it, you just chase that dream, let's pivot a little bit and let's get into the OTTB passion, 'cause that's obviously the whole theme of our podcast.

But at what point did you think that Thoroughbreds became a meaningful part of your program as a professional? It... So it was really interesting. While I was working for Ryan I found this Thoroughbred that was l- local and [00:12:00] his name was Don't Tell The Preacher. I was reading about this, and I was like, "Tell me those horses aren't related.

That's crazy." Yes. And they were completely unrelated. But that was the first horse that I ever owned myself. ... And I bought him and brought him along, and he ended up going intermediate, which was- Wow ... really cool. It, he gave me a taste of the upper levels, and- Yeah ... that was pretty awesome.

And then they were back-to-back, so I got Don't Tell The Preacher and then I saw Anne Hambledon found Malibu Preacher and told me about him, and and I was like, "Okay, another Preacher. This must be a sign. Maybe I should get this one, too." And- ... I loved him, and it just was chance that I had these two Preachers back-to-back, and they both did a lot for my career.

And they were both pretty high-strung horses. They're probably the two most challenging horses I've ever ridden. [00:13:00] But they're probably for the rest of my life, will be my two favorite. Sounds a little bit like Emily's old advanced horse. Yeah. My... his name was Alex, actually, and he was the hardest horse I've ever ridden, but he'd jump anything you put in front of him, and that's, that was what I wanted.

Cool. Just don't point him at something you didn't wanna jump, essentially. But you had to hang on. Yeah. I loved it. It's funny, I looked up Malibu, and I'm skipping ahead here, but I looked up Malibu Preacher before Kentucky. I was looking at all the different Thoroughbreds that were entered and trying to pick or just see what they would be like.

And with his pedigree, I was like, "Oof." He, Can certainly have a few opinions- He's got some spice in there ... I would think. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But the Halo line is not to be trifled with really. Yeah. For sure. I feel like coupled with Malibu Moon, like that's definitely one that- Yeah ... has the athleticism, but I imagine he has some quirks.

We're- Yes ... we'll get into that [00:14:00] later, but Yeah. Yeah. What do you think about producing off-the-track thoroughbreds has made you- In terms of being a more tactful rider if you wanna do a little comparing and contrasting of riding them versus warmbloods, et cetera.

I think the the interesting thing about the Thoroughbreds comparatively is I think that they're... I- I do think they have a, such an innate work ethic- Yeah ... that 99% of them are al- like, show up every day and are always trying to figure out what it is- ... that you're asking them. And- It's the best thing

and yes, they some may carry a little extra tension, and you're trying to work on getting them to relax or settle into a certain environment. But I've ridden a lot of warmblood youngsters- ... and sometimes you spend quite a bit of [00:15:00] time convincing them that they do wanna participate- ... in the, in working, and I- I just love that about the Thoroughbreds, how- Yeah

you never have to say, "Okay, it's- it's time to get to work here." You're just spending the time training them how to do their new job, and I just- Yes ... love that. That's such a great way to put it. I love that. Oh, I love that. Yeah, for sure. I, yeah, don't make me ride a horse I h- have to, feel like I have to get off and push.

Get and push. Or that you have to convince to want... there's nothing more exciting than an animal or a person really for that matter, that wants to learn. Like- Yeah. Yeah ... I feel like that's what I relate to them a lot with, 'cause I could learn in a dark closet, and I just love Thoroughbreds because they alwa- and then when you teach them something, the next time you ride them, they're like, "I really wanna show off that thing I learned last time- Yes

you rode them," yeah. No, they're awesome. Are there any particular pedigrees or bloodlines that you follow, or do you take [00:16:00] each horse as an individual? I take each horse as a individual. I have to say, I do love l- the Malibu Moon bloodline, but it's it does- It's picky

come with its quirks, but- ... i've had now... I- I look for it, and I think people I have a lot of people that will send me, ... Malibu Moon baby- Yeah ... babies, or if they see an ad they'll be like, "Alex, check this one out," or, but I always now have a special place for the Malibu Moon- Sure

bloodline. Yeah. For good reason. One of the things that we do on this podcast, we do it primarily on the Patreon, but we actually have people send us their h- they submit horses, and they'll send a confirmation photo and their pedigree, and Emily and I will- We're just pedigree nerds.

We've been sending each other horses for 15 years, right? Just listings of off-the-track thoroughbreds and whatever. And so we will look at the horse's pedigree and analyze what we [00:17:00] think it might be like, and then we'll look at the photo and go, "Okay." And we'll see if that's any kind of you know- Oh, cool

if that's correct. And then we will go in and we'll break down their conformation, and we'll talk about, with the pedigree and the conformation, what we think the horse will be most suited for, what their temperament might be like, what their gaits might be like, what job we think they'll be m- like, most well-suited for.

And it's really fun because we've just been doing it for such a long time that we're... We have a good accuracy rate. But it's always- Yeah ... fun to find out that the horse is we think it's gonna be an upper level eventer, and they're like he barrel races." Or it's- That's infrequent, but it's just really cool because we've just been studying pedigrees and conformation for such a long time that we just love that aspect of seeing how the bloodlines affect how the horses are built and what jobs they're suited for and things like that.

So it's pretty fun. That's cool. That's very cool. Yeah. Okay. So before tackling your first five-star, there are probably a ton of lessons [00:18:00] to learn along the way. What are some standout moments for you in your journey to the upper levels, both good and bad?

I think so when I have a bad one that turned out being a good one. Okay. Perfect ... when, so MP also ran over hurdles, and when I first was teaching him how to jump- ... he used to leave strides out. I would be so confident there was another stride there. I would just be riding up to it, and he could leave the ground so effortlessly one stride early.

Sure. And at novice training, it still felt nor- normal. He'd, he just would, but he would leave the ground c- long very early. And I was, this is when I was based in New York and I was at a competition called Town [00:19:00] Hill. And we had this it was like a roll top three strides drop into water.

And he jumped the roll top, took one stride, took another stride, and then just left the ground. Oh, boy. And ha- and in midair realized it was a drop into water, and he just crumbled on landing. Oh, no. And the two of us both fell in, in the water. And for the next Like four events he was so nervous jumping into water.

Like I f- I, it he was really backed off, and I had to really school it and break it back down, and... But it was interesting. From that day on, he did not leave long ... nearly as much, and we he learned a little lesson there, and it, it was a scary moment, [00:20:00] but it, a good learning moment.

And that- Yeah. It's good they learn from it. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. But that was, That's been something about him. He has such a big ego that- ... I swear he's considered himself a five-star horse since he was five years old. Like he just- Yeah ... always knew, like- ... just this whole experience with him has e- him been like-

"I know what I'm doing, Alex. This is not that hard." And you're like, "You have... This is a new level. You have no idea what you're doing." I've just had a lot of cool milestones with that horse. He was- ... my first FEI horse, and I- when I was working for Ryan like Ryan would go to all the big FEIs, and Ryan was based out of Phillips Barn.

So on the weekends of the big FEIs, the barn would be like a ghost town. Nobody would be there, and I'd be schooling the young horses, and even a lot of the w- young rider working students were at the FEIs. And I remember just [00:21:00] thinking "Okay, Alex, just keep chipping away. Your day will come.

It's... you'll be at these big events one day. Just keep your head down, keep going." And and I was 25, I think, when I did my first FEI. Yeah, with, May- maybe even older. I think I was older, yeah. I might have been 27, 28, actually, ... with that. And and it was special.

It was really special to, to be there and doing that with him and, Yeah ... and then I- 'cause you guys had earned your stripes at every level on the way up. Yeah. Yeah. And then the Maryland three-star was a turning point. I loved going to that. There's... I am so happy that they have that three-star- Yeah

at that event- ... because it just feels so special to be there. Yeah. And for- It's really proper, yeah. Yeah. And for an up-and-coming rider, that's, it's their f- that was my first three long, and I felt like I had really accomplished something and that just gave me... I was just so grateful to be [00:22:00] there, and I love that event, and I'm very thankful to that event because I- I think it, it allows people to step into that- level of atmosphere and- Yeah ... a big course and- Yeah ... all the crowds and- Yeah ... and you really say, "Gee this is pretty special. I I'm so thrilled to be here." And that whole weekend felt really surreal to me. And I'll, I don't think I'll ever forget that as being one of my favorite weekends with him of just feeling like we accomplished this- we're here

big goal. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's- That's incredible ... that's so cool. Yeah. And that is actually a really good lead-in to my next question, which is what makes the Kentucky debut feel even bigger? Because Malibu Preacher wasn't just your first five-star horse, he feels the culmination of the entire way you built your career.

So we would like to go back in the beginning with him, and how did he come into your life? In the very beginning of Malibu Preacher. Yeah, so it's a cool story. [00:23:00] When I was working for Ryan, we were allowed one horse as part of our compensation. We had one stall. And I was riding... I had one horse, and then I ended up riding a horse for a friend of mine.

And I kept that horse at another farm, and I would go after work- ... every day and ride that horse. But we had such long days that sometimes I would ride with a headlamp because it would be dark. Yeah. So I would pull my car up, turn the high beams on- ... to go, that would be my ring. And then to hack out, to cool out, I'd put a headlamp on, or if I wanted to do a trot set, I'd do a headlamp.

But I shared this barn with this really awesome lady named Anne Hambleton, who we became close friends, and and I, we would always joke about the headlamp and my [00:24:00] crazy schedule. And so we, I would see ev- I would see Anne every evening when I would be done at work and go ride this other horse.

And she r- helped gallop horses with Kathy Nielsen, who's a local- ... trainer, and she f- had galloped Malibu Preacher, and she said, "I galloped this really cool horse. If he ever doesn't work out, I told Kathy to call me, and I think you would really like him, and I think you could use a cool, a great horse in your life."

And so I was like, "Okay. Yeah, that sounds great." And fast-forward a year, and or however long it was and Anne said they're gonna stop running Malibu Preacher. I'll bring him over if you wanna try him. I think you're really gonna like him." And I we went to Vince Dugan's indoor- and I [00:25:00] trotted him over a cross-rail, and I just loved the way he jumped, and then I did- ... a little vertical, and I loved him right away. And then the fact that he had the word Preacher in his name, it just- Yeah ... it, it- Sure. It all feels very kismet, right? Yeah. And the, another cool part of the story is that Ashley Taylor, who is my vet- Yeah

still vetted- We've had her on the podcast. Yeah, she's amazing ... yeah, she vetted him for me, and she said, "Alex, if you don't buy this horse- ... I'm going to." And, and- That's always a good endorsement, right? Yeah. And then, so Ashley was his vet at Kentucky. She helped me- Yeah ... all the way back at Kentucky, so- She was there with a bunch of different horses. Yeah, that's so cool ... yeah. So it kinda came- Oh, I love that ... full circle. Yeah. So yeah, that was the origin story.

And I have to hand it to Anne Hambledon. She- W- was sure that he was gonna be- Wow ... she said, "This horse is gonna change your career." And she said- Oh ... that [00:26:00] from day one, which is pretty cool. I don't think many people can can notice that, and say, th- say things like that actually come true.

It was pretty cool. Yeah. Oh, that's incredible. And that was from... She... So she actually galloped him you said? Yeah. Yeah. Okay She would come on and just help Kathy do some of the gallops, just kind of- ... she enjoyed doing it, and she had raced, m- before previously, and she actually rode in the Maryland Hunt Cup and she w- just- Wow

Always knew Thoroughbreds, and she really liked- Yeah ... this one, and she knew that I needed a good horse, and- Gotta be pretty badass to ride in the- I know ... extremely badass- Yes ... to ride in the Maryland- And also you're surrounded by all these incredible women. You've got her, you've got Joyce Slater.

It's oh my God, it just, it's mind-blowing- Yeah ... to be in this area sometimes, because we're just surrounded by such greatness at all times, it's very cool. Yeah. I know. So [00:27:00] I was looking/stalking your USEA record, and you guys have done every level together. Yeah. Does that change the feeling of stepping into a five-star versus riding a horse that's been produced by somebody else?

Absolutely. Yeah, and I I know him so well that I can walk the lines, and for the most part say, "I know exactly how he's gonna read this. I know he's, how he's gonna feel at minute seven. I know how he's gonna feel- ... at minute nine. I know he's gonna be really strong at the beginning, and I just need to stay calm-

even though I feel like I'm getting my arms ripped out." And, like- And it's just, I just feel so comfortable with him. Yeah ... and I think the other cool thing is I think the sheer willpower and belief gets you far. I think Anne always believed in this horse, and I think I always had [00:28:00] this- maybe semi-delusional also belief in this horse, and we, the two of us were always just, like- Just manifested it?

Yeah he was going novice, and we were like, "Let- It would be so cool if he did a five-star. Let's get him to a five-star." From the time he was going novice, and we just believed in it, and I think we... I don't... I think there's power in that, yeah, there i- there really is, I think. I really do.

Yeah. How has your life changed since completing Kentucky? Or hasn't it? I think that- Do you feel different now? It doesn't feel that that different. I like I, I got back to the barn on Tuesday, and I was back to my normal schooling all the horses, teaching the lessons.

I think the clinics are definitely filling up a lot faster. Picking up, yeah. I- That's great ... it's funny, like I, I just was making a clinic plan, and it said [00:29:00] like there's a farm in Hamilton near where I grew up, and it said "We're hosting five-star rider Alex Conrad," and it's still funny to see on paper- you're like, "That's me."

Yeah. It takes me a second, and I'm like, "Oh yeah, no, that's accurate. That's accurate. I was... That's not a typo." So- That's so cool ... that's pretty cool. We're gonna downshift a little bit, and we're gonna get to know MP- Sure ... a little bit better. Is... Do you call him MP in the barn? Yeah, I call him MP.

Okay, that's what I thought. What parts of him still remind you that he was a former steeplechaser, besides the fact that he likes to leave long? He, at the jogs, at the events he gets very excited- ... specifically at the first jog. I think- I love the pictures, by the way. And- I also love that you're like, "We have two people bringing him to the jog."

I know. I know. And I've thought a lot about it, because he rarely gets that amped up about [00:30:00] too many... it's next level excitement. Sure. And, And I've been to like some races, and they walk the horses around in a circle, and then they line them up- Yeah, they do the post parade, yeah

And then they go. And I think w- seeing all the horses walk in a circle before- ... the jog I, h- he has some funny flat... And all the people, and- Sure ... and- And they're all talking over the loudspeaker. Yeah. Yeah. So what we try to do is- ... try to minimize the amount of time that he's kind of- Sure

walking around waiting. Because it just builds, and builds. Yeah. So I try to go from the barn and- Straight to the jog. Straight to the jog, as well as I can time it- and sometimes we can do it depending on the venue, sometimes we can't, but- Yeah, that's so funny ... it's always exciting. It's actually hard.

I, we don't get that many trot steps in, and I'm always like trying- it's a lot of just how can they even tell? [00:31:00] Yeah, I'm always trying to present him, and I'm like, "Okay, we took five trot steps. Surely they can assess his soundness off that," like... how big of a horse is he? 'Cause I think you're quite tall, right?

He doesn't look overly big, but I can't... I'm not sure. Yeah, he's about 16.2, so- Okay ... he's not that big and and yeah, I'm about 6'2", so we're- Okay ... i'm pretty big on him. Listen the right horse is never the wrong size or the wrong color. That's what I like to say. Yep, absolutely. True.

Absolutely. Did... Or you wanna skip? Okay, yeah. Yeah, go to that one ... okay. So we both watched you ride around Kentucky and, first of all, watching you guys ride around, I was like, "Somebody is just giving a masterclass on how to ride a five-star." Truly, and I don't mean this to inflate your ego or anything, but like you the level of composure and the way that you made sure to make the right decisions for [00:32:00] your horse just speaks volumes about what you've learned along the way.

So I guess on the heels of that compliment, what does he feel like at the beginning of a big track, and then conversely coming through the fin- finish flags? He's always very strong and keen at the beginning. And I actually, it's funny I've now learned to stay calm because there have been times where-

fence one through five I feel in control, but I keep thinking, "Oh no, if we have to do a sharp turn to something, I'm gonna go right by it." And I've- ... learned, I've learned that feeling goes away after- Sure, once he gets going. Once he gets going. But it used to, like the, it used to really worry me.

I was like, "Oh no, I'm, this is- ... it's a long way around this course." So he feels, he's strong at the beginning, settles in and then is wonderful to ride [00:33:00] minutes like eight, nine, 10. That's, he's just- He needs a six star is what you're saying. Yeah. And he actually tr- really doesn't get tired.

Yeah. I've never had him get tired, and I actually have to when I'm following galloping advice like Boyd works with me a lot on my fitness schedule. And Boyd is always helping me come up with a plan for him, and it's u- it's usually a good bit less than what he's doing with some of his other horses.

The warm bloods. Yeah. But we've learned not to have him too fit or it, because it can be- Sure ... actually easy for me to go up Nelson's Hill too many times. Yeah. Yeah. And have him- And all of a sudden you're on a rocket. Yeah, exactly. Well- So- Wait, was it, Emily, was it Kentucky where you said when Alex left the Starbucks that you were like, "I thought I was gonna fall off backwards"?

That was tr- s- so I used to ride in the- way back in the long format days, and yeah, so for steeplechase basically. Just take out, [00:34:00] off, out of the start box. And you just I- it was like a rocket. I can say- Yeah, the horse that sounded a lot like Malibu Preacher. Yeah. Yeah. You just held on and were like, "Okay."

And at least the steeplechase jumps were very friendly, that you could get to them as you got to them. And- ... after the first few he would settle in, but oh my gosh. Yeah. It was it was a little exciting. Yeah. And you're just like, "I just gotta stay calm and ride this out." It'll be over soon."

That's- Eventually he'll get into some kind of gallop. So how did you know that he was fit enough for the five star long? Were you, Did you have any concerns about that over or under-conditioning him for it since it's your first one? I didn't really know, but he had felt so fit at the four longs- that I was like, "I think we got another minute in there. I think we can, I think we can do this." You know- That's a good place to be. Yeah. And I just never, that never concerned me that much, [00:35:00] but it definitely... it's funny, I was pretty worried about the dressage test. Yeah. But I, but the fitness part I felt pretty good about.

Yeah. Good. We're al- we're also so lucky because I feel like it's interesting when you see the West Coast riders come over and the East Coast riders we're very lucky in Chester County because we can almost duplicate Kentucky in some ways. Yeah, true. When you think about Fair Hill and things like that, that undulating turf, the hills, we can really get the horses fit enough for, hopefully fit enough to, be able to tolerate Kentucky.

And whereas I think people coming from other parts of the country are at a bit of a loss for that kind of terrain change. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. You also mentioned, I think you're based at Boyd's now, right? Yes. Or the schoolhouse next to his farm. Has he mentored you along the way or helped you out as you got ready for Kentucky?

Yes he was a big part of it. And actually when I was in Aiken I would go to the gym with him at, [00:36:00] we had, we went to a 6:00 AM fitness class, and- ... I would go a couple days a week with him and work out and and get myself ready in addition to the horse, and- ... he talked to me a lot about my, what events I was planning on doing leading up to it, all the fitness work.

I worked with Silva on the flat, and- Oh, nice ... just he really looked out for me, and before I went, we sat together and watched the iPad and watched the riders early in the division- ... go, and helped devise a plan after walking the course, and- yeah ... so he really helped me from in, in truly in the past probably two, almost three years that I've been there, has been there for me qualifying for the five-star.

He's been involved in every part of it. That's so cool. Yeah. Oh, wait. Have you been- Have you been to one before? Have you been doing ice [00:37:00] plunges with him? I- I did one. You did. I did one. I did one. That was it. One was enough. It was I think I could do them in the summer. I don't know how he does that in the winter.

Like- I know. He's crazy ... especially fir- like first thing in the morning, like waking up and doing that on a December day. No. No, thank you. No, thank you. No way. No way. But yeah, middle of July, that sounds pretty good. Yeah. That's more the end. If we do it end of the day, middle of July, that, no problem.

That's so funny. Moving on to the big week of Kentucky. How were you and MP feeling arriving at the horse park, and how did he take in the atmosphere? He we had been there the year before for the four short. Okay. And that was really helpful for me mentally because, Just to be there ... just to be there and know that he can go into that big stadium, and he can put in a presentable test.

And it was, [00:38:00] that gave me a lot of reassurance. And it's funny I actually, o- I've been, I was talking with some close friends about this. I was very calm the week of Kentucky because I think I was just I'd worked so hard to get there that I was determined to enjoy it. And- Yeah ... I was like, "You know what?"

I was so thankful to be there and just I just had so much gratitude to be on that entry list and to be at that event that I was like, "You know what? I'm gonna enjoy every minute." And I didn't even feel like there was a lot of pressure on me to put in a big performance. I was just like, "You know what?

This is about me and MP, and- ... our partnership, and just all the work and all the things that had to go right for us to get there that week, and just kind of- Sure ... our gratitude for that." Oh, that's awesome. I think that sentiment is what I wish- sort of [00:39:00] m- more competitive riders really leaned into. And obviously, I understand you've got owners, you've got, there's a lot of pressure on upper level riders and things like that, but it's so beautiful to hear you talk about that experience and know that you got to actually enjoy it in the moment and take some emotional inventory of what was around you and what you were experiencing, knowing how hard you worked to get there.

That's a next level kind of experience, right? 'Cause I feel like a lot of times we get caught up in the moment, and we don't get to just take stock of looking around and being like, "Oh my God, we're here," yeah. Yeah. It's very cool. This is actually a funny side note.

I forgot the stretchy circle in my dressage test- ... even though I had gone over that test- ... for probably three months. I knew that test better than I've known- Gosh ... any test in my entire life. Yeah. And I got caught up in the moment. Yeah. I just- 'Cause you're just having a good time ... I- I rem- I forget who it was.

It was a couple years ago. They were [00:40:00] having the test of their life. It might not have been Kentucky. It might have been Burley or something else. And I remember being like, "They're riding the test of their life. This is going so good." Yeah. And they literally got caught up in, like, how good it was going, and they forgot a complete movement.

Thank God it's only, it's one movement, right? But, like- Yeah, exactly ... that, that happens, exactly. But I heard the little bell ring, and I was like- Oh, no. ... "Oh, no. I'm a little too caught up." I was like, it was very emotional for me to be in that ring, and I was- I'm sure. I was just about to ask you about dressage, but what was your feeling trotting down center line, or cantering down center line rather?

Yeah, it was pretty, pretty surreal. Just, And having all the people I had a lot of people on that little kiss and cry booth. Yeah. And it's funny that's what did it for me. I- seeing all your supporters being like, "Yeah." Yeah. I cantered by and I looked up and saw the people in the stands, and then I looked at, like- like all the people that had helped me get there- and my family, [00:41:00] and it was just like a really special moment. And then I went through the test, and I was just, the whole time I just kept thinking of like I probably shouldn't have been, but I was like, "Wow, this is really cool, Alex. This is, th- this took a lot to get to this moment right here."

And- I'm sure you like probably had flashbacks of when you were taking him around novice, and you were like- Yeah ... "Oh, I just blew that 20 meter." Or you didn't pick up the lead because he's just this rank thoroughbred. Yeah. Whatever. Totally. And you're just like, "We're in, we're at Kentucky.

This is crazy." Yeah. Did he walk in like he owned the place? Yeah and he does... he doesn't always walk in the free walk or the- Yeah ... extended walk, I should say. That's we jig quite a bit. Sure. Yeah. And he walked the whole extended walk.

Yeah, and I was like ecstatic. Yeah. That was the biggest moment. You're like, "Don't get too excited 'cause now we have a medium walk, and we're gonna mess up." Yeah, exactly. But I was like, "Oh my God, we're walking." That's amazing. Aw. Yeah. And I'm sure [00:42:00] like, I don't know, Emily has done it, you've done it, I'm like I can't imagine that feeling of like you've brought this horse from the ground up, and you're on the biggest stage in the world, and the...

Yeah, I'd be totally overwhelmed. Like- Yeah ... that's so cool. You- you wrapped up dressage, and then on to cross country day. What was happening in your head as you head to that start box? Y- it was interesting. I actually, again, I was pretty calm, which I expected to be ner- Like, I was so ready to be, like, v- very nervous, and I was nervous watching...

When I was sitting there watching the iPad with Boyd, I was so nervous, and I l- was like, "Oh my God, this is brutal." I just, I hope this this will be over soon. Please be over soon. And and then once I got on, I was like, "Okay, this is really awesome." I can't wait to go out [00:43:00] there, and then leaving the start box, it, again, it was, I was just like- Yeah

so happy to be out there again, that it calmed me right down. Yeah. And did he, how did he feel once you got out there? He felt great ... he was incredible. He was really ridable and really focused, and- Yeah ... just he, that was probably one of the best rides I've had on him. He w- I felt really good, and I had planned to take some options on him.

... And it's funny watching back the video I watch myself land in some of the combinations and I'm like, "We totally coulda gone the direct route." But that's always really easy to say- Sure. Sure ... after- Hindsight's always 20/20, right? Yeah, exactly. But but yeah I wanted to... It was just really important for me to cross the finish flag, 'cause that's what I really wanted to do, and I was like, "You know what?

If I take a few alternate routes to- ... get him home feeling good, feeling confident, then [00:44:00] that's what I'll do." But but I just, I really wanted to cross that finish line on him and, Yeah ... have that kind of happy ending. Absolutely. Was there anything that didn't go to plan or that rode differently than you expected?

No I have to say it all really went to plan. I'd say the only thing that I had never gone off so many drops into water that were quite that big- Yeah ... and I I kept getting tossed forward with my upper body and I was like, "Whoa. All right, Alex, you gotta sit up. You gotta sit up a little bit more."

That's the only thing- you gotta pull an Andrew Nicholson and just, casually have your- yeah, exactly. Exactly. I should've thrown one arm up in the air. I can't imagine that feeling of when you came over the finish flag, talk about that feeling for us I think yeah, it was that, that was pretty cool. And again, it was... I think my favorite thing about it was just the people that showed up to [00:45:00] be part of this with me, and- they were all at the finish line, and- ... I think that's what made it special, was like- Yeah, everybody just- ... people- ... being there. Yeah. And that had all, Like my friend Bree had groomed for him when he was going training level, and- ... my first working student was there, and my brother was there, who went...

knew that I wanted to do this since I was a little kid, and- ... it was just that, that was what made it so special, was just, it was like a party of all the people that had cheered MP on- Yeah ... since the beginning. Yeah, just feeling that, it was really- enveloping of love and support, and we talk about this a lot on the podcast, but that it just takes a village to get these horses to the top levels.

Yeah. And we just love that celebration of, , all of the pe- like you said, with Ashley Taylor, and just n- and Anne Hamilton, just knowing that you have this just network of support that just wants to see you succeed, like that's what- Yeah ... it takes to really be at that top level. It's really [00:46:00] s- sweet.

Yeah. And so how did he cool out, and how was your kind of overnight prep and morning of the- ... of the jog and show jumping? How did that go? He cooled out well. He can get a little bit foot sore sometimes, and- ... he was a little bit foot sore that evening, but luckily he always, he usually looks better in the morning.

So he just needed a good night rest and some hoof pack, and then- Sure ... he trots up looking a lot better in the morning. So- Yeah ... he looked good in the morning, and and then yeah, and I was really happy with his show jumping too. We had two rails down, but it was a big, that was a big course and I thought he was trying his heart out, and I was thrilled.

Yeah. I feel every year they make that course a little bit mean. 'Cause there's always some combination that's just a little bit [00:47:00] cruel. Yeah. And it just catches people off guard, and it's just they're already tired knock it off. But I think it's, I think it's great.

Two rails is honestly that's so forgivable and not... that's wonderful for his first five-star, right? Yeah. We've talked about this emotional rollercoaster that you've been on for this entire weekend, and we- I've heard you speak a lot about your grandfather's dog tags that you wear and his role in helping bring MP into your life.

Yeah. What does that symbolism mean to you, and what did it mean to you during Kentucky? Yeah, that, that was pretty special of... I actually wore, I wore the dog tags for, I typically only wear them for cross country. That's my typical superstitious- Yeah ... thing. Love it. All eventers are superstitious, by the way.

They're all, they all are. But I wore it, I wore them in dressage. I wore them in show jumping. Oh. I wore them in the jogs. I, [00:48:00] it, I just was like, it- He's gotta be with me the whole time ... yeah, I was like, okay, he needs to be with me the whole time. So- I love that ... so I wore them the whole time and and it's cool.

It's funny 'cause I don't know that he would... I think he'd be very proud that I did this, but I think he would be terrified watching me do this. 'Cause he used to, he watched me do it at a lower level, and he would always be like he called me Al, and he'd always be like, "Al, this is crazy."

"Al, this is crazy." And so I kept actually hearing that in my head of him being like, "Al, this is nuts." And I'm sorry if you've mentioned this before in other interviews, but what service was he in, and like what, w- what are his dog tags from? He was... So he went to Germany, and w- it's, he got a Purple Heart.

He actually was in a foxhole, and a bomb went off, and the rubble from a building covered the [00:49:00] foxhole. Oh my gosh. And they pulled him out. They don't know how long he was in there, but they think it was, like a day or two. Wow ... and they pulled him out, and he tells the story of only being able to see a little bit of light through a hole, and just- Gosh

praying that somebody was gonna- Find him ... come- Yeah ... get him. Oh, man. And I just prayed and prayed. Yeah. And it's inc- I think he had those dog tags on while all that was happening, and I- Wow ... I always think of okay, if he can go through that- ... I think I can make it around this course.

Yeah. Yeah. My my dad was a bomb diffuser in the Irish Army, and sometimes- Wow ... I think about some of the experiences that he's had, and I'm just like, I don't get to complain about anything in my life because my goodness, my father, at that young age, when he was first in the Army, was, like, defusing bombs all around S- southern Ireland, [00:50:00] and I'm just like, you don't get to- He's-

complain about stuff. You gotta use that and g- let it motivate you. Yeah. Yeah. Totally. Totally. Oh it's really sweet, and I think that- That message really resonates with so many people because I... People have talked about you bringing this up or people have a- obviously you've been asked about it in interviews and everything like that.

But I think that a lot of people don't realize again, going back to the village that having that kind of support just can really like just send you on your way, yeah. Totally. Totally. And I think that's if I can look back Like on my career with MP, like the thing that I would be most grateful for is the people that I've met, through producing him- because it's created some very, real friendships and- ... relationships and [00:51:00] these bonds of like just I feel very close with probably 20 people who- ... have that are true friends and that I'll have forever and like we're all brought together by this horse that- Yeah ... I think that's the coolest part and I'm most thankful for that of anything.

Yeah. Yeah. And I think it's funny, we think about this a lot, we talk about this a lot with, at the end of the day, like the people that we like to have on the podcast, the thing that we all have in common is that we all love horses, right? Yeah. We're all here because we have this thing that we just can't give up and, and it's a beautiful thing to be able to have that one thing that just connects all of these people.

Yeah

So you've just talked so much about your village and these people that make all of this possible for you. Would you like to speak about any of those people in particular, and just shout them out right [00:52:00] now on the podcast?

Or- Yeah ... don't feel bad about le- leaving anybody out or anything like that. But if there's just some people that you're like, "I just really wanna thank these people out loud right now." Yeah, I think I think my good friend Bree Gunter she managed my barn for years, and w- was we traveled all over the place together from the time that MP was going training level to the, yeah, to...

She was at the five-star, and we we are so close, and she knows that horse so well and loves that horse like it's her own. And she's become one of my best friends, and- I love that ... and she'll be part of my life forever, for sure. And and Antonio Rodriguez, who, Yes, your right-hand guy. My right-hand guy, who helped me through Kentucky, and he was just instrumental getting ready for this, and just was 100% behind me, [00:53:00] and it was just wonderful having somebody that was so on top of every detail, and he really wanted this for me, and and that was really special too having him- I bet you're probably a big inspiration for him.

Hopefully. I feel like he's probably got that going in his own mind, of "I'd like to follow in those footsteps." And then obviously Anne Hamilton, who I've mentioned, has found him and cheered me on with him, and she- That's so cool ... she knew that I needed this horse in my career, and I- ... she put it all together, and I'm- Yeah

I'm so thankful f- to her for that Okay huge shout out to all of those guys. Obviously, I know there's a ton of people that you haven't mentioned but you have mentioned them in so much that you've talked about the huge support in your life. But you left Kentucky with [00:54:00] major recognition, including the Richard Pickens Sportsmanship Award and the James C.

Wofford On the Rise trophy, and were the highest placed sole owner/rider among the standout awards. How do you think the accreditation will help you moving forward in your business? I'm, I think what I'm most proud of and whatever I do next in my career, I think I will always be most proud of this is that I funded a lot of this through clinics.

I l- f- I teach so many clinics. I'm on a plane almost- ... every weekend that I'm not competing and- Yeah ... like I I think I've done this in a way that's been just really hard work and pushing for it, [00:55:00] and I think I'd love to in the future maybe attract more syndicate owners and have...

I think that's the way forward in the sport now- ... because it's really hard to compete at this level financially. It's, it's- Sure ... and it's evolving in a way that i- it's almost impossible if you're- ... of the m- the main person funding it at that level. And I'm really proud that of all the work to pay for it.

I think that that meant a lot to me that I was... it wasn't just the performance itself, but the probably 25 clinics- Yeah ... all winter last summer. I'm- Yeah ... I'm still, I'm doing, I just went to New Mexico. I was in Phoenix. I saw that photo of you on that gorgeous gray horse. I was like- yeah

"What's he doing right now?" Yeah, so I'm all back on my clinic tour now that [00:56:00] Kentucky's over, but, You know what? I think that grassroots aspect though is it just really stems back to, like, how most people made it, 20 years ago, right? Which is- ... just figuring out how to piece the money together and get this going.

And like you say, I do think the future is in more bigger ownership and things like that, but there's still so much value in the grassroots aspect of it. Totally. Absolutely. Yeah. And I think, It's empowering. It's empowering when you're like I w- you know, I worked for this. I, th- this was- Sure, yeah

this was blood, sweat, and tears. Like- Yeah ... I think there's, th- that's a powerful feeling that I think you don't realize how empowering it is until you're feeling it, and then you're like, "Oh no, this is pretty cool." Do you know what? I actually I'm just thinking about how I felt watching you ride around Kentucky, and I think that you saying it's all this blood, sweat, and, sweat, and tears, and things like that, but you would think that in some ways you'd be riding around in this sense of [00:57:00] desperation of trying to get it done.

That was the opposite. It was like you were, like you said, enjoying every moment of it. Just being like, "I'm gonna give this horse the best ride I can. I'm gonna make sure we get around, it's fun, and we have a good time. He's prepped. We're ready." That's the thing is there was no sense of we're here.

We gotta get it done." Exactly. It was like, "We're here, and we deserve to be here, and we're gonna just have a good time." Yeah. Yeah. That's cool. Thank you. So what is next for Malibu Preacher then? So it's a little bit up in the air, because they're not having the Maryland Five Star this fall, so- I am thinking of having a quiet fall and really working on the flat work, and maybe going to some jumper shows, and just try to get some clean changes, and- ... and then I'd like to really [00:58:00] come out swinging next year and, Yeah ... go back to Kentucky, and then do some more Five Stars and next fall, and but I think we're gonna have a pretty quiet- See you early.

Yeah. Yeah, something like that would be nice. But I'm gonna try to buckle down, do as many clinics as I can, polish him up a little bit, and come out swinging next year. I love that. And you know what? Like- That's the plan ... what a nice break for him to have and for you to just work on the little bits that you're like, "Eh, we can shave off a little bit here.

We can shave off a little bit there." Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Okay. All right, rapid fire segment for you, Alex. Are you ready? I'm ready. Okay. MP's biggest diva habit

Eating. He's very picky about his treats and his food, and he- he'll only have certain apples, [00:59:00] and- ... he's very picky in that department. I see. Like certain types of apples? Like- Yeah, certain types of apples. He's a, he's suspicious about the he likes those stud muffins- Oh, yeah ... but some of them- you can't be a mama and try other things.

Yeah, no. Yeah. All right. What's the best thing about Thoroughbreds? Their grit. I like that. Okay. Fence on the Kentucky cross country you'd happily never jump again.

The open corners. Don't blame you. D- do you have a hype song for cross country when you're getting ready? If you want us to bleep it out, we can bleep it out. You can just tell us. I'm ki- I'm kinda thinking- She's lying.

Or does MP have a hype song that he would like? We, [01:00:00] I was, I think I was listening to country music. I was trying to chill out and I had some very quiet country music- Okay. I like that ... going. Okay. Okay, one word to describe MP

Tough Oh, ooh But in a good way. In in the way of he can... He's a fighter. He's a fighter Yeah. Oh, I love that. He's a fighter. All right. What's one word to describe Kentucky? Iconic. That's great. Okay, your favorite nickname for MP mP. MP. That's it? Come on. It's Madonna. It's Madonna. I feel like it's so funny have you ever asked anybody I don't know if you have any dogs, but if you have a dog, the dog's name is Harry, right? And then- ... [01:01:00] you, the, its name is not Harry. It's, like, all of the other things you call it.

That's how my dogs are, I have a dog named Cooper- yeah ... and we call him Flaps. But there's an evolution of, like, how you get to that name, right? Yeah. Okay, so MP. We got MP. You don't ever call him anything else in secret? No. It's always just been MP. Okay. All right. Do you have any funny superstitions, besides the dog tags?

Yes, this is a really funny one. So I have my my number tags, and I save certain numbers have to stay in there. If- Oh, in your pitty? ... if there were particular... In my pitty, yeah. Yeah. So I, and I have had incidents where it's gotten so full that they've come flying out halfway on course.

And I went out in a golf cart and- To pick 'em up ... found all the [01:02:00] numbers again. Because you're like, "I gotta stuff 'em back in there." Exactly. And stuff them back in there. That's a good one. I like that. And sometimes- I like that one ... it gets so full it will hit me in the face, if I don't have it strapped down tight enough.

It's pretty heavy, so it'll hit me in the face if I'm doing something. That's turned into a weighted vest. That is so funny. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Oh my God. That is r- That's a really unusual one. Yeah. I know. I know. Okay. MP's favorite snack.

Stud muffins. He likes those stud muffins. Okay. All right. This is a hard one. If MP were an actor, who would he be?

He would be

Arnold Schwarzenegger Nice. Squee. I love it. Why? That's crazy. That's random but- That is random. [01:03:00] You said it with conviction. I like it. I know. You were like, "Nope, Arnold Schwarzenegger." All right, and finally, for riders who are out there plugging away on their own off-track Thoroughbred, maybe they're going training or modified or prelim, what would Alex Conrad from the Kentucky 5 Star Start Box tell them?

That I think the belief is the most important thing, that you have to at a core level believe that it's gonna happen, and there are a lot of days where it seems like it isn't gonna happen- Yeah ... probably more than there are days that it seems like it will, and that belief is what's gonna keep you going.

Love it. That is such a good answer. Alex, thank you so much for joining us today. We'd love to have you on another time just to talk about OTTBs and training and things like that, pick your brain about pedigrees and training philosophies and things like that, And one final question. We [01:04:00] actually ask everybody this, so- Yeah

it's another one-word question. What's one word you'd use to describe an OTTB?

Generous. Ooh. Generous. I love it. That's such a good answer. I don't think anyone's ever said that. I don't think so. Love it. Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you Alex for joining us today, and thanks to all our listeners. If you like what you heard today, please leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can find us at OTTP On Tap at all the things. And cheers. Yeah. Cheers.