On Saturday, February 28, the Penn-Ohio Futurity offered an opportunity to learn training tips from accomplished horseman Bret Day, of Grey Ridge Farm in Versailles, KY. The training clinic was held at Champions Center in Springfield, OH.

Day is well known in the Saddlebred community, partly for his involvement with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA). Notable horses trained by Bret Day include WC Bono, WC Mahvelous Guy, WC Hallelujah Chorus, WC Go Big Blue and many other reserve world champions and national champions.

Despite weather conditions deterring many who had intended to bring horses, alternate horses were provided by Mary Waickman Stables, Marcia Belcher at South Pointe Farm, and Wendy Lewis of Virtual Saddlebreds. The clinic included a demonstration by Wingate Farm, owned by Ray and Barbara Blanton of Delaware, OH, in which a horse was being tested for the academy program with one of the farm’s lesson riders.

Another highlight of the clinic was a discussion in which Day emphasized the value of horses being happy, noting the importance of focusing on their national talents, and allowing a horse to have fun.

The Penn-Ohio officers plan to continue their effort to promote the breeding, owning, training and showing of the American Saddlebred. “The American Saddlebred horse is the horse industry’s best kept secret. We need to work so that more people know what an exceptional breed this is,” said Day.

For more information about the Penn-Ohio Futurity, visit www.pennohiofuturity.com, or contact Marcia Belcher at (330) 421-4091.