LIGHT AND THUNDER | 5-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBRED | VERSAILLES, KY

Light and Thunder, Andy, is a 5-year-old Thoroughbred by Sky Mesa out of Thunder Gulch mare Medina Thunder. Andy lives at Liftoff Equestrian Farm in Versailles, Ky. and is loved by Kara and was bred for racing by International Equities Holding Inc.

Kara met Andy at the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center in Lexington, Ky., where she test rode a number of off-track Thoroughbreds. At the time, he had the look of a laidback Quarter Horse after just a few rides off the track, but Kara’s interested was piqued when he turned out to be a more animated horse under saddle. “Riding him was so much fun!” said Kara. “He had only been ridden a few times since he came off the track and a lot of stuff I did with him it was his first time doing. We did ground poles and cross rails and he was so eager to please. He love to play around after the jumps too which I loved.”

Kara ended up with two off-track Thoroughbreds from that visit. Andy is a big cuddle bug who loves to snuggle and give kisses to everyone.

Kara started riding at the age of six and leased her first pony, a Pony of Americas named Cricket, when she was eight. She has owned and leased various horses since then, many of them Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred crosses.

‘My favorite part about owning horses is taking care of them! I enjoy grooming them and taking care of any wounds or problems they may have,” Kara said. “Really just spending time with them in any manner. I think it is really important to bond and get to know your horses and spend time with them not riding.”

Kara hopes the jumpers are in the future for her and Andy, and also has plans to do some Western riding. Time will tell which direction they’ll go in, but in the meantime Andy “loves going fast and aims to please.”

Kara is a veterinary technician at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and in the course of her work has had the chance to meet Andy’s sire, Sky Mesa, which has made her bond with Andy that much more special.

When he’s not frolicking or snuggling, Andy loves Carrots and Crunchy horse treats especially from Snaks 5th Avenchew.

“When I first came to see Andy at his new barn, Liftoff, it was like we had never been a part for those few months (he stayed in Kentucky to be turned out while Speranza and I were in New York July-December),” said Kara. “He right away wanted to snuggle and was obsessed with smelling my face and giving kisses. That is a very happy memory.”