2023 Ambassador, Lauryn Haynie and Unn. Gemswick Park '18

Meet New Vocations' 2023 Ambassadors, Lauryn Haynie and Unnamed Gemswick Park '18

Sometimes the search for a horse seems endless. I started my search after taking two years off from horses, several life changes, and moving back to Richmond, VA. After leasing out my big show horse and selling my young prospect, I really didn’t know where to start.

I drove up and down the East Coast from track to track to visit Thoroughbreds, talk with trainers, and meet wide-eyed horses that never felt like mine. I wanted sound, a good brain, and something that had been handled with kindness. I found New Vocations after a friend recommended them and I felt so safe during that process.

Unnamed Gemswick Park '18, aka "Biscuit" came home in March 2021. He was weeks away from his 3rd birthday, wasn't the "prettiest" horse, and was not exactly what I was expecting. He was chestnut (I know, a good horse never comes in a bad color) with no chrome. But his personality has always been his most amazing gift. Within three weeks, we tossed him on a trailer for our first hunter pace. It was on that trip that I knew I loved him.

Since adopting him, Biscuit has never taken a wrong step. He has grown up so much since we first brought him home and have just started with regular dressage lessons. In our time together, we’ve crossed miles of trails through the mountains and hills of Virginia hunt country. We’ve shown locally and places against large-made Hunters. As we continue to work in regular lessons, he’s really started to blossom under saddle.

Brave, keen, and full of character he is the epitome of a Thoroughbred. Whether on a trail, training, or just hacking out he is a total class act and a class clown. I have been so fortunate to have loved so many great horses in my life but I can’t think of a single one like Biscuit. As we start up our first year of dressage training, I’m continuously impressed by his solid brain and work ethic. I’ll never not have a Thoroughbred (or a Curlin baby - there are several at our barn now because of Biscuit). 

I’m forever grateful to New Vocations for placing him and also helping me through the process. It took the stress out of looking for a horse and replaced it with excitement. I’ve been so impressed with the community of knowledgeable adopters and owners as well. I look forward to taking Biscuit to future shows with other NV grads and showing off all of our hard work.

I see the rest of my life with Biscuit. I never thought I’d be back in the saddle on a Thoroughbred or starting over with a green horse. With every ride, on our days off, and just hanging out together, I am so proud to call him my own. From the time that he first showed up I’ve been head over heels with him. If you’re considering adopting an off-the-track Thoroughbred, start your search here and get yourself a Biscuit. 

Ambassador: Lauryn Haynie, Nest Realty, Richmond
New Vocations Graduate: Unnamed Gemswick Park '18
Instagram: @lauryn_rvarealtor

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