The Story of Clever Allemont

Picture above Clever Allemont in his prime.

This is a story about a chain of miracles caused by an extraordinary horse who beat the odds again!

Winding Road Equine Rescue is now gone but the story of Clever Allemont is one that I felt should be told and saved forever. It is one of inspiration and Clever Allemont was the very first horse that we saw when we went to visit Old Friends for the first time. My husband was overwhelmed with emotion just watching him that day. As the tour moved on, we stayed and watched Clever. It was later that I found out about his story and from that day forward my life has been changed. It led me to save my very own boy " I'm Charismatic" who also now lives at Old Friends, but Clever Allemont will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart! I will always be thankful to Kristen for bringing him to Old Friends.I believe this story should be saved and cherished forever!

Below is the blog entry that is now gone written by Kristen Chambers

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2008

The Miracle of Clever Allemont

For those of you who already know the story of Clever Allemont, please forgive the repetition for those who don't.

It was Saturday, December 13. I received a call from a broker telling me he had a horse that was "too pretty to ship". (Ship translates shipping to slaughter.) He said he had a three-year-old Quarter Horse filly, a dappled palomino, fat, healthy and dog gentle. I told him I would be there shortly to take pictures of her and post them on the Alex Brown Racing forum, where I would try to raise her "bail" through the Fans of Barbaro. To date, with their generosity, Winding Road has rescued six equines from this broker.

The palomino was as the broker said she was--absolutely stunning. She looked very lost in the corral, and was following the resident donkey as if her life depended on it. In a sense, it did. She was very gentle and sweet, enjoying pets and scratches--so much it was hard to photograph her as she came so close. It hit me instantly that she would be called "Treasure"--lost and found.

Then the broker showed me a dark bay horse with his head hanging, isolated in a narrow pen. "Think ya can do anything for him?" He pulled the horse's Jockey Club papers from the bib pocket of his overalls so I knew this was a Thoroughbred, and asked if he was still a stallion. The answer was yes. I asked if he happened to have a copy machine, to which he said, "No, but I'll take you to one." So away we went to the closest grocery store, the broker who had been in the slaughter trade for four decades and the rescue lady.

Upon arriving back at the broker's I went to the stallion's pen to take his picture, too. It was as if he had accepted his fate, and had just shut down. Horse people realize how intuitive they are to their environment. He didn't appear to have moved, oblivious to his surroundings.

He did, however, respond to my voice as I sweet-talked him from the fence. He walked over to me and I can honestly say I have never been affected by any horse as much I was by him at that very moment when my hand reached out through the fence to stroke his graying face. One eye was gone. I was overcome by tears. I've got some hard bark, as the saying goes, but inside I am pure mush. Still, I am not usually prone to fall prey to my emotions, at least until I get home. I had seen his pedigree, a list of illustrious wins. He was born the same year as my firstborn--I was very aware of his age. I wept for him, and I didn't grasp then, but I was crying for the hundreds of thousands like him who had not been and would not be so lucky. I was resolute that this stallion's luck had just changed.

And it had. Oh, boy, did it change!

I told the broker to hold the horses and rushed home to the computer. I was virtually unable to talk about Clever Allemont without breaking up, but I could type.

I posted the photos of Treasure and the horse I knew to be registered as Clever Allemont. Within 28 minutes of my original post, this arrived on the thread from FOB "prudery":

I remember this horse well---I will bail him ... He was a nice horse in NY .. OP stands for Oaklawn Park ... CD is indeed Churchill ... Do not let him go to kill---I have no place for him--but I will pay the whole deal in honor of a racing friend that died young ...

Another link in the chain of miracles. I think Treasure was the first one--a beautiful golden link, and perhaps even a tarnished one from the broker when he asked if there was anything I could do for Clever Allemont. The chain would keep growing.

"Bail" was raised for the lovely Treasure, too. Donations came in--notably from FOB "Brambles", for feed, a blanket. The board was lit up for the one-eyed 26-year-old stallion, revealing an unbelievably rich history. Clever Allemont had been a superstar in his day! I was in no way surprised. Even in his dire straits and depression, nobility was not lost in him. With everything in place, we would be going to pick them up the next day.

But there was a problem. There are no facilities suitable for a stallion at Winding Road. A search was made for temporary housing until a permanent place could be found for him. That was in the works. I had received a conference call with not only more of Clever Allemont's amazing background ( the illustrious tracks, trainers and jockeys, such as Lynn Whiting. D. Wayne Lukas, Pat Day and Angel Cordero), but also the reassurance that those connected with TRF were working to find a place for him. They were waiting to talk to Diana Baker, who was temporarily out of contact at a Christmas party.

Here comes the next link. I called my friends (and supporters of the rescue), Ray and Jeanne Mason, of Donegal Ranch Quarter Horses, in Williamsburg, to relay this incredible unfolding saga. I knew they would appreciate a good story, which they did. Within five minutes of hanging up, they called back, and said, "We'll take him."

With God as my witness, I did not call them to drop a hint. The Masons raise quality performance Quarter Horses. They have a small herd of mares. They do not stand a stallion. I never dreamed that there would be a place for Clever Allemont there, but suddenly there was. They had a new barn, with box stalls and pipe runs, where other horses would be in his sight. And the care and love he would receive there was just as important, and of that, there was no question. If one is reincarnated as an animal, they would be lucky to land at Donegal Ranch!

Through all the ensuing posts, phone calls and emails, a pair of words kept reverberating: Old Friends. There was a chance that Clever Allemont would enjoy his well-earned retirement in Kentucky at one of the finest Thoroughbred retirement facilities. It seemed too good to be true, but I had complete faith if not that, something special was going to materialize for Clever Allemont.

The next day, Sunday, began with a balmy 50 degrees. By the time we were on our way to pick up Treasure and Clever Allemont, the temperature had plummeted almost 40 degrees and a stiff north wind was whipping like a jockey on the homestretch. The rescued racer was perfect in haltering and blanketing, but was having no part of loading. Period. Patience and persistence were not paying off. We tried bribery--food and girls. Thanks, but no thanks. Treasure had been loaded and unlaoded three times in trying to accomodate him. (She was gettng more beautiful all the time.) Occasionally, we had to get in the truck to warm up. I can't remember ever having been so cold in my life. I don't know what finally made him decide to load--a bit of momentum and a shove from the rear and he was in!

We needed to off-load Treasure at Winding Road, before taking Clever Allemont on to Donegal Ranch. It was dark now and a mix of sleet and snow had started to fall. A trailer load of rescued Curlies was arriving at the same time, hauled by a pair of volunteers. (That will be another post.) With all the chaos, I had to go to the house to check email and the answering machine to see if there was any word of Clever Allemont's retirement.

I heard Diana Baker's elated and tearful voice on the machine, saying that Michael Blowen of Old Friends had not hesitated to welcome Clever Allemont to their facility. My one-eyed friend of graying face would be joining a handful of distinguished Throughbreds living a life of leisure and luxury. I ran up the hill to the barn, yelling, "He's going to Kentucky! He's going to Kentucky!" In reliving that as I write, those tears of joy are back.

His miracle kept growing. Donations came in to cover his veterinary expense, and a whopping donation from Dee Ramirez of Emporia, who paid for his ride to Kentucky. As of this writing, we are still awaiting his departure date, but accomodations have been made.

His story was covered by the Topeka Capital-Journal and was picked up by several newspapers throughout the state and beyond. Michael called me to tell me that it had hit the front page of Lexinton's Herald-Leader. The Emporia Gazette and our favorite reporter Brandy Nance told his story on their front page, too. I was interviewed by Bloodhorse while sitting in the truck to get out of the wind, and the Thoroughbred Times while standing on the front porch to make sure I didn't lose reception. There is still an article forthcoming from the Ottawa Herald. One again, Clever Allemont is in the spotlight and his name is spoken by his fans, new and old.

He is receiving visitors and mail at Donegal Ranch and is always a gracious host. He seems to understand what the camera is all about--a real ham. He thrives on attention, carrots and Mrs. Pasture's horse cookies. He was perfect while having his hooves trimmed. Like all horses, loves a good roll in the mud.

Through the publicity, he has put Jeanne back in touch with an old college friend and through him I have made many new friends over the Internet. I even received an email from Tokyo from Barbara Bayer, who investigated and exposed the slaughter of Ferdinand. Not everyday happenings in Waverly, Kansas! This is just a ripple effect from the chain of miracles caused by an extraordinary horse who beat the odds again.

I can't think of this horse without a smile, thinking of his past, where is he is today and what lies in his future as he gets ready for his trip to Old Friends. Call it what you like, but I believe it's a miracle, coming at Christmas time when a worried world needed a shot of faith, hope and love. It was something that was absolutely meant to be. When I was so overcome at first sight of him, I now believe I was sensitive to the shift in the universe, the parting of the clouds that was changing his fate. I didn't understand, but I do now. It wasn't his time. His work wasn't done. And how blessed I feel to be a small part of the story of a forgotten dark bay horse who almost slipped away from us, but instead beat the odds to win the race of his lifetime, back in the winner's circle-- where he belongs.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009

I Left My Heart in Georgetown, Kentucky

On January 3, 2009, on a winter day void of precipitation and polar temperatures, Clever Allemont arrived at his permanent retirement home at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky. After a 12 hour trek, he stepped out of the trailer in his royal blue blanket donated by his FOB friend, Brambles. He was met by the first of many fans: Michael Blowen, and his wife, Diane; and a host of volunteers, the kind that make your world go 'round if you run a rescue. He buried his precious nose in a flake of alfalfa hay in his awaiting stall, quite oblivious to the stir he had caused. Short of some stiffness, he appeared unstressed by the journey.

Royal in blue, the King of Comebacks

Allers: "Thanks, Brambles!" For Allers, it was a dose of Bute, for us is was beer and pizza and getting acquainted. Being at Old Friends is an experience like no other. I equate it to heaven on earth--for horses and horse lovers. When I read a magnet on the refrigerator that read TRUST YOUR CRAZY IDEAS, I knew both Allers and I had landed in the right place. Talk about transplanted Southern hospitality, all the way from Boston. To meet this couple is to love them. To know them is to cherish them. They are the right people for the job. The warmth they have or the horses extends to their human guests, and the house is a mecca of racing memorabilia, made even more special as almost all came as gifts. Michael is like a kid when he talks about the horses and Old Friends. Although he is very realistic about the problmes faced by Thoroughbreds who are no longer producing an income, he exudes a positive outlook that is infectious. There was a golf cart tour in the morning with Michael our enthusiastic tour guide. He has probably told the horses' story a thousand times, but the wonder of it all hasn't been lost on him. "It's like having Larry Bird and Michael Jordan in my yard," he said.

Narrowly saved from euthanasia due to infertility, Williamstown relaxes in his paddock. This son of Seattle Slew earned a Beyer speed figure of 135. (Big Brown's was 109 in the Derby.)

Michael and Sunshine Forever, admittedly a favorite, share a secret

The tour was cut a bit short with the arrival of Dr. Byars. If the horses of Old Friends can be equated to Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, their vet could be seen as a real-life equine Marcus Welby. His list of patients would look like a Who's Who of Thoroughbred Greats. (Likenesses of Storm Cat and Unbridled hang on his office wall.) Michael says he is a diagnostic genius. I can attest to the fact he's amazingly intelligent, but my favorite thing about him is how REAL he is. He comes off as just an ordinary guy, but there was nothing that wasn't extraordinary about this trip, and that definitely includes Dr. Doug. In fact, I considered kidnapping him and stuffing him in the trailer to haul back to Winding Road for a week.

Michael, Allers and Dr. Byars. Notice how the elderly equine "gentle"man has no halter on.

Good heart rate, no murmur. Some dental work in order, but all in all a clean bill of health.

Allers: "Is it true Secretariat was one of your patients, Dr. Doug?"

Finally, it was time to turn him out. This was what would define the trip for me. His blanket was removed, as the day was shaping up to a fine one. In fact, it was unseasonably warm. (I like to think it was the breath of Allers' Angels.) Michael haltered him, snapped on a lead rope and led him from the barn.

A calm and curious Allers leaves the barn with Michael

Walking down the hallowed asphalt lane to the paddock, the air came alive with calls from the other stallions and Allers called back. We could only imagine what they were saying. They raced to the rails for a better look. To see and hear all this power served to intensify the moment that lay ahead, when Allers would be turned loose for the first time at Old Friends. I knew that it would signify he was really here, joining the ranks of the champions, these greatest of equine athletes. I struggled to stay in the moment and not to think of another walk he could have taken.

Free!

In spite of all the activity, Allers remained well-behaved as the lead was unsnapped and he was free. He sniffed and pawed as stallions will, then broke into a classy, reaching, extended trot. He didn't gallop, rear or buck. He investigated his new surroundings in this breath-taking gait, his head high, proud, dignified and above all else, safe. He was home.

I didn't sob or fall on the ground, though I must confess I could have. This was it, what it was all about. From that frigid afternoon of December 13, and the ensuing emails, posts and phone calls that would lead to this very moment. I did shed some tears. How could I not? Magic and miracles had gotten him here, and the efforts and love of a nation of horse lovers from California to Maryland. Once again, Clever Allemont had people standing up and cheering. This wasn't the Derby. It had been the race for his life, and he had won.

We watched him in the spectacular, ground-covering trot, to which Michael joked, "Well, I'm ready for my dressage lesson now!" Then Allers stopped to paw and finally to roll, all four legs in the air. Maybe we anthropomorphize too much, but I won't apologize. I believe he knew he had reached the finish line and he was home.

Allers is home!

From there, it was pure fun for a small town Kansas girl. We were whisked away for a radio interview! Dr. Doug drove Michael, Rod and me to The Thoroughbred Center, a training facility in Lexington, owned by the Keeneland Association. You can catch this radio program at http://www.ercelellis.com/. This was like something out of a movie. The radio show is aired from the clocker's stand!

The best little radio station in Kentucky!

Ercel Ellis, radio host official clocker, is out of a movie, too. He looks and sounds the part of the quintessential Kentucky horseman, from his distinctive accent to his driving cap. It was a hoot being on the radio, and watching the horses breeze by.

Here's to you, Clever Allemont!

When we returned to Old Friends, there was a tour taking place and a bevy of visitors were clustered around Clever Allemont, with Beth as guide. Allers seems to have posing for the camera down to an art, as well as taking carrots very sweetly. He is not rude at all. No re-training for a second career needed for this off-the-track Thoroughbred. He's a natural in his new position.

It's all about cameras and carrots now.

Allers: "Yes, I'm delighted to be here."

Channel 27 from Lexington came out shortly after. It was odd. When they arrived, the sun came out, as if Allers Angels were his self-appointed celestial lighting crew. And when the TV crew left, the sun went with them.

We all watched the six o'clock news and it was great fun, but it called attention to the fact that our mission was complete. We'd be leaving in the morning. Winding Road's fifteen-minutes-of-fame clock was about ticked out.

Maybe it's true that parting is such sweet sorrow. Telling Allers good-bye was hard, as I knew it would be. I did so in private, so I could blubber a bit and spout off what amounted to something from a badly-scripted Disney movie. He listened politely to the sniffly statements like, "I love you" and "Don't forget me, boy," and "You'll be safe and happy forever." That statement resonates, though. Safe, Happy...Forever.

So I guess my final words on this post are to Clever Allemont--they're not really for him. They're for me. What I wish I could tell him.

My precious Allers,

So many people have thanked me for saving you, and it's my turn to thank you. I am so proud of you. You are a king among kings. You have taught us some important lessons for those who choose to look. I don't need to spell them out as they'll be different to each person who has followed your story, the incredible journey that got you from the broker's lot to Old Friends. Thank you for that, and for being such a good boy. You were a gracious guest, an exemplary equine citizen, and now you are residing forever among champions. Thank you for giving me a little bit of fun and all these unbelievable memories I have now. I have met some incredible people because of you. Thanks for the ride, buddy! You will always mean the world to me. You made it better, just by being in it. Love you, Allers!

Our parting shot.....

My heart....

in Georgetown, Kentucky.

UPDATE:

Feb.6, 2011 Clever at Old Friends

I hope the story above will be one that is never forgotten and for those that are involved in horse racing, it should be a lesson well learned-these athletes are always valued, for those involved in breeding it should help them to strive for better-these horses have fulfilled a duty and deserve the best, and for those that are involved in rescue, it should be an inspiration to carry on and never ever give up! This is my favorite picture of Michael with Clever Allemont -the relationship he has with Clever is very special.

picture taken by Aaron Adkins (my son)