b'2019 NATIONAL AWARDS Rood & Riddle Thoroughbred Sport Horse of the YearJetOn the racetrack,line to get some walking in so as to address that excess pep.Reckless Cat didI normally have to lunge him for 45 minutes to an hour not leave much ofto get him ready and be able to have that good man when an impression, buthe goes in the ring, Sessums said. Once you get to the in his second careerhorse show, when you do one class, hell throw a couple as a jumper andof bucks, and then he finally just settles and is perfect. He competing as Jet,delivers.he has soared to newBred in Ontario by his initial trainer and Canadian Hall heights. of Famer Reade Baker and Queensvalley Farm, Reckless Owned by hisCat failed to secure a victory in five starts in 2009-10 for regular rider, Lilaowners Jim and Susan Hill. At age 4 in 2010, the son of Sessums of Clinton,Cats At Home made his final start with trainer Alice Cohn, Miss., Jet postedwho facilitated the sale to Sessums for his second career.victories in 2019While a fourth-place finish on the Woodbine turf would competitions at Gulfbe the best race outing for Reckless Cat, he has gone on to Coast Winter Classics Horse Show in Gulfport, Miss.;find success in his new job.Brownland Farm in Franklin, Tenn.; Tryon InternationalHe brings so much talent to these competitions, Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C.; and the WinterSessums said of the gelding who has been competing in his Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Internationalnew career for eight years. He just has super talent.Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla., to secure the RoodFor his 2019 efforts, Jet also was recognized with a & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year Award from TOBA. HeRood & Riddle Sport Horse Award in the open division earned $15,000. for jumpers. Sponsored by Rood & Riddle, TOBA, and Sessums noted that Jet typically needs some work beforethe United States Equestrian Federation. Those awards each competition to burn off extra energy, but once heare given each year to honor Thoroughbreds in their settles into the challenge, he displays tremendous focus. Atsecond careers in jumper, hunter, eventing, and dressage competitions she gets to work early, putting him on a lungecompetitions.Frank AngstRobert N. Clay Conservation AwardHorse Farms ForeverThe nonprofitHFF is raising awareness about the important role Horse Farms Foreverhorses and horse farms play in the Ocala/Marion was founded in 2018County community. In coordination with community to raise awarenessstakeholders, the organization is focused on a long-term of the importance ofstrategy of conserving and protecting horse farms and the horse farms and theFarmland Preservation Area from the threats of unplanned Farmland Preservationgrowth and road development.Area in MarionIn two short years the non-profit has helped strengthen County, Fla. Thethe Farmland Preservation Areas boundaries. It has catalyst for this was theworked to call attention to development and roadway Florida Departmentthreats that encroach into the Farmland Preservation Area. of TransportationsHFF is working with community leaders and threat to put a tolllandowners to establish a Rural Land Management Plan road through the heartto help protect the nearly 1,200 horse farms in Marion of the countys mostCounty. In addition to protecting the land for farms, these pristine horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area. new policies will help protect the horse industry, which The organizations mission is to preserve the charactercontributes more than $2.6 billion to the countys economy and culture that horses, horse farms, and the Farmlandand employs more than 20,000 people. Preservation Area bring to Marion County. While growthHorse Farms Forever is dedicated to preserving the is good for a community, urban growth becomes urbancharacter and culture that make Ocala/Marion County the sprawl without strong rural land management policies.Horse Capital of the World.Holley Groshek20 TOBA NATIONAL AWARDS DINNER/2020'