Trotting to a Different Beat
By Jamie Coffy, Administrator of the USTA's Standardbred Equestrian Program

When Final Arnie found himself in the sales ring at the Blooded Horse Sale in Delaware, Ohio, in August 1998, he probably thought it was just a layover before his next trip to the track.

The Ohio-bred trotter did fairly well in 1997 as a 3-year-old racing in Ohio and at the Meadows in Pennsylvania for owner Richard Ellwood of Lancaster, Ohio. He earned $9,098 for the year, with two wins. The bay took his lifetime mark in the 3-year-old Ohio fair stake at Washington Court House in July.

The next year, however, was not so kind to the son of Arnies Exchange. Though not prone to breaks as some trotters are, he could not seem to find his way out of the pack by the finish line. His best effort as a 4-year-old came in March in an early closer at the Meadows, where he finished second in 2:02.1

Seven starts and five months later, the gelding stood before the crowd at the sale. When the hammer fell for the third time, Kentucky native Colleen Breslin came forward to claim him.

A member Standardbred Equestrian Program, Breslin had other plans for the racehorse: a career as a Standardbred pleasure and show horse.

Breslin has since dubbed the trotter with a show name of "Get Jiggy With It" and calls him Jiggy. Buying and training the bay was just part of a lifetime love for Breslin, who started taking riding lessons on Morgan horses at age 6 and has shown roadsters for more than 20 years.

The gelding has performed in harness at shows like the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Ky., but Breslin said she really enjoys the experience of showing off his high-stepping trot in roadster under saddle classes. When not preparing for shows or participating in them, she and Jiggy take to the trails. Besides Jiggy, she owns and rides another Standardbred, "I B Flying," who is a retired roadster.

Her favorite part of owning a Standardbred: "All of it," she said. "Showing, trail riding, grooming, playing, bathing them, (and) just being part of their life.

"This is a very strong, proud breed!"

Photo: courtesy of Colleen Breslin.

Cutline (if needed): Colleen Breslin and Get Jiggy With It show off in roadster under saddle classes.