09/26/2026
🌟 Feature Friday: Meet Ricky! 🌟
Or Richard. Or Ricky Bobby. Or Tricky Ricky. Or Dick. 😂 His registered race name is Rictor Nine Dot 0, but around the barn, he answers to quite the collection of names!
Ricky is a 15.2-hand off-track Thoroughbred who raced 34 times before beginning his next chapter. His owner brought him home in 2016, just as he was turning six.
That transition wasn't always easy. Ricky initially struggled with new environments that reminded him of the racetrack—announcers, horses running in the distance, and busy atmospheres could all be challenging. But with plenty of patience, persistence, and help from their trainers, the pair competed at the Retired Racehorse Project only about eight months later! 💚
Today, Ricky has learned to approach new things with patience and always gives a good effort... although he still likes everyone to know that he has opinions. His biggest quirk? When loading onto the trailer, he must refuse the first time. 😂 It doesn't matter how excited he is for the adventure—apparently he just needs to establish that going was ultimately his decision.
And adventures are definitely Ricky's thing! He LOVES jumping, particularly anything involving tight turns, angles, skinny fences, or threading the needle. He's also a huge fan of running through water, horse shows, and clinics. He's handy, seemingly never runs out of energy, and his rider's advice is simple: better hang on! 🐎💨
But one of the sweetest parts of Ricky comes out after a particularly fun adventure or a job well done. He'll become bright-eyed and peaceful, then press his head into his owner's chest for what feels like his own version of a horse hug. 🥹💚
His other favorite things? Pink Lady apples, black licorice, Tinker, and Murphy. 🍎
