In their most recent edition of Horse Highlight, Post Time with Mike and Mike features Michigan veteran If All Else Fails, who was donated by Tim and Ashley Leineke in 2009 to the New Vocations Michigan facility.
If All Else Fails is a beautiful 17-year-old pacing gelding that stands 15.1 hands tall and has been broke to ride for many years. “He was placed again because of life changes for his previous adopter,” stated Winnie Nemeth, Standardbred Program Director.
When talking with past connections, Ashley Leineke said, “I’ll never forget the first time I saw him. I think he was three. He had a long poofy forelock and big eyes; I thought he was the prettiest standardbred I'd ever seen.” She mainly remembers the one race he won for them at the now-defunct Raceway Park in Toledo, Ohio. “It was memorable because he was parked the whole mile and won by open lengths. That was pretty exciting,” Ashley said. Both Nemeth and Leineke said he is really nice to work with around and in the barn.
“He was used to being a pet and hadn't been ridden much, but since coming back to us, he is now adapting very well to riding, and he loves it. He would enjoy going on trails and is also a good turn out buddy for other geldings,” Nemeth said.
If All Else Fails last stepped on the racetrack in 2009, rolling in over $17,000 in 84 starts. At three, he took a mark of 1:57.4. Although he hasn’t stepped foot on a racetrack in eight years, he is broke to drive and it wouldn't take much practice to get him used to it again.
Although he is 17 years old, he still has a lot of life left in him, and would be the perfect horse for just about anyone. If All Else Fails is currently standing in the Laurelville, Ohio facility, with a waived adoption fee. To learn more about New Vocations, visit their website.
(Post Time with Mike and Mike)