Horse sense

On July 5, 2004, 3-year-old stallion Smarty Jones, winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, stood at the starting gate at Belmont Park, poised to win the first Triple Crown since Affirmed took the titles in 1978.

At home in the Westbank, 10-year-old Madison Scott was glued to the family’s big-screen television, accompanied by several of her favorite plastic Breyer horses. It was the first horse race of her life.

She watched Smarty Jones bolt out of the gate, his spirit barely in check in the early leg of the race. Smarty Jones lost his bid for the Triple Crown that day, outpaced at the end by 36-1 long shot Birdstone. What the chestnut racehorse lost in the Belmont Stakes, he gained in stalwart fan support from a bright-eyed Texas filly seated in front of a television set.

“I fell in love with him during that race,” Scott, now 15, said. “I began to read books and articles about him online – anything I could get my hands on. I collect everything I can find – programs, ticket stubs, posters, photos – anything.”

Scott now even follows the foals sired by Smarty Jones, all 300 of them. She said about 100 are active in races now. Sure, the teenager keeps up with horses in other big races, horses like Saratoga hopeful Rachel Alexandra.

“But there’s no horse like Smarty,” she said decidedly.

For five years now, Scott has been Smarty Jones’ number-one fan. Her passionate interest followed him into retirement to Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky in August 2004 after he encountered problems with chronic ankle bruising. That interest earned the Westlake High School sophomore the rare honor of an invitation to meet with Smarty Jones’ owner, Pat Chapman, and a visit to Three Chimneys Farm in June. Chapman asked Three Chimneys to arrange a visit after corresponding with Scott.

“Maddy had been writing and e-mailing Three Chimneys ever since Smarty moved there,” Chapman said. “They kept telling me about this fabulous fan. I was curious.”

After 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown moved to Three Chimneys earlier this year, Scott became concerned that Smarty Jones would be eclipsed and lose his coveted stall to the more recent race winner.

“She sent the farm a big poster that said, ‘Do not move Smarty Jones,’ and threatened a boycott,” Chapman said, chuckling. “I thought that was so precious. I thought I better get in touch with this remarkable young lady.”

First by mail, then by e-mail, Scott and Chapman corresponded. Chapman told Three Chimneys that she wanted to meet Scott in person, and the staff arranged a summer visit.

Along with Chapman, Scott got the chance to meet with many of the team members at Three Chimneys, including owner Robert Clay, marketing director Jen Roytz and tour director Ann Hayes.

“When I first started working at Three Chimneys in 2006, the previous tour guides had a file that included several letters from Madison,” Hayes said. “Her letters kept coming, and I replied.”

Smarty Jones has a lot of fans, Hayes said.

“But Madison convinced us through her letters and e-mails that she really was the number one fan,” Hayes said. “Her enthusiasm is addictive.”

“It’s in her blood, and it doesn’t go away,” Scott’s mother, Lori, said. “Maddy has always been passionate about whatever she is interested in. For kids who love horses and then move on, it’s a fever. For those who love them forever, it’s a disease.”

The teenaged horse addict said she learned a lot during her summer visit to dreamland.

“I got a feel for the life of people who live and breathe horses, at least the people who have done very well at it,” she said. “These people were so welcoming. They are already like a family. They told me they expect a lot from me.”

Those expectations don’t seem to worry the youngster. She is already looking at colleges and options in equine science and management programs. Three Chimneys has already talked to her about job shadowing when she is older.

Whatever she does for a living, Scott is going to have to have her hands on horses, said her mother.

“Because of a passion she never let die, she has met these amazing people who want to help her as she chooses her career,” Lori said. “They are giving her a good look at what it means to make a living with horses.”

Nearer to the present, Scott is already making plans with Three Chimneys to visit again during the 2010 World Equestrian Games held in Kentucky starting in September. Chapman said she looks forward to meeting with Scott again during the trip.

 “Maddy has already surpassed me with her horse knowledge,” Chapman said. “It is fascinating to see what she has taught herself. I am really excited about seeing what she decides to do with her life.”