by Norinne “Nonni” Hilchey Daly

Portland, ME — Maine is becoming a place where the Standardbred is showing more and doing more in the pleasure world, evidenced by a great win Sunday (April 1) for Amajortime and her owner, Katie Flaherty.

Amajortime was shown in her first-ever dressage show and earned the blue among all breeds in a class of ten, with a very high score and exceptional marks.

Kevin Flaherty photo

Amajortime and Katie Flaherty posted a dressage win on Sunday.

Katie Flaherty lives in Portland, with her husband Kevin and has been involved in the industry for 12 years, starting as a pari-mutuel teller before moving over to the stables to handle and groom. She first owned Snap Hanover, who has left us. He never showed, but did marshal races on occasion.

Kevin and Katie bought Amajortime intending to race her, but one race and a subsequent injury meant that her days on the track were over. She went under saddle on Christmas Eve 2010, a mere 16 months ago, and today’s win shows how versatile and talented a breed the Standardbred is. Amajortime is an Art Major daughter and a Jate Lobell granddaughter, is eight years old and has a long and potentially great second career in her sights.

The Flahertys own another retired racer, CC Bagaluck, who was gifted to them by owner Drew Campbell. His future holds work as Kevin’s trail horse, while Amajortime will continue to be Katie’s dressage queen.

It is indicative of the talents of the breed that the top horse at Intro Level Dressage in the State of Maine last year was a Standardbred. People are starting to take notice.