by Tammy Knox, director of race marketing affairs, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Hoosier Park is pleased to welcome C.S.C. Farms Wildlife Rehab to the Memorial Day racing program. The organization, based in Hartford City, Ind. will offer guests of all ages a look at some of the exotic animals that are currently based at their facility. Included in the display is an alligator and a Munt Jak, which is a miniature deer.

With more than 160 animals on their property, C.S.C. Farms first came into contact with Hoosier Park following an extreme case of abuse to a horse last year. After providing the information to Vice President of Marketing Jahnae Erpenbach, Hoosier Park became the official sponsor of Lilly, the newest resident of the not-for-profit facility that sits on 10 acres of property that is adjacent to a wildlife reserve.

“We were contacted by Indy Care and Control last summer about Lilly,” said Zach Crouch, who is the son of one of the farm’s founders, Judi Crouch. “Lilly had been seized from a home in downtown Indianapolis on an animal cruelty charge. She had spent the first seven years of her life in a 10 by 10 dog kennel with no care. Her coat had never been brushed and she was only about 240 or 250 pounds. She was on death’s door. I don’t know how she had made it that long in those conditions.”

Lilly, who was named after the mother of the woman who transported her to the farm, was immediately put into rehabilitation. Besides her physical capacity, she had no social skills and is still struggling to trust humans. Through the assistance of Hoosier Park, Lilly is now under the care of a horse trainer that is working with her.”

“She is still pretty nervous,” said Crouch. “And, she still bites. She is very anti-men and although she’s supposed to be a full-grown palomino horse, her time in the dog kennel has stunted her growth and she is now pony-sized.”

Lilly isn’t quite ready for an appearance at Hoosier Park, so C.S.C. Farms will provide other animals from their facility for fans to enjoy during the special Memorial Day racing program. The farm has animals ranging from native to exotic at all times, and has even cared for a set of bears before taking them to Colorado to release them back into the wild.

“We are definitely volunteer-based,” said Crouch. “We work with local Humane Societies and Law Enforcement agencies and are governed by the Department of Natural Resources. We rely on donations to keep our facility running.”

C.S.C. Farms has been in operation since 1988. They deal with all types of animals from seized to orphaned or injured animals. They currently have animals ranging from goats, turkeys, and peacocks to raccoons and a variety of birds. Stop by their booth in the Grandstand Paddock to find out more information on their facility.

Longtime Outriding Horse Brutus Retires at Hoosier Park

Hoosier Park Photo

Neil Stalhiem and Brutus (right) along with Stalhiem’s wife, Kim, on the horse on the left.

Many employees have delivered impeccable service to Hoosier Park over the years. One icon that has fulfilled his duties with flying colors is Neil Stalhiem’s Quarter Horse, Brutus, who will make his final trip down the homestretch at Hoosier Park Monday, May 30.

“I bought Brutus up in Northern Indiana from a weekend trail rider,” said Stalhiem, who has served as Hoosier Park’s outrider since 1997. “He was five or six when I bought him. I knew the history on him. He had been a Futurity Barrel Horse when he was three. Knowing that story, he caught my eye.”

Stalhiem and his wife, Kim, went to pick up their new purchase. However, he wasn’t the sleek, fit horse he once was.

“He (Brutus) looked like a plow horse,” said Stalhiem. “He was huge. But when I started working with him, I thought he was going to work out for what I needed him to do.”

Brutus caught on quickly to the outriding business. He was soon chasing down loose horses at River Downs and dealing with unruly horses on the track.

“The more he (Brutus) caught horses, the more he picked up on it,” said Stalhiem. “I’d have to say he’s close to being the best I have ever had to do this job,”

Stalhiem and Brutus have made a solid team over the past 14 years. Now 19, Brutus has come to the end of his service for the track. He has served as the primary horse on the track for both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing since 1997, and has provided some exciting moves, catching Thoroughbreds and standing his ground when a driver is experiencing problems with a Standardbred. Brutus now moves into a new phase of life. Although he will continue to serve others, the pace will be slightly less demanding on the old-timer.

“Depending on his personality, Brutus may be used for riding lessons or summer camps for kids with mental and physical handicaps,” said Shara, who oversees operations at Opening Gates Equine Assisted Counseling & Learning. “We are located in Jeffersonville, Ind. and provide all types of therapy, even marriage and group counseling. We offer groups for kids with disabilities free of charge and use horses to assist in this process.”

Stalhiem began his work as an outrider at Commodore Downs in Eerie, Pa. in 1975. He is currently working with several potential replacements, including Poco, who has been Brutus’ backup for the past four years. Stalhiem has also been utilizing Rachel Matthews’ retired Standardbred, Survive This. Matthews uses the horse for big events during the Standardbred season, serving as the Parade Marshall for the racing program.

Brutus has been a true ambassador for racing at Hoosier Park and we honor his service to Hoosier Park with a special retirement ceremony following the second race on the special Memorial Day racing program. Please join us in sending Brutus to his new life by stopping by the Grandstand Paddock and giving him one last peppermint, a treat he has gladly accepted over the years by racing fans between races. Thank you Brutus!