Andrea McGowan adopted her first LongRun Thoroughbred Adoption Society graduate in 2010. The organization was recommended to her by a friend, who exercised racehorses at Woodbine, as being a trusted source for horse adoption. Creemore was McGowan's equine partner for 11 years before his well-deserved retirement in 2021.
After retiring Creemore, McGowan knew where to look for her next horse.
"There was no question of where I'd find my next partner in crime," McGowan declared.
Rule the Sea, now known as Britania or Britta for short, raced seven times at Woodbine and Fort Erie in 2020-21, earning a total of $6,794. She was just a couple of days off the track when McGowan rode her for the first time at LongRun.
"It was just about love at first sight," wrote McGowan.
Britta was all business, seemingly unbothered by the pigeons that flew around in the area. "She just put her feet down in such a confident, classy way," McGowan said.
McGowan quickly recognized Britta as the smartest and quickest horse she had ever ridden. The pair progressed rapidly in their training. Just 18 months after Britta's adoption, they competed in their first Hunter/Jumper show, pinning in every class they entered.
"In her first Jumper class, she turned and burned like a pro," McGowan remarked.
Soon after their successful first show, they tried their hand at short-course eventing.
McGowan has big goals for herself and Britta, but most importantly, she wants to enjoy every second that they have together. Her ultimate goal is to have as many wonderful adventurous years with Britta as she did with Creemore.
"I look forward to Britta becoming a great all-rounder," McGowan shared.
She hopes to continue to progress in Dressage, participate in lots of clinics, and continue to show in the Jumpers.
McGowan expressed, "I'm so grateful to Longrun and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for giving these superb athletes the chance to shine in their post-racing life."
