While it is not uncommon for horses used in equine-assisted service programming to have transitioned from a previous career, it is unlikely that many of them have both "graded stakes racehorse" and "national dressage champion" on their resumes. But Spin Doctor, a race bred Arabian, has done all that and more. Now in his third career as a para-dressage schoolmaster at Therapeutic Riding Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, "Spin" brings talent, sensitivity and experience to his work.

Bred and owned by Kathy Smoke of Mokee Arabians in Britton, Michigan, Spin's bloodlines are chock full of successful equine athletes in sports such as endurance, eventing, jumping, and show ring English and western. But Smoke's primary discipline is racing, and Spin had a successful career on the track, winning six of 13 career starts. As a 3 and 4 year old, Spin was an Arabian Racing Cup nominee. He also placed in the Bob Magness Memorial Arabian Derby (Gr 2) at Delaware Park, and raced in the prestigious UAE President Cup in 2012 (Pimlico, Maryland) and 2013 (Churchill Downs, Kentucky).

When he retired from racing at the end of 2013, Smoke transitioned into ridden performance under the guidance of dressage professional Ryan Yap. During his dressage career, Spin earned many additional accolades, including Region 10 In Hand Stallion Champion and US Arabian Sport Horse National Champion at First Level, where he bested a field of 45. In 2018, he even represented race bred Arabians at the "Off to the Races" themed Breyer Fest at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he was happy to pose with attendees for photos and "autograph" their Breyer models.

In 2020, Spin joined the equine staff at Therapeutic Riding, Inc., an organization whose vision is to "see people of all abilities learning, playing, growing, and competing together as equals." There, he soon found his niche within their para-dressage program.

"He is very in tune with his rider's state of being, making him a useful [teacher] for instilling the importance of mindfulness and confidence in riding, and how they translate to a horse's ability to trust their partner and relax," says Lynn Zwica, a dressage instructor at TRI. "Once a rider learns how to access a state of confident and centered relaxation while interacting with him, they are rewarded with a talented and willing horse who is ready and capable to take their riding to the next level. The value of having a well-trained horse that can provide this kind of partnership and challenge to our riders cannot be overstated."

Jennifer Beyer, TRI program director and para-dressage coach, shares that Spin is a "true gentleman," who has the unique ability to determine what a rider is asking from him, even if they are unable to do so in a traditional way.

"I tell riders that horses are like library books - every time you check one out, you learn something new!" says Beyer with a laugh. "And, the truth is, our horses are far better teachers than I am. Spin Doctor's ‘pages' overflow with training and experience that he generously shares with disabled riders. He is my ‘go-to' partner to teach lateral work, as he's always keen to show riders just what a shoulder-in or half-pass should feel like."

Tammera Bollman, TRI executive director, notes that the organization wants each participant to increase in skill, confidence, and independence through their work with the program.

"There would be no point in training toward those benchmarks if we did not have horses that demanded the same qualities," says Bollman. "Spin Doctor is that horse. Riding Spin is an achievement for the kids and adults with disabilities that train here, and that makes him a superhero."

In addition to his work with their para-dressage program, Spin also shines during TRI's adaptive horsemanship classes and various community events, where his elegance and good looks always draw attention.

"Riders with disabilities thrive when they have access to quality horses, and we are forever grateful to Kathy and Paul Smoke for sharing Spin Doctor with us," says Beyer.