Junior Hunter rider Abigail Gass and Raines Gammon, competing in the Thoroughbred Jumpers, have earned the 2025 TAKE2 Junior Rider Award, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), in their respective divisions.
“We are proud to celebrate the TAKE2 Junior Rider Champions, Abigail and Raines, and their remarkable partnerships with their Thoroughbreds,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “TAKE2 highlights the versatility and athleticism of Thoroughbreds, while empowering young riders to reach their goals. We are honored to recognize the achievements of these outstanding teams.”
Gass, the regular rider of 13-year-old Quiet Prospector, led all Junior Hunters with 1148 points. The 17-year-old Oklahoma native also finished fifth overall in the 2025 TAKE2 Thoroughbred League Hunter Standings.
“It’s been an amazing year,” said Gass. “He’s just a solid horse. Every time we walk into the ring, he puts his game face on and shows up. We’ve been a great team since we’ve been paired up together.”
Bred in Oklahoma by Foggy Bottoms Stable, Quiet Prospector was winless in 10 career starts in the Midwest. The bay was campaigned by Gass’s parents, Julie and Michael Gass II.
Gass has partnered with Quiet Prospector, also known as ‘Joey’ around the barn, since the gelding’s retirement from the track in 2017.
“He was not a good racehorse at all, that was definitely not his calling,” Gass said with a laugh. “He was cross-trained, so he did the hunters and jumpers while he was racing at three and four years old. He’s been doing that since the start, so it was an easy transition when he got into the hunters because he was already doing it.”
As a daughter of two trainers, Gass’s connection to horses was an obvious one, and she began riding when she was barely four years old.
“I have ridden Thoroughbreds my whole life and they are so incredibly athletic and kind,” she explained. “They just have the biggest hearts and want to do their jobs completely.”
In 2024, Gass and Joey finished sixth in the Hunter division of the $20,000 TAKE2 Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
“We did get top six at the TAKE2 Finals last year,” she said. “Throughout the years, we’ve won medals and championships at different rated shows. We’ve won a few Derbies with him too. He’s just an amazing horse!”
Explaining the appeal of TAKE2, Gass said, “We were introduced to TAKE2 about three or four years ago. Their money classes are really great, you can get money back.”
She continued, “It’s been an amazing experience. We love TAKE2 completely. We love going to the shows that have it, and we enjoyed going to Kentucky last year, and we’re coming back this year.
“I plan to be back again next year, that would be amazing!”
With the help of veteran The Girl Next Door (registered as A P Jet Stream by The Jockey Club), Gammon also capped off the 2025 season as a divisional leader, heading the Junior Jumpers with 346 points.
“I was so surprised and elated when we found out that I had won for a second year in a row,” said Gammon. “It wasn’t ever really a goal to win leading TAKE2 Junior Rider, it kind of just happened. I try to focus on one show at a time and that so far has proven to help me succeed.”
Riding since she was seven, 15-year-old Gammon joined forces with ‘Dinky’ in October of 2023. Leased from West Coast-based Patty Arnett, the 21-year-old New York-bred mare, who stands just over 14 hands, is an unraced daughter of A.P. Jet.
“Dinky is a once in a lifetime pony,” said Gammon. “There aren’t many ponies going around this height at her age. She has so much heart and she loves her job. I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to ride and learn from her. There is a fine line between supporting her and letting her do her job. She has her quirks, but I have learned to work with them and they make her all the more unique and special.”
Gammon underscored her appreciation for finding the TAKE2 program and the progress she’s made over the past two seasons.
“I’m really grateful for TAKE2 and their sponsors for creating this amazing series that allows Thoroughbreds to have a second chance or opportunity to shine,” Gammon said. “There aren’t really any other similar divisions that are supported this well. TAKE2 is also a good stepping stone for some if they want to eventually move up to bigger jumps.”
Looking ahead to what’s next, Gammon said, “I have really outgrown Dinky. I will see if maybe my younger sister will take the reins on Dinky for next year!
“We are currently looking into a new Thoroughbred hunter,” she added. “If all goes well, we’ll want to continue to participate with TAKE2.”
Created for the 2018 season in partnership with TCA, the TAKE2 Junior Rider Award recognizes the junior riders competing on Thoroughbreds in nationwide TAKE2-affiliated Hunter and Jumper classes, with a trophy for the champion, and TAKE2/TCA saddle pads for the top five junior riders in each division.
In addition, all junior riders who are enrolled for the award and compete in TAKE2 classes are eligible for a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship grant from TAKE2. The grant can be used to pay tuition and expenses for higher education anywhere in the U.S. Individuals are eligible as TAKE2 Junior Riders until the end of the TAKE2 season in which they reach the age of 18.
