First OTTB Success Stories for

For a new off-the-track Thoroughbred owner there are lots of "Firsts". First Ride, First Show, First Canter or even their First Success Story posted to this site. If you are wondering what it is like to own and ride your own OTTB, read these stories from our buyers about their "Firsts". 

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Some Great Firsts

Mar 7, 2009

I can now say that my high-strung, drama queen Thoroughbred is calmer than a wild burro! Wanting to introduce Aly to his supposed to be future pasture buddy, the burro,Junior, I held Aly’s halter in the big pasture, while my dad held the burro; I walked up to them, Aly was pretty calm, eager to reach out and meet the burro, the burro was very stolid and looked suspicious, as soon as Aly reached out to touch noses and say hi, the burro wheeled around and freaked out; dad got him calmed down and we tried again several times. Then, Aly being quite laid back through all the ruckus, moved forward again, this time just to munch a piece of grass off the ground, as he did he hit a piece of the siding on the shop and it set the burro off like an explosive! he started backing up and pulling my dad across the pasture Aly, on a medium longish lead, just turned slowly, but interestedly around, as if to say, “wow this is entertaining, what is that crazy animal getting himself worked up about??” Seriously, Aly’s attitude really seemed like that, his eye was relaxed, head down, leg cocked, and totally at ease, in a pasture that, even in a halter, he was freaking out in the day before. I was very proud of my boy.

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First Ride on Whos Cindy Sue

Sep 4, 2009

Who’s Cindy Sue was very good…she quickly relaxed and we were able to walk and trot around the ring smoothly!

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Great Games arrives in the dark of night

Great Game Arrives

Nov 4, 2011

From the cold dark depths of the Bangor Maine night….with the chill 38 degree wind blowing on a night as dark as dark—only a half moon shining feebly high in the sky—–a trailer pulls in. . . Great Game has arrived!

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Chilletecaux – SOLD!

Jul 31, 2009

Chilletecaux was a Bits & Bytes Farm Prospect Horse For Sale when he was purchased by Jane Chance of Locust Grove, GA. Watch to see her train Chilletecaux for his new career as an eventor.

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A Success Story

Jul 11, 2011

My wife has a degenerative brain disease that is ultimately terminal, and my son is home schooled and takes on tons of responsibility–way beyond his 13 years. I and my wife both had ridden for the better part of 30 years and had excellent training…but had abandoned our own personal riding when we had a child. After all—finances and time frequently just don’t stretch to cover children and pets like horses. We found ourselves however looking for a way to give my son an outlet away from the house and the pressure of our situation at home he lived, ate, and breathed….so I did what we always used to do—took him to a riding stable and got him lessons. . .

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Trail Riding Triple Lindy

Jan 19, 2010

Lindy and I took our first of many long trail rides cross country. I’m guessing it may have been a first for her since she looked at everything. We rode up and down the hills, through the fields and on the trails through woods for about two hours. It was wonderful!!! She was very brave and very honest– no silly or thoughtless moves 🙂 Lindy learned about stepping over logs and by the end of our ride she was a pro.

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Midtown Manhattan’s First Ride with New Mom, Katie

May 27, 2008

I rode Mattie for the first time today. She was great. We worked in the ring for a little while and then my trainer and I took her for a walk down our street (that’s like a trail ride for us considering were just outside of Fort Lauderdale). She was awesome!!! I expected that she…

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Da’boys – Chilletecaux and Dakota Spirit Check In

Sep 2, 2009

Jane Chance starts training her two new off-the-track Thoroughbreds Chilletecaux and Dakota Spirit for eventing.

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Bato Loco es Mucho Terrific!

Oct 17, 2008

Loco is coming along great. I am at the barn at least five days each week; two days round pen, three days ride. We’ve made a lot of progress. Loco stands perfectly still at the mounting block for me and comes in from the pasture when I call him. He has really “gotten it” in…

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Nothing Scary as Ghost Quietly Canters

Oct 19, 2008

Cantered Casper today, both ways of the arena! He’s a little unbalanced, but has a delightful, “up” canter and is quiet, quiet, quiet. He is absolutely fabulous. Lesli

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Nothin’ Much Rattles “Huey’s” Chain

Feb 5, 2009

Wanted to send some quick pictures we took over the weekend of “Huey” aka Admiration, since I’ve been promising them forever. This canter is the first time we’ve really cantered – I’ve let him gallop some just to get some energy out, but this time he actually sat back and collected. It was wonderful! As…

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Brother Ron Settles In at Home

Nov 25, 2010

Brother Ron settled in so well at his new home.  He is a nice paddock by himself for now so that he can have all the hay he wants, but also has his friends right on the other side of the fence.  He let the other horses push him around, being the sweet boy he…

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