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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The Bank President is On Vacation at the Spa
“Banker” (Bank President)is doing very well and seems really happy to be here. He enjoys languishing in his stall then going out and rolling in the dirt.
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Baileysontherocks – Rockin Update
It’s been a full year since we met at the hunter pace in Kingston! Where did the year go?!? It was great meeting you and the Bits & Bytes family and I hope we’ll see you again in 2009.
It’s been a fun past year with Bailey. Last February he went to our first “away” show . . .
Cadence Steps Up to First Show Challenges
I am so proud of Cadence! He was a trooper…after a very rocky start. It took four people two hours to load him on the trailer, which is completely out of character for him because he usually walks right on. This was the first time he’s ever seriously challenged authority, but in the end he did get on. He just was in a very sour mood – charging, throwing his weight into people, even after lunging…finally had to have one of my trainer friends put him in his place and then he loaded. On the return home, he loaded on the second try, no problems.
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Win For Morgan Is Better Than Expected
Win For Morgan’s first Success Story: Tall and young was what I was interested in and that’s what Win For Morgan (now known as “Fitch” in the barn) was. That didn’t convince anyone that buying him was a good idea though. The whole “sight unseen” part of buying him made everyone nervous, but then again none of them had talked to Elizabeth but me. . .
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Gold’s Anatomy – Ready Set Show!
Former race horse, Gold’s Anatomy is coming along really nicely and we are taking him to his first local schooling show the end of this month – less than two months off-the-track!
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When That Little Voice Says “Do It!”…
Today was such a thrill! It’s been a week and a half. Loco and I have been working very hard in the round pen every day. They say thoroughbreds naturally tend to move forward in the pen. Not mine. We’re getting much better, but he’d really like to just look at me and follow me…
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My First Ride on Brat Maverick!
Even though all I did was walk on a lunge line I felt an amazing thrill. The most surprising thing was how calm and collected he was. Even though I had read about it on the website, there was a part of me that still finds it hard to believe. It was only after my ride was over that I thought about the fact that I had just ridden a former race horse. Oh my gosh, what a an amazing experience.
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Midtown Manhattan’s First Ride with New Mom, Katie
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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TK’s Turn Wins Blue at First Dressage Show!
Hey E and B, TK (TK’s Turn) and I got first place in our dressage test class! Granted, there were only two of us in it, but still! We did Intro A and got a 63. It was only our third ride together since TK came off-the-track. Leslie and Coin Maker won their class also,…
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My First Ride on Monarch’s Reign
The last time I was on a horse was more than two years ago, so I’m not exactly an expert rider these days! Plus – and I almost hate to add this, because in retrospect it seems so silly – Monarch’s racing history gave me some reason to doubt my first ride would be a smooth one. After all, he had raced twice in his short career, and he’d lost his jockey BOTH TIMES!
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Lovers Quarrel Loves Peppermints, Jumping and His New Career and Home!
Just a note to tell you how much we love this new boy – he constantly amazes us with how level headed and sweet he is. Took him out today to the ring and he surprised me that he knew how to longe already! After a bit of W/T/C each direction I then proceeded to…
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Carrie Rides Again!
Here are some photos of Carrie and Shu—finally the circle is really complete!…Some of them are a bit blurry—but the essence of a rider on a horse—after all these years and in spite of all infirmities…still shows thru—some things just defy every attempt to have their light snuffed out—here is one.
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