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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Fast Commander Learns Fast!

Mar 16, 2009

Congratulations! Former Thoroughbred race horse Fast Commander pins in all three of his first horse show classes with a first and two seconds! Not bad for afour year old Thoroughbred just ten months off-the-track! We are proud of both Stephanie and Fast Commander.

Shelby’s Hill – First Show

Sep 17, 2010

Our first show in August! Training 1 – 64% We are now doing First Level 1 in Oct I think!!! I did have someone contact me through your website. I’m not sure these girls have enough experience though or have the resources to keep Ping healthy. PLUS not really sure I want him to go.…

Maverick on the Move!

Mar 13, 2009

His ground manners and patience are all improving. He’s been taught to be hobbled. I only did this because he was getting to be such a handful camping and on big trail rides, I feared for his saftey and didn’t trust him not to jump to get with the herds. He struggled some, but quickly learned to calm himself. The Sunday afternoon following the Saturday that he was first hobbled it actually paid off in an unexpected way.

My First Ride on Brat Maverick!

Oct 26, 2009

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.

Riders Up! Oh, You Mean Me?

Jul 8, 2008

                      I am so pleased with Bubba and our first ride together. He is such a willing and sensible horse. Our first ride together couldn’t have been any better. Elizabeth lent us tack, which needed a bit of adjusting for Bubba who is lean from…

Win For Morgan Is Better Than Expected

Dec 9, 2012

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. . .

Water Jumps and Logs – No Problem!

Oct 11, 2010

Antioch learns to jump cross-country fences.

Construction’s Checklist: Canters (check), Crosses Creeks (check), Coups (check) and Carrots (check, check, check….)

Oct 8, 2008

“Gus” (Construction) is so incredibly happy with his new career and new home at Bits & Bytes Farm. His personality comes out more and more everyday and I absolutely adore him. He has recently perfected the art of rolling (every single inch of his body gets covered with dust) and decided he has a LOVE…

Riding Ridge

Feb 28, 2012

It has been two months since I moved Ridge to another barn, and I wanted to let you know that Ridge and I are doing great! My new barn is also located next to a lot of trails, so I am able to do trail rides with my daughter. Ridge seems to enjoy them!

TK’s Turn Wins Blue at First Dressage Show!

Dec 13, 2010

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,…

Sunny is BIG!

Sep 23, 2010

Sunny, now known as “Mr. Big (Big for short 🙂 ” due to how handsome he is and how confident he is in himself, haha, is doing really well!! I LOVE this horse, I bought him as a re-sale project but he has so much potential that it looks like I will probably end up…

Mr. Boston is OK in Oklahoma

Oct 15, 2010

Mr.Boston is fabulous!!!! Elizabeth didn’t want to go back to school!! She said that he would go and live in the dorm with her! We can’t wait to see what she does with him. For day 2 of riding him in our arena, they both look fantastic!