OTTB Success Stories

Archive for the ‘B&B Success Stories’ Category

Just wanted to let you know that Molly has started working with her trainer to teach Antioch to jump! He is doing fabulous so far, very willing. We moved our little group of friends to a private home/boarding location which has worked out so well. It is the four of us (our friends and their horses and our trainer). We have a great lighted arena and a beautiful barn and the horses get pasture turn out three days a week! Antioch is so happy! He has filled out and is just beautiful.

K O River Crossing with mom, Loui Padgett. Click on the image to go to K O River Crossing's photo album. He was a 2007 Prospect Horse for sale on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site.

After a very busy summer with little time to focus on relaxing and riding, it was great to get out today and do just that. I did not have an agenda and was happy to take the time to tack up and slowly enjoy being with my horse.

When I arrived and walked down the barn and called to K O River Crossing, as usual, his head came out of the stall and he became so animated, tossing his halter and talking away. This started a very relaxed and fun day.

We began in the arena with some ground work, where River has made tremendous progress (thanks to you, Barry and Daryleen). He worked so well off voice commands today and moved beautifully. We followed this up by a great ride, working on several dressage patterns. Cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed seeing River progress as a dressage horse and look forward to both of us improving even more over time.

Thanks for taking such great care of my “Guy”.
Loui

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Brett and I went to our first A show this weekend. Blistering heat–105 degrees.  He was wonderful, and we got a nice ribbon in the equitation over fences class.

Judi

Molly and Antioch after just four months have built a bond and trust between them that could never be matched if she had purchased a ‘made’ horse. Starting a young horse or an off-the-track Thoroughbred takes time and dedication. Most teenage girls just want to be showing and winning ribbons not spending time training a horse. Molly is different, she is enjoying the training process and is taking the time to do all the little steps that will allow her to bond with Anitoch and they will become partners. Watch this video of Molly and Antioch and see how doing ground work and spending time has paid off with a special bond. Great work Molly.

Molly purchased Antioch after her friend Laura purchased Gold’s Anatomy. Read Gold Anatomy’s Success Stories too.

Amanda and Allegiant are another young team. Both Amanda and Laura are using YouTube to document the training of their Thoroughbreds. This is a wonderful way for us to see first hand the bond that is being created during the training. It also shows how to have fun while teaching these horses important basics like despooking them and teaching them not to panic if a rope is wrapped around a leg. It does not take a fancy arena or an expensive trainer but it does take love and dedication which these girls demonstrate so well in their videos.

Amanda and Allegiant videos:

See more of Allegiant’s Success Stories.

Amanda and Allegiant have come a long way in one year. Thank you Amanda for showing us what can be done with a little love and a lot of hard work. We are very proud of this young pair. Read more of Allegiant’s Success Stories.

Hi Elizabeth,
Hope your summer is going well and all is good with you and yours. It’s been a while and I wanted to update you on what Golds Anatomy (his stable name is now “Riley”) and Laura are doing these days. Riley came to us May of last year (2009) and the first weekend of June this year (2010) Laura took him to his first recognized Area X Horse Trials. In spite of a few glitches in stadium they earned second place in Jr. Beginner Novice!

See more photos in Golds Anatomy’s new Photo Album.
Read more of Gold Anatomy’s Success Stories.

Laura had a blast and it turns out that “Riley’s” favorite thing is x-country. He is not afraid of anything (oh wait, a little iffy with water. This is Arizona after all) and acts like he’s been doing it all his life. The dressage rings were actually on a race track and he didn’t bat an eye. I think this is what he wants to do. Riley and Laura are becoming a solid team and she just loves him.

They are going to another event this weekend, wish them luck!

Leslie Hempleman

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Golds Anatomy was a Bits & Bytes Farm Prospect Horse For Sale directly from the race track in February 2009.

“Ping” loves grass and turnout. I’m placing him because I work at a summer camp and have a nine year-old daughter and I think should “step down” in my horses for now. I would like to have something I can compete, but also can take to camp, go on trails with my daughter etc. “Ping” is a great guy, but is not yet a bombproof mount.

A good home is a must, and I am flexible with money for the perfect fit. Shelby’s Hill is located in Maine.

See Shelby’s Hill’s impressive pedigree and Success Stories and the newest Shelby’s Hill Success Stories.

Thanks!
Sarah

Contact Sarah Farnham for more information
207-649-5379 or 207-877-9181 after 7/17
or by e-mail: frogpondfarm@gmail.com

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Good Morning!
I have good news about Titania aka “Ana”! She is fat and happy enjoying life up in Leesburg, VA. I went to visit her a few weeks ago, and she was happy as a clam! She is nice and round, and even had to be put on a diet! She is being taken out for clinics and, hopefully, her first show soon. Her owners are very happy with her, and she seems happy with them!
Hope all is well!
Michelle

Hi Elizabeth and Barry,

I have an exciting update on Grayboo and Amanda. They completed their first Preliminary Horse Trial at Poplar Place a week and a half ago and had a great run. They had a dressage score of 39 – not bad for their first attempt at this level and then proceeded to jump a clean stadium round. The course was not ideal for Grayboo – it was very spread out and gave Grayboo a chance to build speed from jump to jump, but Amanda managed to get him around OK (that and he absolutely can’t stand to touch a jump). Grayboo was an absolute super star on cross country – he jumped clean and Amanda finished 7 seconds over the optimum time, so added 2.8 penalties to their dressage score. I was surprised that Amanda was able to finish close to time her first time out. They finished 10^th in a large Open Prelim division of 24.  5 of the 9 horses that beat her were ridden by: Jonathan Hollings, Werner Geven, and Becky Holder. Not bad company to finish behind. Amanda had a blast and can’t wait to do her next prelim – most likely at River Glen in August.

Amanda has taken cross country lessons with Werner Geven at Poplar. Werner loves Grayboo – he says he is a super talented horse (but we knew that already!). Grayboo is extremely smart and careful on cross country – he always knows where to put his feet.

I bought all of the digital pictures from the show but have not received them yet. I will send you some photos when I get them. In the meantime, if you follow the link from the Poplar Place Website for the June show, you can look at the pictures on the website.

That’s all for now.  I’ll let you know how things go over the summer and fall shows.

Karen