OTTB Success Stories

Archive for the ‘KO River Crossing’ Category

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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Brat Maverick and his breeder Debbie Piepmeyer.

I am the breeder of Dakota Spirit and Brat Maverick’s. After the passing of my horse trainer I no longer wished to race anymore and needed to find my “boys” a loving home. Elizabeth had already found a great home for KO River Crossing with Loui Padgett so I knew she could find a home for them too. In August she found a home for Dakota Spirit with Jane Chance in Locust Grove, GA. In October she found a home for Brat Maverick with Jodi Penn in Peachtree City, GA. (Read Jodi’s and Brat Maverick Success Stories.)

Dakota Spirit sticks out his tongue at his breeder Debbie Piepmeyer.

I had vacation after Christmas and asked Elizabeth if I could come down to visit. She gladly accepted and on December 27th Barry, Elizabeth and I took a tour down to see my boys. Both horses have loving mom’s and I know they are very happy. Elizabeth took many pictures of me with my boys, and if it looks like I was crying in some of the pictures I was – but these were tears of joy!!! I am so thankful for Elizabeth, Jodi and Jane – I know my boys will have great homes for the rest of their lives. Words cannot express my thanks to all of you.

I met some wonderful people while visiting Bits & Bytes Farm and have seen how their lives have been changed since owning their own horse.

God bless Elizabeth and her dedication to finding homes for all the OTTB’s.  She is truly an angel!!!!

-Debbie Piepmeyer

See Brat Maverick’s and Dakota Spirit photo galleries under the Photo Galleries & Albums menu at the top.

Debbie bred Dakota Spirit and Brat Maverick on her own small farm in Ohio. She was also the owner of KO River Crossing when he was a race horse. She trained these horses for racing and taught the babies to be handled and load into trailer. She was a hands on breeder and her love shows in the temperaments of these fine Thoroughbreds. Dakota Spirit never made it to racing before his trainer passed away unexpectedly but he had a great start and was trained to race. He will now have a chance to become a successful 3-day event horse with his new mom Jane Chance who is an advanced event rider herself. Brat Maverick was a successful race horse before moving to Georgia to become a sport horse. He has the movement to be  a potential dressage star or event horse like his little brother if Jodi chooses to do that. Whatever they achieve in life after the track, the important thing is that they are loved and being enjoyed. They do not have to go on to greatness to please his trainer or anyone else. They just need to be loved and there is no doubt that they are.

See photos of Debbie’s visit with Brat Maverick and Dakota Spirit.

Brat Maverick meets his new mom Jodi Penn!

Brat Maverick aka former Prospect Horse -”Maverick” has arrived at Bits & Bytes Farm to meet his new mom Jodi Penn. We took a tour of Kentucky and Ohio to see the fall foliage and to pick up Brat Maverick. It was a whirlwind weekend of fun.

Brat Maverick met his new mom today!

Be sure to check out the photos of their first meeting.

Brat Maverick’s old pasture mate was KO River Crossing and his mom Loui Padgett took care of the farm while we picked up Maverick. Here is what Loui had to say about Brat Maverick making it to our farm. — Elizabeth

“I enjoyed my weekend at Bits & Bytes taking care of everyone while you and Barry picked up River’s previous pasture mate, Maverick (River did as well). It was great to see them together when you arrived. It was also obvious River rememberd his  buddy.”

KO River Crossing reunites with Brat Maverick!

“Jodi and I went through similar journeys to find our horses and I must say. I am so glad Maverick found such a great Mom. I love my “Guy” and it is quite obvious when I arrive at the barn, he knows I am there.”

“In the 2+ years that River has been at Bits & Bytes Farm, I haved learned so much and appreciate all you and Barry do for the horses.”

“Thanks for taking care of the OTTB’s. They are a very special breed.”

– Loui

OTTB K O River Crossing rides English and Western. He will do anything to please his mom Loui. Click on this image to see more photos of "River".

It was great to get out and ride this weekend for the first time in weeks. Between the holidays, rain and work, riding time has been very limited. River (K O River Crossing) was awesome. To think that he has had only two days of ground work and two of riding in almost two months, he was so laid back and taking everything in without missing a stride. What a great day and an enjoyable ride. Considering the colder weather and the fact they had been in the barn for a few days, was even more amazing.

What a great horse I have. He had already been put through several sessions with my new Wintec saddle, which was followed by this English-Cowgirl tacking her thoroughbred up Western (several times) and slow trotting for almost an hour around the arena (and he loved it) I put my new Collegiate saddle on this past weekend and was back to trotting/posting, etc. He is so adaptable and willing has gone for everything and just “Moved On”.

Thanks for all you do with my “Guy” and all the others you find homes for.

Loui & Kristen

OTTB KO River Crossing and mom Loui celebrate their year together. See more photos in K O River Crossing's Photo Gallery.

I have been meaning to send an update on River and today seem to be an appropriate one. One year ago today I became River’s Mom, with him arriving at Bits & Bytes directly from his racing career. It has been an interesting and educating year to say the least. Having bought my “Guy” sight unseen, he is an incredibly beautiful animal with so much personality. He is as demanding and opinionated as his mom. Thank you both for all the help and direction you have given in his transition from the track. I also thank you for taking my ten year old daughter, Kristen, under your wing and giving her so much direction as well as having her spend sleep over time while attending a nearby horse camp. She loves her time at Bit & Bytes Farm and has enjoyed riding my OTTB on a regular basis.

Everyone has fun helping with the chores at Bits and Bytes Farm! Kristen and her friend Ashlyn are cleaning out the feed buckets. Photo by Jay Boatwright of Smaxtart.

Elizabeth’s Note: We have had the pleasure of watching Loui and K O River Crossing learn and grow together. Please take the time to look at the photos below and see all that they accomplished together in just one short year. They have had fun “decorating” for Christmas and they have been on a hunter pace – both Loui and “River” are learning to jump. Loui had not ridden for many years before purchasing K O River Crossing as a Prospect Horse For Sale – sight unseen. We first met Loui when she decided that K O River Crossing was to be her “Guy”. We are blessed that they board here at our farm and have become good friends. Even Loui’s daughter Kristen is now starting to ride “River”. Loui, Kristen and “River” are an important part of Bits & Bytes Farm. How did we ever get by before Louie’s muffins!

River, Loui and Kristen have had a busy year at Bits & Bytes Farm. Click here to read their past success stories.

See more photos in K O River Crossing’s Photo Gallery.