OTTB Success Stories

Posts Tagged ‘Gymnastics’

Hi Elizabeth,

Hope your travels went well. Glad to here Dakota’s brother, Brat Maverick, has a new home. I hope to see him sometime.

I’m again enjoying this lovely weather! Da’ Boyz (Dakota Spirit & Chilletecaux) are coming along great! This past week and this week they graduated to gymnastics (three jumps on the one stride) and cantering simple lines. They both LOVE IT!! The dressage is coming too. Of course we all think the jumping is more fun…
My husband, Slim, is a superstar at setting jumps! He walks distance and sets poles perfectly – how lucky am I ?? My step-daughter, Desiree helps me change horses and rides some after I school them on weekends.

Dakota Spirit and Chilletecaux have a new horse trailer.

I’ve ordered the truck. It should be here around Thanksgiving – I’m getting antsy to get them out to play. We’ve gotten bored with the trails at home. Still there’s plenty to work on and we’re having a good time!
Hope everything is going great with you and your crew.

-J

Off-the-track Thoroughbred, Chilletecaux and his owner/trainer Jane Chance

Wow, this weather is so wonderful! The boyz (Chilletecaux and Dakota Spirit) have been doing so well. Nancy (the older Ms. Lane) came out to watch both horses go which is great for me given she is such a good ground person. She reminded me not to let Chille get me leading with my body, to keep open to help him stay slower. So easy without someone on the ground and she has such a good eye.

Also on the other hand to try not to help Dakota and let him find his feet. So funny to ride the ‘day dreamer’ to the jumps and feel the surprise when his mind has wondered. Nancy could tell Slim where to place poles as we went – THANKS Slim!

Started little verticles this week and the tiny outside line. So easy for both horses. Went for a short trail ride thru the woods behind the barn – first time it’s been dry enough lately. Can’t wait for my truck to get here… we have plans!

Talk to you soon,
Jane

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Thank you again for a great lesson this morning…it was the perfect way to celebrate my 2-year anniversary with Stevie Loverboy.  It seems like yesterday I showed up at Bits & Bytes to see my very first horse for the very first time…praying that even though he didn’t pass his vet check, with enough love and patience, we could have a lifelong partnership.  Well, it has certainly been worth every bit of effort and, good Lord willing, “Loverboy” and I will be together for a very long time.  He is just like the other 3 boys in my life, strong-willed and stubborn…and I wouldn’t have any other way!

The past year I have really seen the trust deepen between us.  It is truly an awesome feeling to know that such a huge, powerful, beautiful animal is so willing to give everything he has to you and only ask for love in return.  The experience of owning an OTTB definitely makes my “Top 10 List of Best Things in My Life” and I encourage everyone to give these amazing athletes a chance to become their partner.  Once you win their hearts, there are no limits.  I look forward to all the things I still have to learn from “Loverboy” and I continue to be thankful every day to you for making this journey possible for me in the first place.  It is one awesome ride and I hope it never ends!

As Always…with a very grateful heart,

Stevie Loverboy had gotten cast in his stall at the race track and he was muscle sore and could not pass the vet check. We knew his history and even though the vet could not promise he would be sound, he did not see any reason why he should not be sound – given the time to heal. Missy took a chance and did chiropractic and therapy to help Loverboy heal. He was a free Bargain Barn horse. She got the bargain of her life! Stevie Loverboy is now learning to jump and he has been on hunter paces and trail rides. We are very proud of this pair!

Hollywood Vic and Bubba also celebrated their birthdays (January 1st) with a game day at Bits & Bytes Farm. All Thoroughbreds are officially one year older on January 1st each year. Click on this image to see more photos of Hollywood Vic in his photo gallery.

My last Hollywood Vic update included Halloween photos, so I know it has been too long!

Here we are in January, one month away from a very special anniversary for my Hollywood Vic and I..one year on February 10th. He is bigger, stronger, sweeter (if that is possible) and into his 5th year of life!

Since our last update, we have had many lessons with Elizabeth on Sunday mornings and have made amazing progress. Every time we ride now, we go in the woods after our arena workout. We have jumped some of the (small) logs with no problem. “Hollywood” did fine, I may need some work on form..but he is willing and always does what I ask.

We made so much progress that in December we went on our first “solo” trail ride, just the two of us! What fun. I could tell he was a little confused at first, “Where are all of my horse friends?” “Mom, you mean I have to be the leader?” He adjusted, we had a blast. I love riding with all the friends at Bits & Bytes Farm but that one on one time is very special for us. A great way to clear the cobwebs from your brain! Read the rest of this entry »

Just wanted to give you a quick update on Titania. We decided to call her “Ana” for short, Titania became a bit of a mouthful after a day or so. She has started her training, I got on her last Saturday, November 22. She was excellent! She was a little up, but then she settled right in and now we are able to go out and walk, trot, canter, and go over poles and cavelettis! She seems to really enjoy her work, even on days when shes a bit up on the ground, during her ride she is always calm and relaxed.

Michelle