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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Gold’s Anatomy – Ready Set Show!

May 21, 2009

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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Voted Off: Off-the-Track in 2006 Update 2011

Nov 29, 2011

It’s been years since I sent you an update, but I thought you might like to know how Voted Off is doing. His primary job has been as my husband’s trail horse for the last 5 years. About six months ago, my 6 year old daughter started riding him too. You might remember a picture of her you posted on your web site on her rocking horse when she was 2. Well, she has swapped out the rocking horse for Voted Off.

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Cadence Steps Up to First Show Challenges

May 22, 2008

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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Punch is a Knock Out!

Apr 10, 2009

We rode him for the first time the third day he was here and he was great! He’s very calm about everything and we walked and trotted around for a while. Yesterday he went on his first trail ride with our other gelding around our property and he really enjoyed it.

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Always a Thrill – Another Former OTTB’s First Canter

Oct 5, 2008

We cantered for the first time today! I was inspired watching “Hollywood” and his mom, Cherie, as they cantered for the first time, they looked so happy working together. Bubs and I just had to try it. We needed the lunge line to get there but with Elizabeth’s encouragement, Bubba went forward like a champ.…

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More Firsts! Canter, Trail Ride, Jump

Feb 26, 2009

I didn’t expect that we would canter so soon, but I was really excited, and I know I was extremely tensed up and I could tell Aly was being a bit pushy for one of the first times since I’ve seen him, when we were trotting on the longe line, waiting for me to be ready. It was so incredible for me to see how after we got into that first canter, how he calmed down, back to the business-like, happy boy that he is. He KNEW that we were ready to step up to the next level, and he didn’t want any backing out on my part!

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Hollywood Vic and Cheri’s First Canter is Thrilling!

Oct 6, 2008

Sunday has gone down as one of the best days of my life! This was the first day I cantered on my beautiful OTTB, Hollywood Vic! Last week I wrote that I have been working on balance. The work has finally paid off with Hollywood and Elizabeth’s’ patience, we cantered today for the very first…

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Water Jumps and Logs – No Problem!

Oct 11, 2010

Antioch learns to jump cross-country fences.

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Cab - August 2012

Seven Years – 75 Races!

Aug 22, 2012

My vet says that this is the kind of racehorse that should be bred, since after 7years of racing, 75+ races he still has the legs of a healthy horse. My only regret is that I didn’t buy him sooner.

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Whos Cindy Sue is Home!

Jul 19, 2009

I am very excited to report that Who’s Cindy Sue has finally arrived to her new home in Connecticut. She marched right off the trailer like a proud filly and immediately stood like a lady for pictures! She arrived safely, healthy and in good spirits. In no time, she found her hay and water in her paddock and began introducing herself to her neighboring ponies!

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Breaking Free one week off-the-track

One Week Update for “Freeby”

Apr 26, 2013

Breaking Free aka “Freeby” has come along so quickly already. He is straighter, more confirmed in the connection, and the canter improves each ride in terms of balance and we almost have a proper transition already. He is also hacking out and trotting ground poles and exercises in my field at home.

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Baileysontherocks – Rockin Update

Mar 3, 2009

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 . . .

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