A Good Combination

re: A Good Combination

Cassandra.Says — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:45:24 GMT

I've never understood how warm-blood enthusiasts can claim more "scope" than the breed that jumps the Grand National Course.

One was commenting during a TV show at the moment a warmblood, out of thin air, dropped a leg straight down in the middle of a spread jump. He didn't get that little trick from the hot side of his pedigree!

re: A Good Combination

Lance — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:12:46 GMT

Let me begin by agreeing 100% with what you heard in that OTTBs, actually any horse with significant TB blood in them in my opinion, are amazing athletes that are perfectly suited to the sport of eventing. I can't think of a breed with more heart to go with their innate athleticism than TBs. Giving these horses an new career is a wonderful thing. Love the OTTB in the video!

As far as your grooming experience goes, I commend you for going out and getting involved in the sport. Most people are not aware of the little things involved with getting a horse and rider ready for a show. Regarding your “commentary”, everyone has to start somewhere and it sounded like you had a helpful person nearby. I’m guessing you learned a lot!

re: A Good Combination

TBDancer — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:42:34 GMT

Good column, Adam!! I too am a fan of OTTBs, and the more people see and read about what wonderful candidates TBs are for second careers, the better for them and the better for racing.

I've owned "Huey" aka "Echo Dancer" (Eastern Echo x Cherry Lady/Bold Lad) since 1998. Chris McCarron rode him to his first win (Del Mar, August 1997). Huey was retired about six months later because he had breathing issues. After giving him down time and figuring out all his buttons, we have done a bit of dressage and a lot of trail riding.

TBs have such good hearts and are full of "try." Once they have been retrained, their career paths are almost endless. The trust between the OTTB and the owner/rider is a beautiful gift, and watching the ex-racer perform at its second career is, as you say, "uplifting."

Thank you again for the column today.