OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

GunBow — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 21:15:24 GMT

I'm with Kyri, a little surprised that Liberian Freighter would transition so successfully to jumping/hunting/showing.

To say the least, his racetrack persona was unique. He hated the starting gate and would refuse to load for 5 to 10 minutes. One time, he wouldn't even walk up towards the gate, and watching it live I thought he was a few seconds from being forced to scratch; he ran but he delayed the start 5 or 10 minutes.

After that, the gate crews were more prepared. After the post parade, they would take Freighter quickly up near the gate, sometimes with little if any warm up. They started the process earlier, would get Freighter up near the gate, where he would stand like a statue, staring at the gate but keeping a distance from it. He would balk, and push away from the gate, but with a 10 minute head start they were able to time it so when he finally gave in and loaded the rest of the field was also loading. It was always an adventure.

Freigher was also unique in that he had very short gallop-outs after a race. Even when he won, he was usually first one back to be unsaddled. The only recent horse I've seen with such a short gallop out routine is Comma to the Top.

Not only was Freighter a character, but he has a very interesting build, being extremely tall yet narrow; I guess falling into the definition of a "fish".

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Catherine Magnuson — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:47:07 GMT

Love that Stone Cold Angel is out of a Northern Baby mare. Many of the Northern Baby offspring were good jumpers and good steeplechasers :) So were some of the Seattle Slew offspring.

Looking forward to hearing more about the show careers of both Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter :)

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Kyri — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:58:06 GMT

I'm amazed that the quirky, super-speedy Liberian Freighter could be retrained as a hunter! It just goes to show how good these horses really are.

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Flora — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:06:16 GMT

This is a great story - Liberian Freighter was one of my favorite horses over the years, so it's good to know that he is doing well! And the Stone Cold Angel story shows that Thoroughbreds of any level of quality can do good things off the track.

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

lifelongracefan — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:39:39 GMT

"When you hear people speak of their horse using 'he' or 'she,' it tells a lot about the love they have for their animal," Hardin said."

REALLY?!

I have respect for Kristin in the Hunter Jumper world, but... REALLY?!

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Macoche — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:30:10 GMT

Ah, another great OTTB story - can't get enough of them!

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Linda in Texas — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 05:06:38 GMT

Liberian Freighter - i wondered what happened to him. Sometimes i am afraid to ask. He looks mahvelous jumping. Such a big handsome regal looking fella.

Such good suggestions to give these wonderful horses a second career.

Everyone involved should be proud.

Thank you from a horse lover from way back.

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Rachel Masen — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:09:30 GMT

Great job with the show Nicole. Yay Neigh Savers and CARMA!

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Wrensflight — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:03:21 GMT

I can't agree with you more, TripleCrownKaren. When I was riding hunters they were all Thoroughbreds, including the field hunters used for fox hunting (no foxes were killed; we just ran around in the woods having a good time). And in terms of eventing, I don't think there are many warmbloods who can compete with a Thoroughbred in the cross-country phase.

I think your idea of expanding the focus of sales to both race and show prospects is excellent. There are so many well-bred, talented horses out there whose expertise is to be found somewhere off the racetrack.

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

Alicia McQuilkin — Fri, 31 May 2013 16:51:02 GMT

I think it's really incredible that they're making this show series reasonably low-cost!! That coupled with the opportunity for Western and fun classes like egg-and-spoon might really change a lot of peoples' views on the Thoroughbred more than just the typical dressage and jumping shows would. It may even open up some parents to looking to OTTBs for their teenagers for a 4-H/FFA project. It would present a great opportunity for a lot of youth who may not be able to afford a regular trainer and to go to elite shows every weekend. An OTTB would be an incredible learning experience for a young horse person and a great challenge to their work ethic and their horsemanship skills. It's great that the organizers have opened up another market and given a lot of horse lovers the chance to let their horse get a little limelight!

re: OTTB Spotlights: Stone Cold Angel and Liberian Freighter

TripleCrownKaren — Fri, 31 May 2013 14:46:10 GMT

As a rider who grew up with OTTB's as the major source of our barn's show horses, I think it is WAAAAY past time to get these valuable and competitive hroses BACk to our show rings and dispense with the Warmbloods who, generally are out of reach in price, and not the right choice for the majority of Amateur riders. I also would like to get in touch with some movers & shakers in the TB world to see about my idea of having a concurrent Sport Horse sale along with some of the existing TB sales that occur all over the country. If a horse doesn't sell in the "racing prospect" section of the sale, they could be entered into the next sale as a SHOW prospect. This would give those horses who are not at "pre-coscious as the "racing market wants" to at least have a chance as a show horse!

As a freelance writer, I did an article on getting BACK to the use of OTTB's in the show ring. If you get a chance please go to www.equitrekking.com/.../ottb_thoroughbred_uset