Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Dragonladysculptor — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:31:45 GMT

Thank you so much for the updates. While like many others I can't wait to see what Nicanor can do when he begins racing I'm also very glad that time is being taken so he can reach his full potential. While not being able to go to alot of the big tracks I do hope to see him race one day at Arlington Park -what a thrill that would be !!!

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Marigold — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:18:20 GMT

I am concerned at the expections (and pressure) placed upon Nicanor stepping into and filling Barbaro's shoes. First of all, Barbaro was a unique and gifted horse. Nicanor may be also, but he may also not repeat his brother's path. It may take a few races for him to become strong enough to take off and start making his mark. We should all continue to love him but not expect too much of him immediately. TOO MUCH PRESSURE on our beloved boy. Let's all cut him some slack.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

MVH — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:39:43 GMT

Thank you Bryce and Amanda and Mrs. Darcy and all of you who contribute and so generously share your knowledge and information. Those of you who have horses and are close to horses are so fortunate. How I wish I'd had the opportunity as a girl. I have a deep, abiding love for all animals and know that horses and I would have been a good match when I was a youngster. As a military junior, there was never an opportunity. As an adult, y husband and I moved too often (renovating houses) to be able to have horses. So, I've loved them from afar and admire their breathtaking beauty and abilities.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

horsefan — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:21:05 GMT

Such a shame that Amy Tyron and Poggio were eliminated in the second phase of the three day event. I really felt for her on that fall especially since it was to be they're last try together before Poggio retired. Poggio was bred for racing as I believe then became a pack horse before Amy found him and retrained him.

Thanks for the continued updates on Nicanor Amanda, such a rare chance to be allowed to follow a horse from so early in his career and a huge thanks to all who allow you to do so.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

MVH — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:36:46 GMT

I do remember Poggio -- beautiful horse. They all were. Thank youy Amanda. This is the BEST site.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

aduckworth — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:58:10 GMT

MVH - Two off the track Thorougbreds actually competed as members of the U.S. 3-day eventing team at this year's Olympics: Courageous Comet and Chesterstimetoofly, who has been renamed Poggio II.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Bryce Be Quick — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:33:00 GMT

MVH-- Mrs Darcy could not be more correct: off-the-track t-breds can have very successful second careers eventing. Our own 30-start guy, who has been eventing for years, loves competing at Fair Hill. His Sire, Wheatly Hall, trained by Jack Van Berg, was Gary Stevens' second try at the KY Derby back in 1986, and Bryce Be Quick was his first breeding shed effort in 1989. Check him out at http://www.pedigreequery.com/

Just type in Bryce Be Quick once you get to the site-- also a link to a YouTube tribute there as well.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Mr. Bill — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:22:57 GMT

I hope that Nicanor is on the trails where there are no Mt. Bikers. Being one myself and often riding at Fair Hill, I know how disruptive a bike can be to horses. By the way whenever we see horses on the trail we ALWAYS pull off the trail an wait for them to pass and we always get a thank you. I hope this beautiful animal gets a race in at Delaware Park soon.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

MVH — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:05:37 GMT

Mrs. Darcy, THANK YOu for the comprehensive information! I shall print it out and keep it! I am blown away by the skills required and vividly remember watching one horse balk at the piaffe last week. These animals are amazing and I kept exhorting each rider to pat his horse and praise him or her for his or her efforts. Thank you again.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Eryn — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:44:10 GMT

When and were do you think he will have his first start?

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Sam Anderer — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:47:19 GMT

A long time ago, I learned that Thoroughbreds were born with all the speed they would ever have, and that the answer to the questions concerning racing and or performance was one of training, and the techniques thereof.

Trail riding, and cross country jaunts,(up and down hills) builds stamina, strength, wind etc. There is only so much that can be accomplished on a track. Out in the open, the horse will learn to be bridlewise and accept a light contact with the bit and his riders hands, and listen to his rider.

I would like to know how his respiration and pulse recovery rates are coming along. As it takes more and more work to increase his respiration and pulse rates, it will also take less and less time for them to return to normal at rest or in a brisk walk. The increased "education" won't hurt him either, nor the "manners". Has he learned to stand quietly to be mounted? Does his training include figure eights, large flat loops, some transition work? Considering Mr. Matz's background, just how much "handle" does he put on his horses?

I am delighted that we are being given a glimpse into the development of a Thoroughbred.

To all Nicanor's connections, God bless you.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Mrs. Malcolm Darcy — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:21:57 GMT

MVH -

There are three Olympic equestrian events:

1) eventing

2) dressage

3) show jumping

Show Jumpers only jump in competition. It is objective. The jumps knock down. Penalty points are given for knock downs, refusals, and run outs. They jump about 4'9" - 5'7" high to about 6' wide (water jumps with no height can be at least 13 1/2 feet wide). They are given medals for a team competition and an individual competition.

Dressage has no jumping. It is performed in a 20x60 arena with a low fence around it with letters at evenly spaced intervals (always in the same spots). The riders must memorize a test. The tests they use in the Olympics are Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Special, and the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music (also known as a Kur - German word). At the Grand Prix level, dressage horses do not jump in competition and generally do not jump in training, although some may have jumped as young ones when owners were trying figure out their strengths. The Grand Prix test includes highly difficult skills which take years of strengthening and training on both the rider's and the horse's part. Some of these are piaffe (trot in place), passage (highly collected trot that seems to stop for a moment in air), trot extention (lengthening the trot stride w/o going faster), and the canter pirouette (collected canter in a circle around horse's back legs, nearly in place).

Eventing. The heart of eventing occurs on the second day of the competiton: cross country. They gallop 8-12 miles jumping 30-40 obstacles that don't fall down mostly built of wood. They are also drop fences, water fences (to go through, not over), ditches sometimes with water (to go over, not through). At the highest levels the jumps are generally themed and beautiful built and/or carved. They are becoming safter as technology and safety awareness increases and they can build solid jumps that do give in case of the accident. These are highly spirited, conditioned horses - very much "on the muscle" not unlike a steeplechase or flat racing horse. That makes dressage, controlled test of manners, submission to the rider's aids, obedience all the more difficult. The test is about 4 levels easier than the Grand Prix test, but is very hard to contain these highly tuned athletes and keep them concentrating on staying withing themselves and not having a "blow up" which they sometimes do. Again, the second day, they have cross country where jumping ability and stamina come into play. On the third day, the horses show jump. They do a course of fences in a ring that knock down. It sounds easy but the horses are generally tired and they have gone from very large wooden objects which do not move, to light wooden poles which role out of their holders (at the slightest tough). The trick is getting a horse that is bold and brave enough for cross-country, but careful enough not to knock down the rails in show jumping. Cross country jumps are up to 3'11" but can be quite wide required scope, or tricky and the face of the jump very narrow requiring accuracy. Show jumping fences can go up to 4'3".

In eventing, dressage is subjective and score are converted to penalty points (lower the better), penalty points can be accrued on XC day via refusals/run outs and finishing over the time allowed, and penalty points can be accrued in show jumping for knockdowns/refusals/run outs.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

By the way, off the track thoroughbreds often make great eventers!

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Kris — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:52:14 GMT

WOW! 16 hands! Nicanor's getting big! Yes, the trails are great places to build up stanima...

I can't wait to hear more about Lentenor, though!

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

Kathy — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:58:44 GMT

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see Nicanor exploring the trails around Fair Hill walking behind another horse with a horse-cam, absorbing the amazing aroma and wonders of nature. No, no, that is probably too far out a request, so how about a few photos of Nicanor, please, pretty please.

It is quite obvious that Nicanor is progressing well. I saw the picture of Michael Matz beaming ear to ear when Nicanor was nearby. I believe there is a similar photo at Fair Hill with Barbaro and Michael.

Thank you Amanda and Blood-Horse for this blog. I enjoy reading everyone's comments.

re: Exploring the Hills at Fair Hill

KLB — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:17:21 GMT

MJ,

It is my understanding that Barbaro loved the trails at Fair Hill. I think there is at least one picture of him coming in from a stroll.

KLB