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| "I hear they pay good money for bucking horses" |
In this segment of the Thoroughbreds for All symposium, we see three riders (Eric Dierks, Kerry Blackmer, and Steuart Pittman) from the
Retired Racehorse Training Challenge in an even-more-challenging situation. They each hop up on an unfamiliar, fresh-off-the-track, OTTB in a very charged situation, and they ride them. The horses are typical just off the track condition -- while they've had a bit of let-down time, they have not been in regular horse tack, retraining has not yet begun. As if that's not enuf, there are are probably 200 people in bleachers watching, clapping, laughing, talking--oh, and a loud microphone with occasional feedback.
I have nothing but admiration for the riders and their coach, Bruce Davidson. You'll hear lots of gasps and laughter because the horses are reactive (yes, there is bucking!) and the banter is so amusing. They take it all in stride, so to speak.
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I guess this great press for OTTB's. The riders are doing a great job though I can't help but feel it may be a bit unfair to the horses (similar to colt starting clinics). I am sure all these horses went to good homes after though so no real harm done! Fun to watch that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI would get such a kick out of doing this sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing riders considering the situation. Just goes to show how much you can accomplish in just one session when you know what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteLove my TB's but I've only had one OTTB. Bit of a different challenge than starting one that's never raced, that's for sure.
Would you mind sharing the back story on the other two horses shown? It was interesting seeing their different reactions to being riden and their reactions to each other and the crowd. Thanks again for posting these!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to remember. I think one is this one http://www.horseadoption.com/quiet-pride/ and one that we looked at (may or may not be the one that is being ridden) is mywifeknowseverything of the youtube racing video fame http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQRlZw4Rad0. I dont' recall anyone referring to either horse as a she but somehow i thought one of them was this horse...
ReplyDeleteHmm, this was really interesting and from more than one standpoint! The horses all reacted pretty much as I would expect. There's a reason I want to get one that's already been through the Secretariat Center or New Vocations and not straight off the track... I don't have the skill or confidence to tackle this type of riding. However, those three riders most definitely DO, and that's why I'm sitting here wondering if they were at all insulted by Bruce D. giving them so much direction. Maybe it was easier for them to be told, "Let him canter now," or "Bring him back to the walk," while they were busy coping with bucking and nonstop side passing? I'm just curious. Not that Bruce doesn't know what he's talking about, for heaven's sake, but you know what I mean.. guess it was "check your ego at the door" type of event. Very cool to see!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I presume OTTBs get really used to trotting and cantering sideways as they're ponied so much. Wonder if that's at all helpful when they're turned into dressage horses? :-)
Well, I know that Kerry at least actually takes lessons from Bruce, so I imagine she's used to him giving her directions. She's actually from my area and was the coach for my riding team when I was on it in college back in 2003 or so (it's been too long, I forget the year!).
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