Twice.
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WOW!
She’s gorgeous and I’m sorry he said that to you. Who is the cutie by her side?
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He must have been working on that cut for weeks. You know his guts were roiling all season from you and your horses success.
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This story made my blood boil on your behalf.
“You can’t afford her” you replied.
What a JERK.
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Thanks everyone! The mare was one in a million. She was perfect in every way and without question. I still have her first foal by Rio Grande. He will be 25 next year.
The foal in the pic is by Golan (Int’l Grand Prix horse and Confo Hunter back in the day). She also had a super cute chestnut Jupiter baby with four high socks and a big blaze!
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I once had an OTTB (The Old Man you see in some of my posts) that a certain big name Olympian offered to buy from me back in the stabling. He was doing Training level (1.0 meter) eventing at the time. I didn’t even hesitate, “$8 million.” She was gracious though and said, “This one can take you all the way…so long as you don’t screw him up.” 
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Would you mind sharing her dam and sire?
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The incredible rider and trainer Rodney Jenkins loved thoroughbreds. This article is about his career with Idle Dice. (Idle Dice was a track flunk out) Just putting this here to share the great videos and stories of an amazing ottb.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2019/10/08/a-legendary-team-idle-dice-and-rodney-jenkins/&ved=2ahUKEwi8xvjh4JOKAxUMMzQIHX5vNEIQFnoECCQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1d5gc1m3xvUrB0oeHgQf5K
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My how things have changed! I am probably showing my age when I say that, when I had my TBxQH, the “stigma” was very much the other way around.
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My three horses were all OTTBs. My first was an '83 model, supposedly from Aqueduct. I never knew his full story without the internet databases we have now. I got him in '92. I rode him in the A/A hunters and equitation. He was 15.3 and petite, but would jump anything you put in front of him. He got me out of my fair share of mistakes. He wasn’t a world beater at the top shows like indoors, but he got a few ribbons. I rode him in the locals at Devon and was fourth in one class with me and first in the Stake and won the trophy. He was fourth in the Foxhunter class. I think he had scope beyond what we ever asked of him. He needed hock maintenance as it was in the 90s (pre-Legend, etc.), but was fairly sound.
I sold him to another adult rider who rode him to many accolades on the Connecticut h/j circuit. I believe she kept him til he died in his mid-20s. Two things kept him from being a world beater: 1) he developed head shaking syndrome, and 2) never was a great mover. I wish I had done the A/Os with him as the greater ratio of over fences to hack classes would’ve been in his favor.
His name was Lorenzo, show name Merchant of Venice. I don’t know his track name.
Nigel was my jumper, but he crossed over into the equitation. Again, another OTTB that had no fear. He scoped out at about 3’6"-3’9", but was a packer in the adult jumpers. I named him “Don’t Think Twice” after the Dylan song. I rode him when I lived in south Georgia and north Florida. I had to move away and couldn’t take him with me. Last I heard he was a school horse in Brunswick, GA. Unfortunately, he had bad feet. It was hard to keep shoes on him, and he needed regular hock maintenance. He wasn’t the prettiest horse in the world, but he had a heart of gold.
Finally, Leo (or Feliks as he was also known in his career). He came into my life when he was about 21. He was a rescue, and came with his papers; we found out he had a career as a show horse in the A/As and A/Os. He was the nicest moving horse I ever had and so easy to ride on the flat. I only showed him once, but we were reserve champion in the adult 2’6" hunter/equitation at 23 years old! He was very sound until we had to put him down at 26 when he foundered. His racing name was Dash with Sass. If anyone can comment on his pedigree, I’d love to know more about it.
I just was never good at riding warmbloods. They were all spooky and strong. Not my thing. My three were all brave, not spooky, always looking for the next jump.
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Hunter folk, what say you about this one?
Again, bred to be an eventer but everything about him says he wants to lope down over stacked flower boxes with a million braids on his neck.
Lightly started over fences and he jumps like this, in perfect rhythm before and after. Has good flying changes, too. While it’s nice to flatter myself as a good trainer, he was born like this, not made! Almost 4yo. He’s jumped maybe 10 rides so far.
Bonsai hunter log 12-5-24
Bonsai canter vertical flying change 12-5-24
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Really cute! Beautiful canter as well.
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Very very lovely!!
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Looks like a future hunter to me!
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I’m sorry to say since you are in the business of EVENTERS that this one is no good and must go home with me. 
Don’t tell Ninja. I’m still his #1 fan.
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If you’re comfortable, please, please share breeding (in case they make more – I’m keeping a list to keep an eye out for when I’m ready to shop – which, sadly, as someone else alluded to above, the election has me feeling uncertain about).
Also, it goes without saying, yours is 200% lovely.
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Awww. Thank you, Laurie.
I’m not riding these days, but I would go right back to a TB if I did.
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