When we think about off-track horses Thoroughbreds are usually the first breed that comes to mind, but they aren’t the only equine ex-racers out there looking for second careers. The Standardbred racing industry faces a similar challenge, but as with OTTBs a number of organizations and adoption agencies have risen up around the country — and the world — in the service of these often underestimated horses.
Last week EN’s sister site Horse Nation shared a quiz video that challenged readers to “guess which horse is the Standardbred.” Created by the Standardbred rescues Won by One and ROC the Standardbred, it challenged the stereotypes surrounding the breed.
“Standardbreds have unfortunately picked up a reputation for being un-elegant plain Janes, but in reality they come in many shapes, sizes, colors and abilities, just like the Thoroughbred,” Kristen Kovatch wrote. “As demonstrated in this video, the Standardbred can be an excellent choice for multiple disciplines and there are many deserving animals coming off the track looking for homes.”
The breed’s versatility, athleticism and heart is no new development. Exhibit A: Halla, the German show jumper ridden by Hans Günter Winkler who three Olympic Gold Medals.
Photo: IOC/Public Domain.
By a Standardbred out of a French trotter, the 16.2-hand mare was first trained as a steeplechaser, then competed unsuccessfully as an eventer (she was too nervous for the dressage) before settling into a successful show jumping career. The rest, as they say, was history.
While this particular tale doesn’t involve eventing, it’s too good a story not to share: Halla and Winkler had already won back-to-back World Championships when they competed at the 1956 Olympics in Stockholm. In the first round Winkler pulled a groin muscle after his mare took off early for a jump. Despite the pain, Winkler decided to continue riding, as the German team would be eliminated without him.
Any drugs that could reduce the pain enough to make him comfortable in the saddle would also reduce his mental capacity, therefore he was only given black coffee before his ride to try to help reduce his dizziness and double-vision. Halla sensed that her rider was not right and performed the entire course clear with only steering from Winkler. Their performance won them the Individual and Team Gold.
Halla went on to win another team gold at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, after which she was retired.
And, of course, we’d be remiss not to include USEA Hall of Fame horse Jenny Camp, who won Individual Silver in eventing at both the 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Ridden by Captain Earl F. Thomson, the Army-bred mare was by the famous Thoroughbred jumping sire Gordon Russell out of a mare that is thought to have been part Thoroughbred, part Standardbred.
The three-day event at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin was a legendarily punishing competition, cross country day especially. Out of 50 entries, 27 horses completed the course, three were fatally injured, and two horses were unable to finish on account of lameness (you can read my history of it and find video here).
Jenny Camp, though, proved as tough as she was talented and finished strong.
Photo: IOC/Public Domain.
Standardbreds are still out there competing successfully as sport horses today. Off the Track Western Australia, a non-profit program that supports the transition of retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses to second careers post racing, recently posted this video that does a great job of outlining both the rewards and challenges of eventing a Standardbred.
In particular, it highlights the successful transition of two of the organization’s retired Standardbred racehorses, Nicolana Wild and Whitbys Revival, both of whom are now excelling in the sport of eventing.
What a wonderful reminder to think outside the box when it comes to choosing event horses. For more information on off-track Standardbred adoption, we encourage you to check out the many resources available online. The United States Trotting Association maintains a directory of programs and agencies here.
Go Standardbreds.
