Phillip Dutton and Icabad Crane. Screenshot via video.
If you’re like me and currently re-training an OTTB, it doesn’t get much better than watching Phillip Dutton work with Icabad Crane, the 2008 Preakness Stakes runner who is currently competing at Novice level after coming into Big Phil’s program in January. Owners Graham and Anita Motion were out at True Prospect Farm earlier this month to check in on Icabad’s progress, and Phillip schooled the horse through four different obstacles — logs, ditch, bank and water — for our viewing pleasure.
I love how sassy Icabad is in the videos while Phillip is explaining the exercises. Internal monologue: “Less talking, more JUMPING!” It’s obvious the horse is loving his new career as an eventer. He most recently finished in second place in his Novice division on 33.9 at Seneca Valley with Waylon Roberts while Phillip was in Germany for Luhmühlen. Many thanks to Graham and Anita for posting the videos, and be sure to follow Icabad Crane on Facebook to keep up with his new career.
