Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: OTTBs Take Over YEH Championships

Was it intention or serendipity that saw the FEI World Breeding Championships at Mondial du Lion and the East and West Coast USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championships take place the same weekend? Either way, there were loads of gorgeous young event horses to ogle over whichever way you turned. While not a single horse starting in the 6- or 7-year-old Championships this year at Le Lion was full Thoroughbred, the breed was well-represented across the pond in the USEA’s YEH Championships from coast to coast.

On the East side, Sallie Johnson’s own Things to Ponder took third in the 5-year-old Championship and Hannah Salazar’s mare Lute and Sweet, ridden by Chris Talley, claimed Reserve Champion for the 4-year-olds. Looking to the West, California-bred mare MVP Madbum, owned and ridden by Madison Temkin, was crowned 5-year-old Champion. For the 4-year-olds, OTTBs swept the podium with Lauren Burnell’s mare Melkenna, ridden by Andrea Baxter, taking the top spot; Jennifer Wooten’s gelding TE Pacific Passage, ridden by Becky Leisz, claiming reserve; and Allyson Hartenburg’s own Mucho Me Gusto rounding out the top three.

These babies are all out to prove that racetrack-dropouts can grow up to be some of the world’s best event horses. This week’s wishlist features three young prospects that we’d love to see developed through the FEH and YEH ranks:

Decision Time. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Decision Time (BELLAMY ROAD – DEPUTIE’S NOTEBOOK, BY NOTEBOOK): 2015 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding.

Decision time, indeed — if you don’t make up your mind about this one quickly he might be gone in a flash! There isn’t anything not to like about this handsome grey gelding. Not only is well-built and athletic, but he has a good work ethic and is a total sweetheart as well. Despite his lovely nature, he’s just not quite competitive enough as a racehorse to make the trip down south for the winter with his current trainer. Their loss is the eventing world’s gain, however! Decision Time even has an excellent pedigree for sport, making him a promising prospect for the future.

Located at Finger Lakes Race Track, Farmington, NY.

View Decision Time on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc. via Facebook.

Animal Sync. Photo via Second Stride.

Animal Sync (ANIMAL KINGDOM – OUT OF SYNC, BY OUT OF PLACE): 2016 16.3-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Two-years-old and already 16.3-hands tall? Animal Sync is going to be a big dude! Despite his ground-covering movement, he was deemed too slow early on and never actually made it into the starting gate for a race. He does, however, have several official workouts on record and is therefore RRP 2019 eligible. Animal Sync is sound and calm under saddle. He seems to have an easy-going attitude and is just looking to please his rider.

Located at Moserwood Farm in Prospect, Kentucky.

View Animal Sync on Second Stride.

Best Ride. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Best Ride (FAST DRAW – SUNDAY RIDE, BY SUNDAY BREAK (JPN)): 2015 16.1-hand New York-bred mare

Don’t let her plain exterior fool you — Best Ride could be exactly that. With just two starts, she’s relatively low-mileage for a three-year-old and she’s come off the track sound, albeit slow. She does, however, have good bloodlines for jumping and the FLF volunteers who saw her noted nice movement even through a bit of post-race stiffness. Her sweet temperament and excellent ground manners really shone through as well. Give this girl a chance and you could be pleasantly surprised!

Located at Finger Lakes Race Track, Farmington, NY.

View Best Ride on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds, Inc.