Master's Choice
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Master's Story
I got Master in 2003 (I think), from my friend Shirley, who has access to thoroughbreds off the track. I think he went to someone else for a short time before me, and they could not make him jump... I have to say, he had no previous training. He was skinny, and had no idea how to even go over ground poles, but I could sensibly feel his incredible balance, and could imagine him over a big oxer and be safe. His feet were in a bad shape, long toes, no heels and very thin soles… Mario, my farrier (and also my stepson), did a good job, and the only lameness he had was an abscess.
I trained him on the flat… and worked over poles and trotted little fences only, for I think a full year. When it was time to go cross country, absolutely nothing worried him! Water, ditches etc. was not an issue, so I told myself …I have to keep him…he will be amazing!
At our first show, he was very tense in his dressage, the rest was not a problem, just that he was very strong on the cross country. But my focus was to teach him rhythm and balance. I knew that the fences would never be an issue, but I had to somehow teach him patience ...
I quickly realized that the fences or the height of them were not an issue, so I decided to not show him until he was ready to compete at a higher level, and not spend time over lower levels and waste his time… Also, I trained more - dressage was the biggest part of it. I spent all winter over gymnastics, lines in every angle possible, dressage exercises and for the next spring he was ready! I entered him at his first preliminary level, he was awesome :) He needed a long warm up to get his energy out, he was a hot horse, but had a very good focus span. Since then he hasn't stopped getting better - he has competed to advance level, which is the highest level in the national competition. He has placed in every show he’s entered - he actually won his last show in May, in Weatherford, TX in Intermediate level :)
He is an incredible cross country horse; quick reflexes, fast and he loves it. The more technical it is - the better he is. I feel free like the wind over those big oxers, he is a very impressive horse on cross country. The dressage part is his weakest point, not because of lack of training (because I think he is very well schooled), but because he is a very playful horse, and sometimes he thinks that the dressage arena is a play ground, plus he knows that after that phase he gets to HAVE FUN!! :)
In 2005 he was in a trailer accident. He was coming back from a vet check up, a student of mine was trailering him, along with another horse in a 2 horse trailer. On the freeway, a car swirled in front of her, she couldn't do anything, but quickly turn the steering wheel and the truck and trailer flipped 2 or 3 times. The truck was completely totaled, the other horse got out of the trailer from the opening in the back of it (bumper pulled), got loose on the freeway, and Master was still tied in the trailer, which was on its side. The trailer was NOT in good shape, looking from the outside, but Master did not panic and was waiting to have someone free him. They had to brake the window and the ramp, and somehow Master got out totally unharmed, not a scratch!!! A horse trailer stopped, someone caught the other horse, and put Master and him in the other trailer… no problems, they went straight in just as if nothing had happened! They were both a little body sore for a few days, but nothing more. Trailering has never been an issue after that tragedy - lucky Master :) Master is continuing his career, and as for the other horse, who was a 2 year old off the track, he is spending the rest of his life in a pasture with my student’s old horse.
My website Has lots of cool pictures of other OTTBs and many of my students (gallery page)
Pictures
Videos
(coming soon - hopefully...)
Pedigree
Master is a grandson of Mr Prospector and a great grandson of Buckpasser. Here is his pedigree at pedigreequery.com
Highlights of Master's eventing career
2005 May - Woodside, Open Prelim - 5th
2005 Sept - Copper Meadow, Open Intermediate - 6th
2006 March - Galway Down, Open Intermediate - 2nd
2006 May - Galway Down, Open I (World Cup Qualifier) - 5th
2006 August - Woodside, Advance (World Cup Qualifier) - 7th
2006 Sept - Twin Rivers, Advance (World Cup Qualifier ) - 6th
He did not compete in 2007 because of the move from California to Texas
2008 - Meadow Creek, Kosse, TX, Open Intermediate - 2nd
2008 April - Holly Hill, Benton, LA, Open Intemediate - 4th
2008 - Green Wood Farm, Weatherford, TX , Open Intermediate cic *** - 1st
Master's career on the track
| Starts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Earnings (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 3 | 3 | 3 | $26,165 |
| Date | Age | Placed | Race | Distance | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3, 01 | 5 | 3rd | Clm 4000 | 6f | Bay Meadows |
| Apr 14, 01 | 3rd | Clm 4000 | 6f | Bay Meadows | |
| May 7, 00 | 4 | 2nd | Clm 5000 | 6f | Golden Gate |
| Apr 9, 00 | 2nd | Clm 6250 | 6f | Golden Gate | |
| Jan 30, 00 | 2nd | Clm 12500 | 6f | Bay Meadows | |
| Dec 31, 99 | 3 | 1st | Clm 8000 | 6f | Golden Gate |
| Oct 17, 99 | 1st | Clm 10000 | 5 1/2 | Fresno Fair | |
| Oct 8, 99 | 1st | Mcl 8000 | 6f | Fresno Fair | |
| Sep 1, 99 | 3rd | Mcl 125000 | 6f | Sacramento Fair |
Complete race record
Comments
What an AWESOME horse! And he looks like he could be Curlin's older brother! And he sure was a LUCKY horse, surviving that trailer accident, my God - and that really proves what a COOL horse he must be. swedishkat
What a handsome and talented horse! (And I love that it's only in the dressage pictures that his ears are not forward!) MarginMaine
