As I promised I finally have an update on the Dobby man. I have now lightly ridden the baby dreamboat 3 times. Every ride truly is better than the last!
You might be wondering what took so long!? How could I stand waiting to sit on him? Honestly, I would have tried to ride him sooner if he wasn’t so hell bent on being broken. Mr. Twinkletoes ended up with 2 (maybe 3) abscesses after his cross country trip. I spent most of the first 2 weeks of his time here bandaging his foot and biting my nails.
Even though it looked like Dobby had an abscess I was convinced that he was going to be broken forever. I got myself so worked up that I even called the vet out. Predictably the vet was like… “ummm… yes these are abscesses… which you knew… keep doing what you are doing… here’s a bill”. One week of wrapping later and Dobby was less convinced he was dying (he is a bit of a baby) and it was finally time to take a test drive.
When Amanda and I got home from our lessons Saturday I decided it was as good a day as any to climb on for the maiden voyage on the S.S. Dobby. GUYS! This horse is a real life unicorn. It’s only been one month since his last race (12/2/18) and he’s only been here with me in TX for 2 weeks but you would never know it. I figured our first ride would be rather uneventful but I didn’t anticipate just how at home I would feel. 
I have always enjoyed riding different horses but assumed that coming back after having a baby I would be on a familiar horse. The universe had other plans though and mid November I found myself casually starting to look at OTTB listings from all over the place. Even after I fell down the Flatter hole a part of me still didn’t think that I would actually end up with one. When the stars aligned and things started to come together I will admit that I felt pretty crazy. Buying a coming 4 year old off the track when I was less than 8 months post partum was definitely a risk.
I am not the same person that I was when I got Annie off the track. I don’t have the same guts that I used to. These days I don’t always look at a risk like an opportunity. Being responsible for another life will do that to you I guess. I was both excited and nervous for my first ride on Dobby. I really didn’t need to be though.
I didn’t ask for much when I rode him but got a great feel for how he goes. Boy does he go well! His canter is just… WOW. Once Dobby learns how to come through his back more and gets stronger he will be even more impressive. I can already tell that this horse is going to make me a better ride. It is definitely going to take me time to get comfortable riding him but as I do I . Some things are just meant to be. I really feel like this horse came into my life at just the right time.
How did you guys pick your horses show name?
Last but not least, I want to thank everyone that has supported and contributed to the Little Orphan Annex Memorial Fund. When Amanda told me what she and Beka were working on I was speechless. This is the most perfect way to honor my incredible mare. Thank you to everyone that is coming together to help do this. I appreciate this gesture more than you know. Annie never raced but I did buy her off the track. Annie is the horse that made me fall in love with thoroughbreds. Mares and eventing too if we are being honest. Everyone would be lucky to be loved by a chestnut thoroughbred mare. I can’t wait to present the award at the 2019 RRP TB Makeover.
He is so cute and sweet! I love it when show names and barn names are connected. My filly’s barn name is Jupiter (the university names all of their foals with the same first letter each year), but her AQHA registered name is MU Chets Best Detail. Since that’s a bit quarter horsey for me, I thought for a long time about what I wanted her show name to be. I think I finally settled on inspiration from an Earth Wind & Fire song called “Jupiter” and, will show her as MU From the Galaxy (keeping the breeder suffix).
Love watching your progress with him, and I also can’t wait to see more of Luna when you’re ready to bring her home 🙂
That’s a good name! I also like connected names.
He is so fancy. Your stalking efforts really paid off. I can’t wait to follow along.
His step is HUGE, especially for being right off the track. Usually they have that chopping little trot. Not Dobby! I think you guys are going to have so much fun together.
Love Apparition for a show name, it’s perfect!
Yeah he is more like a horse that has been let down. I think because they lived at a training facility not at the track. Just hauled out for races.
oh my gosh I love him! He looks like he has a fantastic brain. Can’t wait to read more about your guys progress!
He does! He’s such a good dude.
OMG all of the HP nerdiness pleases my soul. Such a perfect show name. Cheesiness and all!
OMG he’s 4??? Or really 3 until his real bday??? He is the coolest baby!!!!! Love the new name b/c you can never go wrong with naming horses after HP things 🙂 You’re going to have so much fun with him and I can’t wait for you guys to kick ass and take names at RRP this fall!!
Technically he’ll be 4 on April 10th. 🙂
What a good baby horse! He look like a real sweetie, I am looking forward to following your progress.
Henry’s racing name was Magic Musket which I didn’t find inspiring at all. I thought about naming him along the Harry Potter lines but settled for AE (Accidental Eventer, after my orange mare) Expressions, because sometimes he has feelings and he needs to express them!
Haha I love that. Sometimes we all have feelings to express 😂
He is so lovely!!❤️ And that show name sounds perfect!
Thank you 😍
OMG I love all the HP references. It’s the best! And he looks so sweet! Love him!
He’s so cute and being a huge Harry Potter fan I LOVE the new show name!!
Love the new name!