K O River Crossing - a Former Prospect Horse For Sale
One year after finishing his racing career,
Thoroughbred K O River Crossing
is enjoying his new career as a family sport horse. July 22, 2008
July 22, 2008 - Happy Anniversary! One Year Together!
E & B
I have been meaning to send an update on River and today seem to
be an appropriate one. One year ago today I became River's Mom,
with him arriving at Bits & Bytes directly from his racing
career. It has been an interesting and educating year to say the
least. Having bought my "Guy" sight unseen, he is an
incredibly beautiful animal with so much personality. He is as
demanding and opinionated as his Mom.
Thank you both for all the help and direction you have given in
his transition from the track. I also thank you for taking my ten
year old daughter, Kristen, under your wing and giving her so much
direction as well as having her spend sleep over time while attending
a nearby horse camp. She loves her time at Bit & Bytes Farm
and has enjoyed riding my OTTB on a regular basis.
Loui & Kristen
Elizabeth's Note: We
have had the pleasure of watching Loui and K
O River Crossing learn
and grow together. Please take the time to look at the photos below
and see all that they accomplished together in just one short year.
They have had fun "decorating" for Christmas and they have
been on a hunter pace - both Loui and "River" are learning
to jump. Loui had not ridden for many years before purchasing K
O River Crossing as a Prospect
Horse For Sale - sight unseen. We first met Loui when
she decided that K O River Crossing was to be her "Guy".
We are blessed that they board here at our farm and have become good
friends. Even Loui's daughter Kristen is now starting to ride "River".
Loui, Kristen and "River" are an important part of Bits & Bytes
Farm. How did we ever get by before Louie's muffins! ;--)
Everyone
has fun helping with the chores at Bits & Bytes Farm! Kristen
and her friend
Ashlyn are cleaning out the horses' feed buckets.
Photo by Jay Baotwright of Smaxtart.
March 1, 2008 - "River" first "Field trip" to
the Hunter Pace
Dear Elizabeth and Barry,
Thank you for the opportunity to take my "Muddy River" on
the Hunter Pace. What a fabulous day! I had a great time riding
with you, Andi, Missy, Stephanie, and the many friends you knew
attending the event.
Not only was this my first time to participate in
a Hunter Pace, it was also a first for K O River Crossing. With this
being his first time away from the barn since he arrived from the
race track, he was definitely a little worried. I did not know what
to expect, but was confident that if River and I were a little overwhelmed
as a team, you had a plan.
With the excitement of other riders passing through
and all the unexpected, as well as the long open fields, I did get
nervous with my "guy",
which added to his concerns and mine. At some point I realized
I was going to be working too hard to enjoy the ride on River. Thanks
to Stephanie for offering to ride him, which put me on a Bit & Bytes
Farm horse, Era of Chanago.
Having only ridden Chanago once in the arena, this was also a new
experience. He was awesome and such a different ride from River.
He was a great horse to have at this event (especially since he
has been there before). In hindsight, I wish I had taken the opportunity
to get some jumping experience on him prior, since he does love
to jump and could have handled anything on the course. I knew he
was comfortable with the environment and all the other horses,
which helped me relax and allowed me to enjoy the beautiful scenery
of hills, trails and the view s along the river.
After we exchanged horses and I had a moment to get used to my
new ride, I must say, it was a pleasure just to watch Stephanie
on River. He is moves so beautifully and she is an incredible
rider. It was a thrill to watch them gallop across the open fields.
Just knowing he was mine and we had many more opportunities to
do this together made my day!
Thanks for all the planning you both put into making
this a great experience for all of us.
Loui
February 17, 2008
K O River Crossing is a former race horse
who is now learning dressage and jumping with his mom Loui Padgett.
Photo copyrights Dennis Eyrich. February 16, 2008
Dear Elizabeth & Barry,
It is hard to believe that River and I have had our six month anniversary
and he will soon have his seventh birthday (St. Patrick's Day). It
is also hard to believe that I PROUDLY bought a Thoroughbred, which
was never my intent (over the internet, with great trust and respect
in the two of you), but I will say buying him was the best thing
I have ever done for myself and I did get a great horse for me.
I cannot tell you what a great feeling it is to walk out to the pasture
and call his name and have him come running with his head high and
tail in the air, talking to me all the way. Andi was riding in the
arena one afternoon and watched River run across the pasture to me
and commented on how cool it was to see that connection. (Isn't this
our childhood fantasy and my is coming true way beyond that time.)
My reply was "Just think of how great it was to be at the gate
receiving that big, beautiful animal running for your attention and
how much I enjoyed showering him with peppermints and love.
I think back to when I became River's Mom and add all the things
I have learned about OTTBS and working with them. I have friends
who have horses question me regarding buying a thoroughbred and how
crazy they are and I must say my "Guy" is just the best.
Not only have I found him to be very gentle and relaxed in the last
few months, my nine year old daughter has been on him as well as
an eight year old visitor this past weekend. He was so relaxed and
careful with both of them.
What I really have enjoyed is that I have a horse who comes to me
very disciplined and trained in all the basics. He lunges easily
in both directions at a walk, trot and canter. He also responds well
all commands as well when being ridden.
I am looking forward to the potential to take him on the March 1st
Hunter Pace. (A first for both of us!) This should be a fun day for
us!
Thanks for caring about all the horses, those you know and the ones
you just want to find a home for!
Loui
February 16, 2008
December 22, 2007
Dear Elizabeth and Barry,
This is long past due.
Not long after River arrived at Bits & Bytes, breaking my ankle
in Karate was the last thing I expected to have happen. Surgery
with a plate, five screws and crutches for two months was not at
the top of my list either. After having River for such a short period
of time, it was tough not being able to ride or do more than feed
him peppermints.
K O River Crossing learns about jumps with flowers. November 11,
2007
I cannot tell you what a relief it was knowing he was in such
good hands as yours. It made me feel good to know you treat him
as your own. I also appreciate my friend Brittney for coming
out and getting her horse fix on River. It was great to watch
him in motion. What a beautiful sight.
Brittney Smith on K O River Crossing. August 25, 2007
Brittney Smith started riding Bounced after
River's mom was better. November 11, 2007
Once I was able to walk out to the pasture and bring him in,
I have made it a priority come out and ride, bring in horses,
feed, or anything I can do to help. I must say, in light of my
work schedule and family commitments, I am excited to have spent
more days there than not. River has been awesome and the group
lessons . . . I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed them.
Jumping on Foxy the
first time and then River for the next two. Wow!
Loui learning to jump on Pride of the Fox.
November 4, 2007
I also thank you for taking my nine year old daughter, Kristen
under your wing and putting her to work for riding lessons. She
has really enjoyed getting to know Barbo (feeding him peppermints)
and the time you have spent with her. It has been a great learning
experience in patience, discipline and dealing with these beautiful
animals.
I am so fortunate to be in a position to have my "Muddy River" and
I am thankful for all the friends Kristen and I have made at Bits & Bytes.
It has been such a great experience for both of us. I love her Christmas
pictures on Barbo! Thanks
for putting her on the web page with her
letter. She loved it!
Merry Christmas!
Loui
December 10, 2007
Yesterday was great. I really enjoyed the lesson with River. I have
also enjoyed the time I have been taking to come out and ride. My
guy is awesome!
Thanks for everything,
Loui
Ex-race horse - K O River Crossing is learning
to jump - and so is his mom! December 9, 2007
August 2, 2007
K O River Crossing and Loui Padgett riding with no stirrups. August
2, 2007.
Hi Elizabeth,
I want to thank you for your patience, time and direction
in helping me find "River". After so many years away from these
great animals, I realized a few months ago there would once again
be a horse in my future. I never thought it would be a big, beautiful
Thoroughbred., such as "River".
Once my quest began, I knew I needed someplace to board that would
fit my needs. After weeks of looking at horses and searching for
a stable (with no luck there), I ran across your website. I probably
went by your site two or three times and then logged on and still
thought, “What would I do with a thoroughbred from the race
track?” Upon speaking with you and spending time at your barn
and seeing your facility, I knew it was exactly what I was looking
for. Then when I saw "River" on the Prospect List,
I just kept coming back to his information and his photos and information.
Everything just felt right for me.
SOLD! Congratulations Loui Padgett of Canton,
Georgia - July 23, 2007
On Sunday, July 22, when I saw
him with his big red bow on, I can’t
tell you how excited I was. After spending the next week just
getting to know "River" and his surroundings, I knew
I had made the right choice. Spending the next week getting to
know him and seeing him settle into his surroundings was a pleasure.
He has been so calm and easy to work with. I am amazed at the number
of times there was chaos around him and he just moved on as if
it were nothing.
Elizabeth had the pleasure of the first ride
on "River". July 30, 2007
On Monday, July 30th, watching you ride him was
spectacular. He moved so beautifully and handled so well. Then
my moment arrived. It felt so good getting on him and taking
him around the arena. I was back in the saddle again and loving it!
Elizabeth had the pleasure of the first ride
on "River". July 30, 2007
I looked forward to seeing him the next day and took him out once
again. We began with some time on the lunge line, which he did great.
We then spent time riding around the arena getting to know each other
and becoming more familiar with our surroundings.
Loui
Padgett gets to ride "River" for the first time. July
30, 2007
On Wednesday, August 1st, I was beginning to get more comfortable
with "River" and he was relaxing with his new home. We spent
about 90 minutes riding at a walk/trot (me without stirrups most
of the time to get settled in with him). It was great!
Thursday, August 2nd. Wow! What fun. I was so looking forward to
seeing "River" and riding. It was no let down. He took
his big, beautiful self out and we walked, trotted and cantered while
another horse was jumping in the arena. He took it all in stride!
"River's" second ride. July 31,
2007
I am looking forward to getting to know "River" even more and learning
and growing with him. I will keep you posted on my thoughts as we
progress.
Thanks for everything you have done to help in this process. You
have created a wonderful environment for horse lovers who want to
enjoy their passion in whatever way it works for them.
Loui
July 23, 2007 - K O River Crossing arrives at Bits & Bytes Farm
SOLD! Congratulations Loui Padgett of Canton,
Georgia - July 23, 2007
K O River Crossing will be boarding at Bits & Bytes
Farm.
FREEDOM!
SOLD!
Congratulations Loui Padgett of Canton, Georgia - July 2007
K O River Crossing
"River" is a 16+
hand, dark bay, six year old, gelding. He is currently in race training.
He has extremely good confirmation and he a wonderful
personality. See K
O River Crossing's Prospect
Horse For Sale photos.
Click here to
see his pedigree.
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