Lorraine Jackson

Spectra VET Performance of the Week: Steeplechase Save

Lorraine Jackson, Sponsored, Leave a comment
You know it’s good when the announcer says “He’ll never recover from that!” AND THEN HE DOES.
Screenshot via YouTube

Screenshot via YouTube

Seven-year-old Killultagh Vic was the 2-7 favorite for Sunday’s Grade 2 Novice steeplechase at Leopardstown on the Emerald Isle and was plucking along just fine at the front of the pack… until total disaster struck.

The horse’s striding, takeoff, and form were perfect to the final fence and had seemingly cleared the way for victory when his front feet when completely out from under him, and the horse was suddenly splayed out on the turf like a bear rug on the cabin floor.

Veteran jockey Ruby Walsh managed to remain completely centered over the horse throughout the chaos, which in horse racing time seems to last an eternity, but the ferociously competitive pair returned to their feet and dug in.

Walsh never regained his right stirrup, and finishes the race still in jockey form using one stirrup and pure muscle alone. Oh, did I say finish? I meant WIN.

Despite getting passed by two solid competitors, Killultagh Vic manages to overtake horses Blair Perrone and Lord Scoundrel  in just a matter of a few hundred yards to win by 3/4 of a length. Some are calling it one of the most miraculous comebacks in horse racing history, and they may be right.

“It was a good performance to get back up and win, wasn’t it?” Walsh told The Irish Times. “He’s got some turn of foot, and that’s with me flapping up and down on him.”

In other words, in addition to Walsh being one of Ireland’s most legendary riders, he also made one of history’s best recoveries, and did it with an obscene amount of modesty. And in case you’re wondering, I’m sorry to say he’s sadly not on the most eligible bachelor’s list, with a wife and three daughters. If you want to learn more about Ruby Walsh, you can follow him on Twitter and check out the three part YouTube series on him here. Killultagh Vic will get some rest in preparation for Cheltenham’s JLT Chase in March, where he’s currently the 4-1 favorite.

Go Vic and Ruby, and Go Riding!

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6 Horses Who Have Mastered the Jolly Ball

Lorraine JacksonLeave a comment
Watch out, LeBron: You’re not the only balla in town anymore.

If like any good horse citizen you’re struggling to ‘adult’ this frigid day in January, please take a moment to indulge in these six horses who are also totally opposed to any kind of ‘adulting’. And if you’re curious how your own four legged monster might take to a toy of his own, snag one from our lovely friends at SmartPak!

 

  1. Hot Rod could do some damage with his Jolly Ball. Remember in elementary school when you got beaned in the face during kickball? It would be kind of like that, but the school bully is 1100 pounds.

 

2. Miguel the Soccer Pro. This guy, on the other hand, is more of a professional. He’s refined his skills in hopes of playing for Manchester City.

 

3. Romeo vs. Ball. This lad, however, plays like he’s out for blood. He wants to see the ball go down. Pop and wither in absolute unconditional surrender. It’s not a game. It’s a battle to the death.

 

4. Cruz is Adorable. This little Kiger mustang is giving it his all to emulate Romeo as a ferocious monster, but ends up just being completely, hopelessly adorable. And the description isn’t kidding; the ball totally wins against this little guy and it’s hilarious.

 

5. Einstein’s Theory of Size Relativity. In the space-time continuum, the ball is definitely winning here, on the basis of Einstein just not taking up as much space. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in exceedingly tiny razor sharp hooves.

6. Legacy Obsidian uses ball to look even more gallant and noble.  For this Arabian stallion, the ball is just a convenient excuse to snort, run, and look ridiculously athletic and gorgeous. We wholeheartedly approve.  (note: you will have to be logged into Facebook to see the video.)

 

Silly boy!

Posted by Windhaven Ranch on Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Go Riding.

Feel-Good Post of the Day: Man Rescues Foal on Highway

Lorraine JacksonLeave a comment
It’s what any of us would do, but it still feels good to see humans doing right by the equines.

The backstory on this amazing little moment is lost to the interwebs, but it will still give you all of the feelings.

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At first it looks like all will not end well as the anxious foal careens into the driver’s lane and almost gets hit by the approaching car.  The driver quickly realizes the foal is completely despondent because his mother and the rest of his herd are on the other side of the long highway divider, and decides to do something about it.

The anxious mother can be seen in the background, but she hangs back as the man gently sets the foal down on the right side of the barrier. The driver and his family watch the little stinker reunite with his mother, and all is right with the world again.

Have a warm thought for the good people and lost foals this holiday season, and Go Riding!