Posts Tagged ‘Odd Job Bob
Gypsy Vanner Ride
If you read this blog on a regular basis than you know that I’m a self proclaimed Chincoteague Pony Lover. I tell myself that I’ll never own another breed again (this may or may not be true – but I certainly am a fan of the breed). It’s also a rare occasion that I actually ride another breed, considering 3 out of our 5 family horses are Chincoteague Ponies. So when I had the chance to ride a Gypsy Vanner at a farm down the street (to help a friend out) I was excited to try something new.
The 4 year old mare I rode was Sattui (who is for sale at El Brio Vanner). At 4 years old she reminded me of an experienced horse who had “been there done that” – definitely not your typical 4 year old. I got Boomerang when he was 4 years old and his maturity level was not even close to Sattui’s. Boomer could barely hold himself together (his balance was horrendous, especially on the trail) and he used any chance he got to act like a baby. Although to be fair Chincotaegue ponies mature MUCH later than most breeds.
From what I hear Gypsy Vanners are a very level-headed breed. Great as quiet trail horses among other things and just an all around safe horse that anyone can ride. And after taking my first ride on one, I believe it.
I helped my friend out by riding Sattui all “Dressagey” for a sale video – never mind the fact that I haven’t actually ridden a horse in a dressage frame in say maybe 4 years. Lets just say my abs aren’t the only thing that is sore!
It was a fun experience, and coming from someone that has never ridden a Gypsy Vanner before I can attest to what a nice breed they are (just don’t tell my Chincoteague Ponies).
If you are in the market for a nice horse be sure to check out El Brio Vanner, they have a great selection of made horses as well as foals and mares in foal!
P.S. El Brio Vanner is also home to the famous, Odd Job Bob, the movie star! Read all about him here.
Horse World Expo – Highlights
While at the Horse World Expo, competing in the Extreme Cowboy Race wasn’t the only thing I did. There were lots of things to see and do, and even more to learn. I wish I had seen EVERYTHING, but it just wasn’t possible. Here are a few things I got to experience that you might find interesting.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting was a pretty popular demo to see. And don’t worry, they said that all the horses had their ears plugged and they don’t use LIVE ammunition.
I also got to watch the spectacular night show, Theatre Equus. My favorite part by far was Guy McLean, who flew his horses here all the way from Australia. I didn’t get to learn much about his training methods, but none-the-less his demonstrations with his horses were AMAZING.
He had a horse that could canter backwards. Seriously.
USDF Young Rider Championships - Super Hero Pas De Deux - Kyley & Megan
We also got to hang out with our friends from El Brio Vanner, home to Odd Job Bob, the star of the movie – The Greening of Whitney Brown. El Brio Vanner is actually right down the street from our farm in PA, and I grew up taking riding lessons with one of their trainers. We always have fun reminiscing about pony camp days and playing with Breyer Horses. 🙂
We also spent some time at the Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle booth, as they were excited to learn about Boomerang competing in the Extreme Cowboy Race in one of their bridles.
Our Horse Trailer
Surprisingly I bought nothing at the expo, as much as I wanted to. I think my biggest temptation would have been one of the horse trailers. Swoon. Any horse trailer dealers want to sponsor a couple of trick ponies? We’ll take it all over the country! haha. Our little old rusty maroon trailer has seen better days. And man wouldn’t I give anything to have a tackroom! At least it’s still a step up from my childhood horse trailer……
My Childhood Horse Trailer
Yes, that’s my first pony, Oreo Cookie, in the back of our “Horse Trailer”. We were on our way to a show. It’s a wonder I have any friends! haha
Well we had a great time at the Expo, and hopefully we’ll be back again next year! 🙂 I hope you enjoyed sharing in on the adventure with me!
The Greening of Whitney Brown
One of my childhood friends (who I learned to ride with!) now works at a Gypsy Vanner Farm, El Brio Vanner, across the street from my farm. Her favorite horse, Odd Job Bob, is the star in a movie that is currently filming, “The Greening of Whitney Brown”. Bob spent most of this summer with famous trick trainer, Tommie Turvey, where he learned to lay down among many other tricks. I’ve been watching Tommie’s Youtube channel all summer as I’ve seen videos of Bob learning liberty signals and tricks specific to the movie. I feel like I know a movie star…even though I still haven’t met Bob!
In the spring I brought two of the Trick Ponies over to El Brio Vanner to give my friend a preview of what I had taught them and how I had taught them – unfortunately Bob had already left to get training for his big movie debut. I’m hoping when he finally returns home in a few weeks I will get a chance to meet this special horse. Maybe I can get his autograph. 🙂
Here’s a little info on the movie:
THE GREENING OF WHITNEY BROWN follows the misadventures of ‘Whitney Brown’ (SAMMI HANRATTY), a privileged and popular Philadelphia teenager whose world is upended when her parents, ‘Henry’ (AIDAN QUINN) and ‘Joan’ (BROOKE SHIELDS), experience sudden economic problems that necessitate a family move to Whitney’s grandparents’ old farm in the country. There, far from her dizzying world of shallow girlfriends, endless parties and school pressures, she finds a new best pal: ‘Odd Job Bob’, a beautiful and spirited Gypsy Vanner horse owned by her new neighbor ‘Dusty’ (KRIS KRISTOFFERSON) — a crusty rancher who turns out to be her estranged grandfather. Through her new relationships with Odd Job Bob, Dusty and her parents, Whitney rediscovers what it means to respect not only nature and her family, but also someone very special she had almost lost touch with: herself.
And here are a few behind the scenes clips:
Super exciting! I hope someday one of the Trick Ponies will make it into a movie – wouldn’t that be cool. For now I’m living vicariously through my friend! 🙂
