Oso Smart

Oso Smart

Name: Oso Smart

Barn Name: Oso

Birth Year: 2011

Gender: Gelding

Height:  16.1 hh

Color: Dark Bay

Location:  Paso Robles, CA

Starts/Win/Place/Show:   14/0/1/3

Career Highlights:   With his stellar breeding (his sire Curlin, was a two time Horse of the Year) he raced primarily in Maiden Special Weight, meaning he couldn’t be claimed. However, he never broke his maiden as he appeared to be too slow.

Total Earnings: $30,200.

Last Race: 2/12/2015

Sire: Curlin

Dam: Duchess Zea (Ascot Knight)

Other Pedigree Notables: Smart Strike, Mr. Prospector, Deputy Minister, Danzig

Description: Oso Smart is so very cute and flashy. He is a very dark bay, almost black, with an irregular white star and four small white stocking feet. He bowed his left front tendon in March of this year. The tendon is set and cold and Oso has had nine months off. He is ready to begin light exercise, such as 30 days of walking under tack and slowly building up to jog/trotting and so on. He seems to be very quiet and easy to work around. With his good looks and compact confirmation, he should make a darling hunter or western horse.

February 2016 Update: We are pleased to announce that our professional trainer, Sigourney Jellins of SLJ Eventing applied for and was selected to participate in the Retired Racehorse Project’s 100K makeover competition to be held in Lexington, Kentucky October 2016.

As her horse Sigourney chose Oso Smart, a beautiful 2011 dark bay gelding by the great sire and two time Horse of the Year Curlin.  Oso was just coming off a lengthy rehab with us for a bow tendon injury.  He last raced in February 2015.

We are very excited for Sigourney and equally excited for Oso who is being offered a tremendous training opportunity.  Sigourney was chosen for both dressage and eventing so we will see what discipline Oso will eventually compete in.

Oso has no sponsors and we would appreciate donations towards his professional training costs, board, farrier, medical, shavings and supplements.  We also need to raise money to send him to Kentucky and then back to California.  After his competition he will be offered for adoption through our program.  Any sponsors to Oso’s training and other supportive costs will have first right of refusal if interested in adopting.  Oso is a beautifully built very athletic horse with lots of Irish sports horse in his pedigree.  He is a kind and willing partner as well.  In other words, even without the exceptional training is now getting, he is a real find.

We are thrilled that Neigh Savers will be participating in the Retired Racehorse Project’s thoroughbred makeover and wish both Sigourney and Oso great success.

Oso Smart will be available for adoption after he participates in the Retired Racehorse Project’s 100K makeover competition to be held in Lexington, Kentucky October 2016.

September 2016 Update: Oso Smart is a gorgeous 2011 gelding by the renowned sire Curlin. Currently schooling training and first level movements on the flat and jumping 2’6″ courses, destined for success in the show ring. Show stopping good looks (dark bay with chrome), lovely mover, athletic jump and easy to put on the bit. Plenty of talent for dressage, hunter/jumpers, or eventing. Trailers well, good in new places, has been to his first show (a combined test) and was a star. Excellent feet and good bone, looks more like a warmblood! Goes out on the trail by himself or in a group, and has been cross country schooling–loves the water! Has the sweetest puppy-dog personality, and tries very hard to please! Don’t pass this one up, he really has the best temperament. Easy to handle on the ground, suitable for an amateur or kid under the guidance of a trainer.

October 2016 Update:  We are beyond proud of Oso for handling the Thoroughbred Makeover 2016 like a true champion. From his cold, windy and drizzling show jumping round to his very hot and sunny dressage round, to his sales showcase he held it together and performed extremely well. There are so many things here to challenge a young OTTB, and he passed with flying colors. He shows some real talent for dressage with a lovely walk and strong trot work. He has some talent for jumping as well and should make someone a willing partner with a bright future! We are so proud of him!
Although Oso had several interested parties stop by during the show, he went home with former adopter Amy C. to South Carolina.  She had already brought her trailer in anticipation!!  Amy will continue to keep Oso in dressage training and hopes to one day realize her Paralympic dreams with Oso at her side.  Congratulations Amy and keep dreaming big!!!
October 2017 Update:  Oso has moved on to Eventing and is doing amazing!

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