Oki Doki

hwm — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:17:00 GMT

In Bull Durham Kevin Costner as “Crash Davis” famously lays out what he believes in. Well here’s what this kid believes in:

I believe a horse should always try its guts out. I believe a horse should jump with its knees in the vicinity of its eyeballs. I believe a horse that looks a bit “workman-like” is just as, if not more, effective than the prettiest one. I believe all horses should be treated like pets. I believe a phrase is a better answer to a question than a monosyllabic word. In short, I believe in Oki-Doki.

Oki-Doki is the 13-year old KWPN gelding that took the Jumping world by storm in 2009. With Dutchman Albert Zoer Oki won the World Cup Qualifier at Bordeaux in February, which stamped his ticket to the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. In Vegas, Zoer and Oki claimed third place after a hard fought battle with German golden girl Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (riding Shutterfly) and America’s First Lady of Jumping Sapphire (ridden by McLain Ward). Oki Doki returned to Europe for the summer and fall putting up great showings at various Meydan’s Nations Cup stops and Jumping competitions all over the continent.

However, it’s not just the results that make Oki so popular with his ever growing fan base. No matter the height or spread of the jump Oki Doki jumps out of his skin in order to not touch it. When you look at him jump his face projects an expression that says “I’ve got this situation under control”. You have to have a face made of granite to watch this horse jump and not smile because Oki obviously loves the game.

Oki Doki was unlucky to miss out on representing The Netherlands at the 2008 Olympics after Albert broke his leg badly schooling a young horse at home shortly before the games. However, after a strong 2009 campaign Oki seems to be ready to come the Lexington, KY next fall and tear it up at the World Equestrian Games.

Albert is one hundred percent his horses biggest fan. After his stellar finish in Vegas, Zoer expressed his gratitude for his buddy “Oki Doki is always a fighter and he does everything for me, I really love him.”

Seriously, how could not believe in this horse?

Oki Doki and Albert Zoer

Photo Courtesy of the FEI/ Kit Houghton

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Horses in the Headlines: Isaac

hwm — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:30:00 GMT

I spent last week in Springfield, MA at Equine Affaire working in the USEF Booth. I finally feel like I am warming up and have feeling back in my fingers and toes. Despite being born and raised in the Bay State. I think spending the last five years in the warmer climates of Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky has thinned my blood and taken the hardy New-Englander out of me. By Sunday afternoon at take-down time I think all the boys and girls from the Marketing (Kathy Meyer, Melissa Davis and myself) and IT (Ian Thornton and Ryan Hays) were starting to crack-up; cold temperatures, watching the same videos on repeat and more Fried Dough than anyone person should ever consume were all contributing factors.

However, we all had a good time and more than a few laughs. I think we learned a lot about each other, fair food and Twitter. Most importantly, the people that came into the booth seemed to really enjoy watching the videos (which can all be found in the Club-E video section), learning about the Federation and Club Equestrian. As well, some savvy shoppers got great deals on USEF Event Merchandise and more than one coat was literally bought off my back.

There were some really fun things that happened in Springfield last week but I think my favorite memory will be meeting Isaac. Isaac, is a 19 hand snow white Shire stallion. He literally is the biggest horse I have ever seen. I’ve spent my entire life around horses and until I had seen Isaac I would tell you I had seen all makes and models of horses. However, in comparison he makes some of the bigger event horses I’ve been around and sat on look like the mini-bikes that everyone rides around.

Isaac is every inch of 19 hands

He wears size 10 ½ steel shows which I can only image would be like Shaq’s size 22 Nikes. The other thing I found amazing was that the card on his stall said he weighed 2,000lbs. However, he looked completely in fighting shape and didn’t look soft around the middle at all. I wonder what the scale would balance out at if he had been eating all the carbs and powdered sugar the rest of us had?

My favorite thing about Isaac was that he was so sweet. He was consistently poking his nose between the bars of the stall looking for attention. And he never seemed to be the least self-conscious when people were snapping his photo and commenting on his large size.

If I could have I would have brought Isaac home to live in the back yard but I think he probably would have been a bit too big for my carry-on luggage. So I guess I will have to wait for next year to see my buddy again.

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