1999 Bay Hanoverian Gelding by Gold Luck 

Show Results

Winning in the Jumpers. See Owner Comments.

Owner Comments

Hi again,

Ok - so here's a brief history on Gift Tax's ('Tucker') training/show experience. We backed Tucker for the first time as a three year old. I was the first person to sit on and ride him and they are moments I will treasure forever! As a 3 yr old with between 6-9 months of training underway, Tucker went to his first few hunter jumper shows and even was champion at one in a baby open hunter class (the fences were maybe 2'). The best thing about him was his wonderful disposition. Even though green, he handled the schooling areas with ease and would stand outside the ring awaiting his turn like a made show horse...

As a 4 year old, we moved him into the jumper ring. His first time in the baby green jumpers he was 4th out of 12 or so horses. By mid-summer he was competing in the Level 1 jumpers (fences 2'9"-3') where he also frequently got ribbons (even a few 1st's!). The best thing about this is that my trainer who was showing him was never trying to 'win'. She was going in the show ring for training purposes and experience (in other words bing slow and deliberate around the course and not going for speed) but he has such a natural big stride that he was still doing well. He went down to NC in the fall of his 4 year old year and when around every course clean and within the time allowed.

As a 5 year old this year, I sent him to Ocala, Florida for the month of February. He started in the Level 2 jumpers (3'-3'3"). These were classes of always over 40 horses (and frequently around 60) and had some of the big tiem professional grand prix riders competing in order to school their clients horses (Michael Kirby, Callan Solem, etc). Tucker got a 6th place in one of the classes his first week there and by the 3rd week he was Reserve Champion of the Level 2's after winning a class (he also got an 8th place that week in another class out of ~60 horses). He has done several other shows this year and for the first time last month he finally competed in the Level 3's (3'3"-3'6")! He was great but had one refusal (the jump caught him off guard) so was out of the ribbons.

Like his Dad, he is extremely athletic with a very powerful hind-end. The height of the fences is not an issue for him and my trainers love him and say his options are endless. I couldn't possibly be more pleased with him and I hope to start showing him myself next year. I'll send better pictures when I get some....these really don't do him justice!

Talk to you soon.
Lynn

ps - We have also been doing some basic dressage training with him as we recognize how important the flexibility and flat work is. I've been told he could just as easily excel in the dressage ring so may try and do some cross training/showing yet!