Whenever I read The Owls Approve, I am struck by two things. 1) Rebekah is really funny. 2) She love love loves Archie. It’s really nice to see a blog that isn’t 100% focused on showing and results, but just enjoying the partnership of a cool OTTB… and a cool OTTB is exactly what mister Bold Archer is!

What is his/her registered name? The Bold Archer. (Okay, the “the” technically isn’t in there, but I feel it gives him more presence. Also, to distinguish him from the three other “Bold Archers” and the two other Archies.) I feel like this is a good time to mention nicknames and here are his: the Kid, Arch, ArchArch, Bastard, Monster, Booger, Douche, Jerkface, Good Boy. Oh, and Little Shit. Man, I love this horse!

Lineage? Can be found here. He’s got some greats in his blood and his daddy is (or was?) currently the top stud in Turkey for producing winners. Who knew?

Did your OTTB race? If so, how’d they do? The Kid ran seventeen times. He won once (Maiden Claiming, Beulah Park, Kentucky on April 21st, 2001) and came in second twice. He made a whopping $6,171.

What do you do now with them? We play. I focus on fitness and correct communication, with a sprinkling of small jumps and trail rides. I try to make him do things without either of us dying.

If your OTTB was a musician, who would they be? John Mayer. Sexy, failed-frat boy, college drop out, womanizer with tattoos. The clothes would hit the floor before you even knew you were being seduced. He’d show you something really, really fancy and special and then forget he knew you.

Your OTTB is on a desert horsey island. He/she can bring three items – what are they? Beer, fly protection and hay. He loves his beer!

Your OTTB is deathly afraid of… Change. For example: leaves moving, branches having fallen, cars that have been parked in a different position, lawns that have changed height, trees that have grown, squirrels, people who show up outside the pasture, or dogs who show up in the pasture. Oh, and ghosts. Because it has to be ghosts if I can’t see it, right?

Your OTTB is really brave about… Overcoming instinct to ensure my safety. He occasionally bolts and his spooks are hard, but I’ll never forget the time that a tree crashed and his two pasturemates came galloping at us, but he stood stock still and waited for directive. Also, I’m pretty sure he’d jump anything I pointed him at, though the landing and his pending response might be questionable.

If your OTTB could change one thing about his environment or training, what would it be? Bigger herd, more mares, fewer flies, better quality and increased quantity of grass, and a rider who would let him trot around in one direction with his back completely hollow.

How would your OTTB introduce themselves to a new herd of horses? Have you seen the episode of Family Guy where Meg goes to prison? No? Here’s a clip (prolly NSFW)

And finally, your OTTB makes you proud every day because… racing wasn’t kind to his body and I know that he’s got aches and pains that I haven’t found yet, but he continues to be happy to see me (and the beer/beet pulp I bring) and continues to do every single thing I ask of him.

Want to submit your OTTB to be featured on this blog? e-mail me answers to this set of interview questions and some pictures to be featured, and maybe next time you check She Moved to Texas your horse will be featured as the OTTB Spotlight of the week!