Welcome to Benchmark Sport Horses

  Classy Ghost- 3yr 16.1 h gelding sired by Ghostzapper out of a Smart Strike mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/classy+ghost2 This gorgeous boy was a $140k yearling purchase who just didn't want to be a race horse. He ran two times and did not show talent. He retired sound with no injuries and has no vices. He is pinfired.

I have to say that I was super impressed with the brain on him considering he hasn't done anything since arrival. With all the rain the horses have been stuck inside. It was chilly and windy but he was just content to walk around. If anything we had to encourage him to get going. He thought the puddle was super cool and wanted to just play.

He started out a little bit green with the steering and straightness but he picked it up so fast and really just is so balanced with a lovely natural outline. I couldn't resist the breeding as I love everything in his lines. He really is such a cute mover with a really lovely uphill balanced canter. He was so willing to figure out all the new concepts being asked of him.

He is a chunky type that appears to have a ton of growing left to do. I really like his adorable head and cute little ears. He has been so so well behaved. Super respectful manners. Great to ship. Turnout he is one of the best behaved. He is good in the wash stall, grooming, mounting, etc.

Videos- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn1ob7S32JzRG-Bjycm4W9kG
All details at www.benchmarksporthorses.com  

 Can't Pass it Up- 7yr 16.1 h gelding sired by El Padrino out of a Domestic Dispute mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/cant+pass+it+up He ran 36x making around 190k. Last raced in October but was turned out on a farm when I got him. He had his shoes pulled and was super duper sore to the point of hobbling around when he arrived. He just got his shoes on late last week and needed a little bit of a patch as he had just lost some foot. I honestly did not think he would be feeling better as quickly as he is but today he looked really eager to move around so we let him have a little workout.

He has been super great to ship, groom, wash stall, super for the farrier, stands quietly, good in turnout and great in his stall. Very personable type. Just a classy horse that really knows his job.

He was a cute mover in the free area. Honestly I know he isn't 100% just yet and it shows but feet just take time after they get that sore. We took him out for his first ride sort of thinking we were nuts considering the 30+ wind gust and the coldest day so far. He was great! Yes, he wanted to move and wasn't keen on walking but then again she didn't want to walk. Moving = warm.

He is a cute mover and makes a nice shape. Loved his canter. He has a great hind leg. I bet with a bit more time to get his feet fully recovered he is going to really be super nice. He is so sporty!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn02r6-YZBMaydZUUChtZ3VR
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all his details.  

   Intimidation- 7yr 16h gelding sired by Curlin out of a Storm cat mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/intimidation6 This horse sold for 360k and 425k. He ran 27x making over 150k. He is retiring sound and has no vices. I sort of chuckle at his name because he is about the most adorable thing ever and not at all intimidating :) He walked off the trailer at 10:30 last night and then slept most of the night. I was actually a little worried because all the horses got turned out and well that is a very very loud production. He was just snoozing flat out. Then we got to him and he popped right up like ok I guess its my turn. He is just precious!

The barn as hectic with PPE's and horses in and out this morning. He stood there just as chill as can be getting his mane pulled and groomed. The storm was blowing in but he was just as relaxed as could be for his pictures. He casually walked around until we asked him to trot and the boom well aren't you a fancy boy! He was like well I am cute and quiet but I can also really be fancy too. He showed off and then walked back to the barn just as flat footed as he walked out.

I can already tell that I LOVE this one and he is a very classy boy. His trainer raved about him and was really sad to part with him.

As expected he was just absolutely perfect and lovely for his first ride! We had a ton of rain and he thought the water puddle was super cool. He stood perfect to be tacked and great at the mounting block. He is very happy to just casually stroll around or go into the contact. He was a horse that really changed in his outline and stride length as the ride went on! He started to figure out he could come up from behind and started really pushing especially after his canters and boy did that trot open up! He had some moments that were just really so nice for a first post track ride on a 7yr. I just always love these older horses because they are so darn wise. Once they figure out the questions being asked they just really have it down and then ask ok what is next? He is a lovely mover with three quality gaits. The brain on this horse just can't be beat. He is so smart and willing. Totally the in your pocket kind that is going to be your best friend.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn11RTK1yIA5y_3IrQYMOiGE
www.benchmarksporthorses.com  

  What's His Name- 3yr 16.2 h gelding sired by Bourbon Courage out of an Outflanker mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/whats+his+name2 This lovely gelding had four starts and retired sound, no injuries and has no vices. He has been let down and had a ride or two post track. He came from a race program that is well known for putting a great start on their horses.

He just arrived recently. He shipped great. Has been great for baths, wash stall, grooming, etc. Huge thanks to Amanda Halley for putting a gorgeous clip job on him. He is a big sweet boy that looks to have a lot of growing to do but quite big bodied for a 3yr! He has been just so easy going.

He had his first ride today after a day of being stuck inside due to heavy rains. Our ring was pretty filled with water which he thought was super fun. He stood great at the mounting block. He walked quietly around and wanted to play in the water. To be honest, his ride was so short because this horse just came out and went to work. Soft, balanced, great in the bridle, lovely mover, moved off the leg and just made it so so easy on us. I always say horses are a product of the program they come from and he shows it. He is so nicely started it makes us look good :) What a super nice mover and lovely canter. I would say he is a bit butt high so I expect his shoulder will come up more as he finishes growing. He seems like he will be a horse that is just so easy to bring along with his quiet brain.

Video- https://youtu.be/-4uPGNMw230
Full details- www.benchmarksporthorses.com  

  Tick Alert- 3yr 16h mare sired by Weigelia out of a Jump Start mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/tick+alert I have had several by this sire and so has Stacy. We have always really liked them. This lovely mare had 9 starts and retired sound, no injuries and has no vices. She also came from the same race stable as What's His Name and they do an excellent job. She had one post track ride before I bought her and I thought she just looked really nice.

I will say that she is a bit more of a sensitive type but smart. She shipped down great. She stands in crossties but is more of the wiggly type. She is getting better every single day and to her defense she just arrived so I don't expect them to be perfect. She got a really nice clip done by Amanda (thank you!) and was excellent for her bath that I had given her.

She is a bit unsure about people climbing on the mounting block which her seller told me about. However, she was totally fine with us leaning on her and giving a leg up. She just needs a little bit of understanding and honestly we were just trying to bust things out today and didn't have the time to mess around with it. Her seller said they got on fine from the block just took a bit of time.

She very quietly walked around and was super interested in playing in the water. I love how this mare is put together and boy is she sporty! She is currently only wearing one shoe which is hanging by a nail but she is sound and obviously tough enough that she doesn't care. She was just so so nice in the shape she makes in her body and that hind leg is crazy good. That canter...just wow!!! This one is a horse I think will jump a big fence out of that canter. She really enjoyed going to work and seemed like having a job was going to make her very happy. She is absolutely gorgeous and I suspect she will fill out quite a bit more.
Video- https://youtu.be/2x9ldpotzEw
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details 

  Red Cents- 3yr 16.3 h gelding sired by Goldencents https://www.pedigreequery.com/red+cents This lovely boy ran 8x retiring sound with no injuries and he has no vices. He shipped from LA to KY and then KY to DE and has taken everything in stride.

I absolutely love his cute face and he is just one athletic type. I have always loved the Goldencents offspring. They tend to be athletic with great brains and he sure seems to fit the part. I suspect he is not even close to being done growing. He is quite a big 3yr and butt high at the moment so I do think he will finish 17+h.

He has been excellent for shipping, baths, grooming, wash stall, cross ties and just got hot shoes done yesterday.

He was truly lovely for his first ride considering he hasn't done much in a few weeks with all the shipping around. He stood quietly at the mounting block and strolled around. He was really confident and quiet even in his body. He started to really get the concept of stretching and relaxing through his body and just got better and better as he went. He honestly was way quieter than I thought and just very professional. He seems to just really enjoy the ride and honestly riding them just really helps them have a purpose and he took big naps after his ride yesterday :)

He is a sweet boy with a super cool personality. He really loves treats and attention.

Videos- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn1Cwv3aQYp0I_O4D1oUBRiL
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all his details.  

 Final Deception- 17.3 h (yes truly sticked) 6yr gelding sired by Finale (Scat Daddy) out of a Desert God mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/final+deception He raced 3x and retired back in 2021 sound, no injuries and has no vices. He has since been a casual use pleasure horse. My friend LOVES this horse but she simply did not have the time to keep him in the program that he needs and she thought he deserved to shine.

Watch this- https://youtu.be/ho_WwZowN9g

I posted about this one last week and honestly we took time off for the holiday and didn't have time to do anything with him since his first ride. I talked about how on his first ride we found what we commonly see in horses that are big, powerful and very very athletic. He was quite "worried" about being allowed to go forward in that he didn't trust he could and that was resulting in some behavior. Nothing bad but at 17.3 it can be super tricky to sort out. A first ride is just our evaluation to see what we have and where we want to go. I said that I thought he was a horse that would benefit from a softer bit and we did that today (Love the herm sprenger duo or similar bits that encourage them to take a bit of a hold of the bit). I want them to feel like they won't get punished for going forward. It's just about showing them it's allowed.

What I hope people can see in the two videos is everything I love about at TB. We didn't change anything but the bit but he took that first ride and he thought about it. He came into ride two with a ton more trust and understanding. Stacy said she knew right away that he was on the same page as her. He had one tiny little stuck moment in the canter but you can see she said it's okay to just go forward and he dug right into that concept.

This horse is EXCEPTIONAL. If you haven't seen his video you should check it out. I hate doing the whole WB VS TB thing because a good TB is a good TB. This is a TB that moves well enough to compete with any of the Wb's in my opinion but he is a very giant elastic powerful moving type that enjoys a rider that will bring out the best in him. He is sensitive without being dangerous or hot. He goes forward if asked properly but likely will continue to need someone who says hey buddy it's cool to just be you and not hamper his athletic ability.

He is uphill with a hind leg that just makes me drool. He isn't even in shape and he goes like this so my gosh with some fitness and muscle he is going to be unbelievable. I could go on and on about this horse because he truly is just that talented.

I have really been amazed at how amazing his manners are for a horse of his size. He is super respectful and really behaves because it would be easy not to as the weather has been changing.

We are still getting to know him. We haven't jumped him because well today was ride 2 and my ring is extremely wet from the ton of rain we have gotten. I think it would be hard to believe he won't jump as well as he moves. I really can't wait to see him jump but I know all the dressage people have been messaging me like crazy about him. If you love TB's but love dressage it is hard not to want him in your barn.

He is super kind and very snuggly. He has been great for shipping, farrier, grooming, baths and all the things in between. He is sound. No injuries. No vices. Great in turnout and in the barn.

All videos- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn02TCIMzOUQFETiKzd5nIu6

All his details are on the website www.benchmarksporthorses.com so please go there to read about him.  

 Standing Man- 6yr 16.1 h gelding sired by Verrazano out of a Rockport Harbor mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/standing+man I honestly have just loved the Verrazano offspring so much that I try to buy them when I can. They just all seem to be the athletic types that really transition easily to second careers. Standing man ran 41x making around $124k on the track. He has lost interest this year. He is retiring sound with no vices. He has a small cut on the left ankle which is causing a bit of swelling but should resolve. He also grabbed his left heel during turnout.

I instantly fell in love with his cute face and boy does he like to cuddle. He has been excellent for shipping, baths, grooming, standing in cross ties and everything in between.

I actually thought he was a much fancier mover than I expected and that is with his shoes falling off. He has since got his feet done which should help him move a ton better. He has done a lot of shipping from LA to KY and then KY to DE but he appears pretty loose in his body.

He was also excellent for his first ride. Stood quietly at the mounting block. He started out a bit upside down in his body but by the end he was almost nose on the ground stretching which is so fun to see them just figure out how to loose and use the body in one session. He really makes such a cute shape in the bridle. He is a very quiet type that is more whoa than go. Takes some leg to push everything together. He has a cute canter that is nicely balanced. He was super willing and professional about everything. Seemed to just get better and better as he went.

Videos- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn12GhiliBqLJKxWCo_l9q1_
full details www.benchmarksporthorses.com  

  Lark- 5yr 17+ h gelding sired by Social Inclusion out of a Tale of the Cat mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/lark17 I don't know an extensive story on this one. He supposedly was given to someone off the track and wasn't well take care of in that situation. Then a friend got him and put his weight back on getting him healthy again. When he came to us he honestly looked pretty good but he was so sore on his bare feet. He was just gimping around and when they are that sore it can take a bit to remedy the body which also just takes a toll from trying to relieve the weight off the feet. He is almost a month post shoes and feeling much better now!

This is a big stunningly gorgeous horse that is built absolutely solid! He appears very clean with no apparent injuries and no vices. I am not quite sure what he did for his year after his last race so we have started him back slow. He started with some lunging and then began to ride him. He has been a bit on the backburner since it has been so crazy busy but he is always a horse that is just great to ride when you get on him.

He has been excellent with grooming, baths, clippers, wash stall, cross ties, standing for the farrier, shipping and everything in between. Great in turnout and in his stall. He really is a sweet guy and is coming out of his shell more each week.

He has been great at the mounting block. He is happy to just walk around the ring. He is a very big horse with a lot of power and movement but also a horse that you can put a lot of leg on! He honestly needs to work on just figuring out how to go forward and push to the end of the bridle but we are starting to get some good moments. He has a fantastic canter! He is a horse that is uphill but he isn't quite there in terms of being soft in his body just yet. With a horse of his size it takes a bit to really teach them how to use all the parts. He is very willing and each ride is better than the last.

I suspect as his feet get better there is just a ton more movement in there but feet can be annoyingly slow to get resolved. Being barefoot can just cause a lot of bruising that doesn't go away quickly after you put shoes on. All in good time!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn2zWIz0zCPSMQHrff0-rvrj
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details.  
 

   Broken Force aka Nobby- 8 yr 16.2 h gelding sired by Broken Vow out of a Diesis mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/broken+force
Who says Tb's can't be stocky huge framed horses?  This boy has some huge huge bone and is just very wide. I honestly thought he was closer to 17h because he is just thick and uphill but he was closer to 16.2 1/2 on the stick.

He was a hurdle horse in England and was imported here in 2018. He ran both in steeplechase and timber races here. He has also done some foxhunting. He bowed his tendon which is very much old, cold and healed at this point. You likely wouldn't notice it but that is what ended his career. He was recently barefoot and just living out being a horse.

This horse has crazy extensive mileage. He has hacked everywhere, hunted, schooled gymnastics in the indoor during the winters and the list goes on and on. His training is very much like most show horses.

We have truly been enjoying starting him back up and teaching him about some different things. He is exceptionally smart and talented. He is now really starting to allow you to have a bit of a feel and ride him in a shape over his back. He has a super lovely comfortable trot. He is just not strong/fit enough to consistently hold the shape in the canter but it is starting to come. He has been hacking all around, jumping xc, jumping in the ring and just being a fun all around horse.

Nobby in my opinion is a very very quiet horse especially if you don't ask for much which can be true of some of these guys. He loves if you just let him poke around unattended and he will just ride around like a big old couch. He is more of a push ride for sure! He can look at things but it is almost just funny like Nobby come on you have been all around the country now get on with it and then he just gets on with it.

We have found him to be the same horse if you haven't been on him in a week because with the holidays/weather/schedule we have missed some time and he honestly just picks right up where he left off.

He is an absolute huge personality of a horse that I love having in the barn. I think I could teach lessons on him, hunt him, event him, trail ride and all the things. He is one of those horses you can truly just pull out and go. He isn't a dead head but he is "safe" in terms of not going to pull any moves on you.

I wish I had the time to hunt him or send him to Aiken to get him eventing. I didn't get him at the best time of year to truly show off all his talents but sometimes putting in all the flatwork really pays off for all the fun stuff later!

Videos- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn0mCA2zbH5dfz-Uy3PPEzfA
info www.benchmarksporthorses.com  
 

   Sky went off to do his first XC school and he showed exactly why I think he is a horse that has all the pieces to be an upper level horse.   Video from XC school today https://youtu.be/LSgbYpOX5aA This is a horse for a rider that wants a horse that has a HUGE scopey jump, unbelievable gallop and a canter that makes you smile. He is bold, brave and that bit of cocky we all hope to find mixed together. I have loved him from the very first ride but I guess it just hasn't really translated over to what others see. I think it can be hard to just say you know it when you sit on it but sometimes you just do. He is really just starting to show the talent we knew was in there! He has really just started jumping but boy this horse just has the natural ability we all hope to find. He has only cantered fences once but it's much easier when in an open space for them to figure it out and he was really putting it all together out there. I was most impressed with how well he handled going all around the field. He has really figured out his new job.

Devils Sky- 5yr 16h gelding sired by Into Mischief out of a aldebaran mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/devils+sky2 He sold for $135k as a yearling and then later for $250k in 2021. He actually only ran 3x. He had possibly the world's tiniest little tendon which you wouldn't know about unless I said something but come on we know there was something if they paid that money and stopped on him. The good people will always do right by the horse and they did! I pretty much feel super confident saying there is nothing about this horse that will limit a career going right up the levels.

Sometimes horses that we all absolutely love riding don't seem to appeal as much as others. I think what we all LOVE about this horse is that his canter is just unbelievable if you like an uphill super balanced sports car type of horse. That hind leg just drives his shoulders up and the power is so cool. That is the kind of canter that makes a great jump. He can sit and compact it but also open it up just as easily.

The challenge is that he is a more uphill type of horse with a big engine so he needs to learn slower steps so that he can stretch and start to elongate and put his nose out in front. He is such a soft mouth type but he also is forward thinking so it can be tough starting these types out because you need to establish the half halt and get them slow off the seat so you can make the connection long. That takes the time that it takes. Lots of low and slow work, lateral work, transitions, etc.

This horse will work all day long. His work ethic is just everything I love. He is so eager to please and just shows up each day ready for the job. He loves attention and thrives on work.

He has quite a big powerful trot but again we sort of have to tell him hey that is great that you can trot real fancy but let's learn to slow it all down and use the parts. He is learning but you don't just get that all right away.

He is a brave cocky type but is also cheeky which we all find super fun but he won't be good for someone who doesn't have a consistent riding program. He is not a naughty horse but he has an engine that really doesn't tire. The more of a program he is in the better he goes.

He has been started over jumps and he is a keen powerful brave jumper but also is learning his footwork. He still finds it a bit fun to leave a whole stride out so we are doing lots of trotting and encouraging him to find the base. The scope on him is endless but right now it is low and slow with the jumps as well.

He eats up the xc and I suspect he will just be the ultimate event horse. If you are like us you will find that you love riding him and he makes you smile with his silly antics but I think you have to appreciate this sort of horse.
videos- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn2PGjsld3tqfnX1LosQY-Sf
www.benchmarksporthorses.com  
 

 Clemenza- 6yr 16.1 h gelding sired by Malibu Moon out of a Harlan's Holiday mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/clemenza5 Clemenza raced 19x making just over $100k. He retired sound with no injuries and no vices.

I think people seek out Malibu Moon babies for exactly the reason we love him. They can seriously jump and they just really LOVE XC. We have had Clemenza in a our barn for 3 months now. I thought he would sell very quickly but then we hit a hind foot abscess that was pretty gnarly and then struggled with some sore feet from the summer conditions. I added some pads which resolved that and he is now feeling quite good. I think he has been overlooked because he does have a bit more up and down way of going which is just sort of him. It leads to having a great canter/jump but not the flashiest of trots. I am not sure that all those things really matter at the end of the day because horses are often competitive when they can just be steady in the bridle, rideable and they jump around clean.

I 100% admit our riding of him has been inconsistent because of the lack of interest he is often further down our ride list than I think he would want to be. He is a horse that LOVES a job and thrives in work. As the weather has gotten cooler and his feet feel really good he has changes into a much more forward type of horse. I think we don't mind that but I can't say I would say he is as quiet as he was when he first came here. However, with larger turnout and a heavier ride schedule I think he would probably go right back to how he was in the summer.

Clemenza has shipped off the farm to go xc schooling which he absolutely loved. He was amazing. Great to ship. Great to be tacked up. Hacked around. Absolutely braver than brave to all the jumps. Stood quietly while his friends went and all those good things. He is the type of horse that honestly doesn't say no to much so you have to like a horse like that. He is going to jump what you point him at so if you don't want one that is bold then he probably isn't right for you.

He hacks out. He is good solo or in company. He is fun to ride on the flat with his uphill way of going and his incredible work ethic. He is one of those horses that is so crazy smart and he just gets better and better as you go. His canter is one of those canters you want to ride all day long.

Clemenza has that very large personality that is typical of the Malibu Moon's. They can be a bit over the top sometimes but never really scary. You just sort of have to remind them to keep their manners in line. He loves people and is sweet but he can have a sneaky little nip here and there. He likes to bite my husband particularly which honestly I find funnier than he does lol. The more you do with him the better he behaves but if you don't do anything with him he will be a flying kite going out to the field. Every darn one of my Malibu Moon's is the same way.

He is good in the stall, good in turnout, clips, baths, grooming, good for the farrier, stands for mounting and has lot of good quality miles on him. I have reduced him down as I am eager to find him a home before winter because I think he thrives on consistency and we don't have an indoor.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn2S6boJzRrnDPfvrV145N_g

www.benchmarksporthorses.com for details.