Trial And Error Farms

11/15/2024

We currently have 3 really great sport horse prospects available all sound and can go in any direction. I am currently 7 months pregnant and would love to lighten the barn work before my non-horsey husband takes over of the barn for the next few months. Now is an excellent time to find your winter project so you’re ready for the show ring come spring! Please note- I am currently restricted on all riding and limited on physical activity so no new videos will be available.

1. Inspector - 4 year old 16.2-16.3 OTTB gelding. Uncomplicated both on the ground and under saddle. Forward athletic but responsive ride. Has been free jumped 3’6” and jumped under saddle 2’6”. He has a natural balance to his canter that makes it easy to see a fence out of but doesn’t get offended if you make a mistake. High 🥕,🥕🥕🥕.
- https://youtu.be/T_RJl7E94vY?feature=shared

2. Clay kicker - 3 year old 16.1-16.2 ottb gelding. He is THICK and has quite a bit of growing left to do, so he will have no problem taking up the leg for a taller rider. He is forward under saddle and quite green as he’s only 3 but he’s very willing. Has not seen poles yet and won’t see them till he grows up a bit. Should make a fun project horse for a competent rider! Mid 🥕,🥕🥕🥕.
- https://youtu.be/krnuJ-M5CjE?feature=shared

3. Poppy - 5 year old 16h ottb gelding. This guy has been with me since summer of last year. He has been mostly on the back burner and has received plenty of turn out and let down time. He has clean legs with no known prior injuries, happily going barefoot. Hes been free jumped 3’6” with ease but has not been jumped under saddle. Hes a forward ride, responsive to leg and likes a quiet hand. I’d love to find this guy his person ASAP so he is low 🥕,🥕🥕🥕 starting with a 2.
- https://youtu.be/PDjvVNLpgGo?feature=shared

All of these guys are located in Columbia station Ohio.

09/08/2024

Clay (jc clay kicker)
3 year old
16.1-16.2 ottb gelding
Columbia station Ohio
$6750

Clay is a 3 year old, 16.1-16.2 ottb gelding. This boy is THICK and believes that food is life. He is an incredibly easy keeper and will eat every piece of hay that is given to him. He has a very large barrel to him and has no problem taking up a riders leg. Clay is super easy to handle on the ground and a pleasure to have in the barn. He’s super friendly and wants the attention from whoever may have snacks, though he is very respectful and doesn’t get mouthy when begging! He gets along with every horse in the field and is the bottom of the totem pole. He does well with dominant horses and keeps to himself in the field.

Hes just as easy and sweet under saddle, he’s only 3 and naturally fairly green but he tries hard to figure out what his riders asking. He’s a happy medium of kick and go, uncomplicated in the bridle, and responsive to the riders leg aids. I think this boy will be a fairly easy restart for an experienced rider.

Clay has no limitations and can go in any direction that his rider wants! Due to his size, age, and current training level I would not recommend him for a beginner, inexperienced or timid rider. This guy will be perfect for an experienced rider who is looking for their next project.

Clay is located in Columbia station Ohio and listed for $6750

09/08/2024

Poppy B
5 year old, ottb, gelding
Columbia station, Ohio
Clean legs and barefoot!
💲2️⃣7️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ firm

Poppy B is a 5 year old, approx 16h ottb gelding. This boy has it all; the looks, temperament and athleticism. He just screams sport horse and I can really see him killing it in the show ring! Poppy has been with me since last summer and has had plenty of let down time and a chance to fill out. He is a super easy keeper and has packed on quite a bit of weight since being here. We pulled his shoes when the ground turned to pure mud and he never had an off day! The plan is to leave him barefoot until the ground gets hard again.

Last fall/summer poppy B had a ton of turn out with friends, he was the bottom of the pack and one that I knew could go out with any horse. He was incredibly easy to handle in any respect and anyone could bring him in or turn him out. Now that we’re in the tail end of winter, poppy has a bit of spring fever and is anxious to get back to full day turn out. He can be a bit mouthy/nippy and needs an occasional reminder about boundaries. He would be fine for someone who is comfortable handling young horses but not suitable for an inexperienced beginner.

Under saddle poppy is a forward thinking horse that rides off of the leg/seat. He’s still figuring out how to accept a consistent connection in the bridle and prefers a rider with a quiet soft hand. He can sometimes try to avoid the contact by tossing his head but responds nicely when the rider adds leg and pushes him forward into the connection. He is not the type that you can “force” into the connection with the hand as he forgets about his feet and focuses on his mouth.

note: poppy does have non-clinical kissing spine. He has absolutely NO symptoms and it was only found during a PPE with baseline X-rays. He does not get any form of maintenance or special treatment for it right now. He is happy to go forward and work without question and doesn’t mind you poking and prodding his back. He is willing and happy to stretch and use his back without issue. We would most likely have never known he has KS without blind X-rays! His 🥕 has been adjusted with the finding and an absolute steal for a rider who is willing to take the chance on this amazing guy!

He is located in Columbia Station and in the low x,###

Updated video 4/5/24

https://youtu.be/fFu652LgdlQ?feature=shared

09/08/2024

Daisy is a 14.2H Appaloosa 5 year old mare. Daisy has been in professional training with me since October of 2023. Daisy is currently schooling training level dressage, cantering small fences, has a simple change and starting on lateral movements.

Under saddle Daisy is uncomplicated in the bridle and easy to get onto the bit. She is a slight kick ride and does best with either a whip or spur though it’s not required to get her to move. Daisy is very smart under saddle and tries to stay one step ahead of her rider and anticipate the next dressage move, she needs a rider who can remind her to wait for the queue before she assumes the next move. She has solid understanding of basic dressage movements including: serpentines (shallow and 3 loop), figure 8s, half turn changes of directions, diagonals, stretch circles etc. I have started her at the walk on leg yield, shoulder in and haunches in. Daisy has started on her simple changes but we have not started or tried flying changes yet.

Daisys favorite thing is jumping! I think this girl would really enjoy either a hunter career or an event horse/pony club career. She is not quite ready to take on a young rider/beginner or timid rider right now as she does have some green moments but she is a horse that you can hit the winter series for some fun schooling shows!

**Please note**- I do not own Daisy and am solely listing for a client. All inquires and further questions must be directed to Brandon Smrekar at +1 (330) 780-7204.

Daisy is located in litchfield Ohio and is $7500.

Daisy cantering fences and simple changes:

https://youtu.be/6CzD650gBY4?feature=shared

Daisy training level dressage movements

https://youtu.be/-9TwgSJOOCo?feature=shared

Brandon Smrekar

08/15/2024

Inspector (JC: inspector) is a 4 year old 16.2H bay/roan gelding. This guy has some very cool coloring to him when you see him in person. From a distance he looks like a bay but up close he has grey flecks throughout his entire coat!

Inspector is as easy as they come. Uncomplicated under saddle, easy to handle on the ground, quiet in his stall, quiet in the field with friends or alone, sweet loving personality. I, honestly, don’t have a single negative point about him! He has no vices, no soundness issues, no known prior injuries, no behavioral issues etc. He is the type of horse that I pull out when I just want something easy to ride and handle. He stands quiet on the cross ties for what ever you need to do; waits patiently if you have to stop and do something, never tries to push past you on the ground. I really don’t think this horse has ever told me no!

Under saddle, he is as simple as they come for restarts. He’s a semi forward ride, only in the sense that if you say go forward, he will go without question, but he will just as happily come back and stop! He starts out a little bit heavy in the bridle but after the warm up he will happily take a feel of the connection and stay on the bride.

I set up a jump chute for some free jump video, I never had to send him! He just went around and kept going back thru the chute himself. He ended up maxing out my standards at 3’6” with ease! I decided to pop him over some fences under saddle and he happily cantered over a 2’3 oxer without question. He never changed his pace within the canter, before or after the fence. I missed a few distances and he can definitely take a joke, he never got offended! He has the natural balance to his canter that makes seeing your distance so much easier, especially on a baby.

This guy is going to be a very fun and easy restart for an experienced rider, I can see him killing it in eventing, dressage, hunter/jumpers and should take his rider to the top levels with ease!

He is located in Columbia station Ohio and priced firm at $9500.

08/02/2024

***SOLD***

Simon (JC: Super Unison)
4 year old
16.2 ottb gelding
Columbia station, Ohio
$6750

Simon (JC: Super Unison) is a 4 year old 16.2H ottb gelding. This boy is THICK in his build and has no problem taking up leg. On the ground he is a sweet, curious and gently playful type that hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving. He loves having friends and is quiet in group or solo turn out. He’ll play occasionally but he’s more interested in food and typically doesn’t leave the hay bag or grazing.

Even though he is large in his build he does have his own motor and is more of a forward ride. Feel free to ride with a whip or give him the occasional kick if needed but he’ll respond as soon as you put your leg on. He doesn’t mind you taking a feel of his mouth, however, I’m working on getting him to lengthen and open up his stride so he responds better to a softer contact. His biggest issue under saddle is that he does have a tendency to want to drift in his shoulder and take you to the wall. We have been working on straightness in the body and would benefit from a rider who can help him find his balance off the wall.

Simon hasn’t offered any buck, rear, bolt, or spook under saddle. However, His rider needs to remember that he is still a baby and getting used to off the track life. He can get tense under saddle and needs a gentle reminder to lengthen his stride. He will be an easy restart for an experienced and confident rider who has experience bringing along a young horse. I would not recommend him for a beginner, timid or inexperienced rider.

Simon had a PPE completed when he came off the track in March and has a few X-rays that were taken at the same time; he is cleared for any discipline!

Simon is located in Columbia station Ohio and in the mid 🥕,🥕🥕🥕.

Video WTC under saddle
https://youtu.be/1IaKfb4oxoI?feature=shared

06/04/2024

After seeding our pastures this spring we had to wait to open them till June 1st. Safe to say they are happy they are finally open!

04/23/2024

We have two new arrivals who we will be listing later this week! Both are big boys with no limitations! Wait until you see their short videos, they are pretty great 🫣. Which one is your pick?!

04/18/2024

Peter D
5 year old
16.2+, OTTB, Gelding
Columbia Station, Ohio
$6500

Peter D is a 5 year old 16.2+H OTTB gelding. He came to us in the fall of 2023 and has been enjoying plenty of let down and a light restart under saddle. Even though this guy sticks almost right at 16.2H he is very bit bodied with a tall pole, he looks and feels like a 17H horse!

Peter D has it all, the looks, movement and temperament to be someone’s true heart horse and partner! He seems like he would be game to try anything or everything that his rider wants to do. He would be the type that gets noticed anywhere he goes.

Under saddle he is more of a kick ride and needs the reminder from his rider to keep moving forward. He has excellent breaks and will stop on a dime if asked. You do not have to nag him to go forward nor has he ever planted his feet, he is just the type that If you stop riding or take your leg off he’ll simply come down to a trot or walk. He does have a tendency to carry his pole rather high and collected when he moves, so it is very easy for the rider to accidentally ride him past the vertical. He is not the type that “curls” or avoids the pressure, it just takes a bit of getting used to from the riders point on how far to ask him to collect.

Please note that Peter does have arthritis in his knees that will limit him to a lower level type of career. While he may not be your upper level jumper he would be perfect for someone who wants to go out and have fun at different things including low level eventing or hunter paces. He does not get any type maintenance or supplements but it could be needed sometime in the future. X-rays are available for serious inquiries!

Peter is a very large and green young horse, he doesn’t have any major vices or spook/buck/rear/bolt, however, if he gets nervous he tends to build himself up and stand taller. Due to his already enormous size this could easily intimidate some riders or handlers. He is not suitable for a beginner, inexperienced, or unconfident rider or handler.

Updated video WTC

https://youtu.be/7-s_k2jlqJQ?feature=shared

03/21/2024

Welcome Microbeastie! This guy arrived last week and has settled in quite nicely. We were able to swing a leg over and do his first ride today, he’s going to be special 💕

02/29/2024

Congratulations to Buckeye on finding his person!! We cannot wait to follow these guys, I see big fences in their future!!!

02/24/2024

Congratulations to churro on finding his perfect person!!! We love this boy so much and he has more than earned his own girl!! Can’t wait to see what these two accomplish together!

02/14/2024

02/14/2024

4 year old
Ottb gelding
Columbia station, Ohio
2️⃣7️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ firm

Poppy B is a 4 year old, approx 16h ottb gelding. This boy has it all; the looks, temperament and athleticism. He just screams sport horse and I can really see him killing it in the show ring! He’s been so easy around the barn since he arrived. He stood tied while I pulled his mane, quiet to tack up, fine with fly spray, happy with solo or group all night turn out, you name it. He is a narrow petite type of build but with the way he has packed on the lbs since arriving I think he’ll take up leg just fine once he fills out!

Undersaddle he is a forward-ish thinking horse that responds more to leg than rein aids. He does have a bit of a drift through the shoulder right now but with a light tap on the outside aids he listens immediately. I don’t think it will take much to get the drift to go away! He doesn’t fully understand concept of connection but listens extremely well to the riders leg queues. He is just starting to figure out he can stretch down over his back and accept the riders hand. Give him 30 days of consistent work and he will catch on quickly! He has a long lofty trot stride that feels like he’s covering a ton of ground. He hasn’t shown any naughty behavior, never threatened to buck/rear/bolt etc.

note: poppy does have non-clinical kissing spine. He has absolutely NO symptoms and it was only found during a PPE with baseline X-rays. He does not get any form of maintenance or special treatment for it right now. He is happy to go forward and work without question and doesn’t mind you poking and prodding his back. He is willing and happy to stretch and use his back without issue. We would most likely have never known he has KS without blind X-rays! His 🥕 has been adjusted with the finding and an absolute steal for a rider who is willing to take the chance on this amazing guy!

He is located in Columbia Station and in the low x,###

Video WTC:
https://youtu.be/QzPZYURj_C0?feature=shared

_____________________

11/17/2023

****SOLD*****

Coming 4 year old
16-16.1h ottb gelding
Columbia station, Ohio
5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

Buckeye (jc:buckeye don) is a 3 year old 16-16.1h ottb gelding. I’m going to start with OMG is this guy athletic and screams sport horse!! He never saw poles or jump before in his life but I had a jump chute set up so I figured why not see what his response would be. The hardest part about the jump chute was stopping him after!! He LOVED it, every fence didn’t seem to impress him enough and he barely had to try. I found myself raising it higher and higher before realizing I was about to max out the standards. Even at 3’ I felt like he barely had to try and could easily go higher. He loved very second of it and showed that jumping is definitely in his future calling.

Under saddle he is exactly what you would expect from a 3 year old right off the track tb. He tries to get everything right but honestly has no idea what your asking for. He doesn’t turn at this stage but I’m sure that will go away quickly! He thinks he knows what leg means but will need a frequent reminder from his rider. he’s not the type that I’ll sit here and say “kick ride, needs spur or whip” but the type ill say needs a more solid understanding that leg means forward. he tries so hard to understand what his rider wants so we just keep it simple and let him know he’s doing a good job. I think once he understands what his rider is asking he’s going to be such a fun horse for the future! I believe he’s the type that would really benefit from starting from the ground up, which is perfect for the winter project!

He is located in Columbia Station Ohio and listed in mid 🥕,🥕🥕🥕

Video WTC

https://youtu.be/P6wHUkQ9Nzk

11/17/2023

RRP eligible
4 year old
Ottb gelding
Columbia station, Ohio
3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

Poppy B is a 4 year old, approx 16h ottb gelding. This boy has it all; the looks, temperament and athleticism. He just screams sport horse and I can really see him killing it in the show ring! He’s been so easy around the barn since he arrived. He stood tied while I pulled his mane, quiet to tack up, fine with fly spray, happy with solo or group all night turn out, you name it. He is a narrow petite type of build but with the way he has packed on the lbs since arriving I think he’ll take up leg just fine once he fills out!

Undersaddle he is a forward-ish thinking horse that responds more to leg than rein aids. He does have a bit of a drift through the shoulder right now but with a light tap on the outside aids he listens immediately. I don’t think it will take much to get the drift to go away! He doesn’t fully understand concept of connection but listens extremely well to the riders leg queues. He is just starting to figure out he can stretch down over his back and accept the riders hand. Give him 30 days of consistent work and he will catch on quickly! He has a long lofty trot stride that feels like he’s covering a ton of ground. He hasn’t shown any naughty behavior, never threatened to buck/rear/bolt etc.

note: poppy does have non-clinical kissing spine. He has absolutely NO symptoms and it was only found during a PPE with baseline X-rays. He does not get any form of maintenance or special treatment for it right now. He is happy to go forward and work without question and doesn’t mind you poking and prodding his back. He is willing and happy to stretch and use his back without issue. We would most likely have never known he has KS without blind X-rays! His 🥕 has been adjusted with the finding and an absolute steal for a rider who is willing to take the chance on this amazing guy!

He is located in Columbia Station and in the low x,### starting with a 3.

Video WTC:
https://youtu.be/QzPZYURj_C0?feature=shared

11/14/2023

**update!** I ran out of day light yesterday and had to finish the last two today. Peter and spirit had their turn thru the chute. Now who would you choose?!**

Buckeye, Poppy b and Churro had their first ever free jump and first time seeing a proper fence! I think it’s safe to say any one of them could kill it in the jumper ring! Which one would you choose?!