Peter Pletcher: "Turn Master!"

Granted, Uncle Sam may seem an unusual choice for inclusion into my collection of famous 1990s sport-horses here...

...but I decided to include him in part for the novelty of seeing Peter Pletcher in a huge jumper class (I'd never even known he did much of that, at the time) and also for the INCREDIBLE turns he succeeds in getting this horse to perform. In particular, the turn at 0:24, not a single other horse (including the victor) was able to perform a 3step rollback from that fence. Truly amazing!

The winning round, by Ian Millar and Mistral, can be seen in the following clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN69s3EmQms

Footage is from the Gambler's Choice of the 1995 Washington International Horse Show.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Peter
• Pletcher
• hunter
• jumper
• rider
• equestrian
• horse
• showjumper
• showjumping
• show
• Ian
• Millar
• Captain
• Canada
• Joker
• turner
• fast

[MsDelidog]

Uncle Sam was Always such a Nice,Kind Willing horse,Loved those Ears!! When they pointed forward...you Went!! :)....he was not young in this video either...He was at a barn I worked at in 84,he was a youngster.....this was 95

[ImmortalSynn]

@MsDelidog

How neat that you knew him. I'm guessing he's no longer with us by this point, no?

[pinkweaselgirl]

god, those are intense rollbacks...amazing animal

[ImmortalSynn]

...who, him, or the horse? ;)

[horsecrazy914]

are you allowed to come into the jump anyway you like?

[ImmortalSynn]

If you possess several decades of experience, thus allowing you to setup for your next jump regardless... that as opposed to, say: just enough of such to sit back on an internet forum and criticize someone of ~far~ greater talent than yourself... then I'm sure the answer is "yes, you can".

[Emmerzon]

That horse could barrel race! Holy smokes!

[diangofango]

Oh my, this horse reminds me of my old showjumper, she could turn like that to.

Only problem was that she was like Ratina Z, all speed and not a lot of control.

She would turn only on where you put your weight in the stirrups.

I'll never get one like her again.....

[MsDelidog]

I am uncertain if Uncle Sam is still with us...I am only guessing based on the timeline...He was 5 or 6 in 84,and this video is from 1995....the math says he might not be...though some horses do live to very old ages....Uncle Sam was always one of the great ones...he had a Winning Carreer with Peter Pletcher.They did Great at Indoors,won the Pres. Cup one year if memory serves me well....and did Great at Spruce Meadows..One of My Favorites!!

[pocopony2003]

I love that he doesn't have to rip his horse around either. He just uses lots and lots of leg and directing. Nicely done.

[ebhandparker]

Man, great jumper.

[equestrianequine]

Awesome turns! Just a stride after, he really sits back and turns!!! I couldn't do that. One of my favorite horses to ride is horrible at turning! A horse like that is awesome for jumpers! My friend has a horse like that, but that was really cool!

[AdrenalineArt]

Nahh, i take the impulsion comment back after a re-watch, the horse just comes straight back after the fence and allowing Peter to just turn him on a six-pense. Great combination, good stuff :D

[AdrenalineArt]

That was interesting? He turned so tight but could do so because his horse was so relaxed and hadnt picked up a great amount of impulsion. Ofc not the greatest of jumpers but DAYUM they can turn. Hehe, realy enjoyed it. That guy can ride :D 5*s