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Otto & Jake's StoryOtto, Jake and Technyflex “Imperial Express" aka Otto was retired to the paddock at 18 years of age with an unsound fetlock. l had instructed Otto and his young rider Bree Harker from the beginning of their partnership, which was to last many successful years. Bree and Otto went on to win many championships at Royals, State titles etc, and became a very competitive and winning combination in EFA comps, Shows and Equitations, despite Bree still being a junior and then a young rider. Otto’s retirement was a real blow to Bree, but Otto was unsound and remained so for 3 years. Enter 12 year old Jake Hunter. He informed Otto’s owners that “Ashley had a product called Technyflex" that he thought would help Otto and take his soreness away. So Otto went to live with Jake and Mum Gail Hunter. Jake knew about the powers of Technyflex from his previous horse who had also been pulled out of retirement at a similar age by Ashley and given to a very young 7 year old Jake. He was “Tecco" and he was, l believe, the horse who gave young Jake his wonderful showjumping start. He too, was unsound in the paddock till going onto Technyflex.
Otto was taken to Jake's place and ridden lightly but was still lame by day four, so Gail, Jake’s mum, rang me for Technyflex and Otto was put on to his Technyflex routine. Imagine our excitement when, after 3 years of unsoundness, Otto came sound day 4 of his Technyflex treatment. We couldn’t believe it. We had dared to hope he would, but on seeing the size and degree of calcification in his fetlock joint, I must admit to being very sceptical that he would come sound. But day 4 he did and he has remained sound ever since. He was so sound in fact that in 2008 he and young Jake went on to numerous prestigious wins such as * Champion A grade Singleton PC championships. This all culminated in Jake's selection as the youngest ever rider to represent Australia in Showjumping at the “ World Youth Showjumping" in Bogota, Columbia. Placings included a win and a third. Otto remains sound whilst ever he is on the Technyflex and had his last winning championship with young Jake, at the National Pony Club Titles in Sydney last year (2009). He has now been passed on to Jake’s younger brother, Cade, at the ripe old age of 23 and continues to be sound on Technyflex and of course still winning... and all on his daily dose of only 2.5 grams of Technyflex. He is alert, happy and full of life, and the most wonderful, knowing old horse l have ever known. He still has a twinkle in his eye and a keenness to beat the clock whenever he hears the bell - how l wish we could clone him, so many other youngsters could have the experience of a lifetime with such a magnificent old horse. Otto will remain on Technyflex for the rest of his life, even when he is finally retired. He will, of course, will be the judge of that, but right now he is full of the joys of life and winning that Blue Sash is his only objective. His now junior rider, Cade and he are a formidable team as the old horse so knows his job. He really is an Australian National Equine Treasure. Well done Otto and long may you Reign.
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