In 2009, trainer Heather Parish and Mary Jo Cody of Spring Meadow Farms were persuaded to take on an unsuccessful three-year-old off-track Thoroughbred and help him change course.
His Jockey Club name is Good Idea but with his four white socks and big blaze, he brought some bling to the ring, so they thought he needed a stage name and he has been known as Elton (John) ever since.
Elton’s career change turned out to be a good bet.
This unsuccessful racehorse soon embraced success as a jumper. His trainer acknowledges that he had an unconventional jumping style, but his enthusiasm carried him over the fences, and he always got his rider to the other side.
Elton went on to have a successful career with several young women in the Modified Adult Jumpers, High Adult Jumper, and Thoroughbred Jumper divisions, earning numerous MHJA and Zone 6 year-end Championships, Horse Show Championships, and Classic wins, including WEC and MHHS.
Elton turned out to be a wonderful teacher, in and out of the show ring. Libby Collins, Alyssa Franz, and Anne Steeves all leased him at some time and learned the ropes in the jumper ring.
Laura Critchett began riding him in 2016 for her birthday lesson and, after graduating from vet school, she eventually bought him. The two have been the perfect match, with an undeniable connection from the start.
These days, his show appearances are limited because of Laura’s summer work schedule. Elton stays close to home in the winter, attending to his duties of keeping the other horses in line, begging for cookies, and sticking his head out the window.
Last winter he even began helping teach an 8-year-old to ride and care for a horse.
Join us in congratulating Elton who loves this coliseum, probably his favorite place to show.
See what This Old Horse can do!