Boyd Martin’s 2012 London Olympic Games partner Otis Barbotiere has found a new career as a jumper with young rider Ali Boone, and the gelding is currently leased out to her. Martin explained on his blog that the 13-year-old Selle Français gelding (Quidam De Revel—Java Barbotiere, Veneur De Baugy) owned by the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate was matched up with Boone after her trainer, Lauren Hough, had him in her barn in Florida this winter.

With Martin, “Otis” placed third at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and represented the United States at the Olympics, but he didn’t complete there. They went on to place 15th at the Luhmühlen CCI**** (Germany) last year.

Hough showed the gelding, who was bred as a show jumper in France, in a class at the Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.) this winter before Boone took on the lease. Boone and Otis have already competed together at the Kentucky Spring horse show in early May, where they jumped in a few low amateur-owner jumper classes.

“I’m so happy for Otis and Ali as they seem to be the perfect pair,” said Martin. “It’s brilliant to see Otis continuing his competitive career as he is definitely a horse that loves to be out and about in the limelight. On top of that he’s partnered up with a really good rider who will gain excellent mileage and benefit from his experience.

“We’d very much like to thank Lauren Hough for redirecting his career,” he added. “Without Lauren’s expertise we definitely would not have been able to place Otis in this ideal situation. Lastly I would very much like to thank the 10 shareholders in the Otis syndicate who have supported him since his purchase in 2011. I’m proud to get them some money back and if things go well, we may be in a situation where we can lease him again or sell him this time next year.”