The Behind The Stall Door series on www.coth.com has fast become an enormously popular feature, as we take you back to the barn with some of the most famous horses. Behind The Stall Door articles take you up close and personal with great candid photos and personal details of some of the sport’s biggest stars.
What Olympic show jumper loves pizza? What hunter gives pony rides to a dog? Which top show jumper naps like it’s his job? In 2016, we found out all of these things and more! Here are the top 10 most-read Behind The Stall Doors from 2016…
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#1 Thunder, The Denver Broncos Mascot As the NFL football team the Denver Broncos headed to the 2016 Super Bowl, we got up close and personal with the team’s famous mascot. Thunder (who has been represented by three different gray Arabian geldings over the years) leads the charge of the team onto the field in front of thousands of screaming fans, giving new meaning to “bombproof.” We found out Thunder III’s pre-game ritual, where he lives, and what he’s like out of the spotlight. |
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He’s the most famous dressage horse in the world right now, and we went back to the barn with him when he was in New York City in the fall. What treat has an adverse effect on him? What’s his daily schedule? What’s the famous star really like? |
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He was the most famous horse in the world after winning the Triple Crown in 2015, and after he retired to stud, we caught up with him in his retirement digs in Kentucky. Does he keep his stall tidy? Is he a mud-seeker in turn-out? We found out. ADVERTISEMENT |
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#4 The 2016 U.S. Rio Olympic Games Horses Nine of the horses who represented the United States in the Rio Olympic Games had been subjects of the Behind The Stall Door series, so as the team got ready to ship off to Brazil, we put them all together. |
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She was the break-out show jumping star of 2016 and we let you know what “Annie’s” favorite (and unusual!) snack is, which stablemate is her BFF, and more. |
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This famous show jumper earned the nickname “Monkey,” as his grooms have learned to love his playful and quirky personality. Bowing? Check. Acrobatics? Yep. Napping? Definitely. Get to know Uceko. |
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He was the off-the-track Thoroughbred who flew the U.S. flag in the Rio Olympic Games eventing. “Red’s” groom Sergio Reyes let us in on a few secrets about the talented gelding’s personality and bad habits. ADVERTISEMENT |
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His eyes are positively captivating and he has quite the cheeky personality. “Glen” might be one of the most handsome horses around, but he also has some naughty tricks up his sleeve. |
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This elegant chestnut became quite a hunter derby star this year and he’s got quite a bit of personality. Seriously, he lets a dog go for rides. |
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There might not be another top show jumper with more quirks and personality than Cristallo, Richard Spooner’s teenaged veteran. One thing is clear—Cristallo’s people have learned how to keep this opinionated star happy! |
Like these? You can read all the Behind The Stall Door articles here and the top 10 Behind Stall Doors from 2015.
See what the most popular stories on www.coth.com were in 2016—the list includes a lot of Valegro, some hilarious training wisdom, the emojis hunter judges might use, and more!
