Mounting

 

Soledad the Equestrian

 

More Equestrian Soledad O'Brien

 

Her horses, being ridden by her, her children or riders in competitions, are often the photo subject on Soledad O'Brien's social media.

Back in the Saddle

Soledad O'Brien, an avid equestrian and owner of several horses, frequently posts photos on her Instagram account of herself (and sometimes her daughter) and their horses in action.

Soledad: Equestrian

Soledad O'Brien is an avid equestrian. Not every ride ends happily. She had taken a fall after a bull charged her horse (Yes, really). But she gets back in the saddle!

Seven weeks after fracturing her tibia and two weeks
after getting off crutches, Soledad was back on a horse

Photos via https://twitter.com/soledadobrien

Soledad O'Brien, Equestrian, Speaks on Thoroughbred Aftercare

August issue of 'Heels Down' magazine "Soledad O’Brien, From the Newsroom to the Tack Room"

Equestricon, the first and only fan festival to celebrate the sport of horse racing, was held in Saratoga Springs, NY August 13-15. Soledad O'Brien spoke about thoroughbred rescue and aftercare.

Her keynote address on the second day of the three-day festival at the Saratoga Springs City Center was about what the industry calls "aftercare" or a thoroughbred's life after its usefulness on the track is spent.

"It's not something that people in racing like to talk about," said O'Brien who owns two retired race horses. "But if the horses aren't rescued after they're off the track, they are slaughtered."

Soledad on Aspen

her own rescues, thoroughbreds 9-year-old Joey and 11-year-old Dezi, were retrained as jumpers for her teen daughters who regularly ride.

with rescue racehorse Joey

"Horse rescue is exactly what is not talked about," say Soledad. "Let's discuss it and talk about the real challenges and the real solutions. You don't need to be a professional. You just have to love horses. It's a really wonderful thing."

Soledad with her horse, Aspen

Soledad with Sebastian, a 13 year-old Canadian warmblood

Soledad and Her Thoroughbreds

Soledad on "Joey"  Photo by Melissa Hogan

Soledad O'Brien did an interview with  OffTrackThoroughbreds.com and talked about how her love of horses has led her to adopt two Thoroughbreds that might have ended up slaughtered otherwise.

“It’s amazing to me that horses like mine could be slaughtered. Horses that are really a throw-away for some people are, for our family, horses that we’ll have forever.”

Soledad returned to her childhood love of riding when she received an imported Warmblood, as a 45th birthday present from her husband.

Unfortunately, in 2010,the mare spooked and in a fall O’Brien tore her knee badly.

It also damaged her confidence. Her Warmblood was a bit too much horse for her, but when she decided to find another riding horse (her Warmblood is being leased), they found Sedona, a five year old mare at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue. Soledad and Sedona hit it off  and was soon at her upstate New York farm.

Now, Aoja, whose barn nickname is Joey, has also found a home with the O’Briens. This adopted bay, described as “bombproof” by O’Brien, has become a favorite with her two daughters.

“Sophia (12) is a shy rider, with a long, beautiful leg. He goes much slower for her. And 10 year old Cecelia is the gymnast who wants to go faster and is teaching him to jump cross-rails,” she says, adding that not only does he accommodate their styles, but also those of their friends. She even rides him herself from time to time.

“When you’re riding, you can’t do three things at once. You can’t be texting and emailing. All you can do is ride. It’s amazing. I like the idea of learning and focusing and figuring it out.”