Standardbred horses are well known for their versatility, and that was proven yet again on a recent weekend when Lost Privilege, an adopted 11-year-old Abercrombie gelding now known as 'Syd,' made his first

camping trip.

Syd, a successful placement by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, is now owned by Sue Aldis Simpson who reports that Syd handled his first trip camping, to Ganaraska, like he’d been doing it all his life.

“He was an absolute gentleman,” Simpson reported. “He didn’t spook at the ATVs and dirt bikes on the trail. He camped like he’d done it every day of his life, ate and drank like a pro, lead, tailed and hung in the middle without fussing (or biting or kicking) although he made evil faces at the other horses. Another rider called it his 'psych out face' but none of the other horses were threatened by it!

“If it wasn’t for his funny, funky trot (kinda loose and rolling) I’d trade my Arabs for more standardbreds. He got a lot of compliments on the trail for being such a good looking, well-mannered guy. We roached his mane last year and did it again this spring and he looks much more handsome now.

“Thank you again for such a wonderful horse.”

To view Syd's racelines, when he was known as Lost Privilege and won 21 of 120 career starts, click here.

Since its inception in 1996, OSAS has found homes for hundreds of retired standardbreds that serve as companion horses, trial, show and riding horses and now, campers.

(OSAS)