SHOWJUMPING: insane saves -- the Oxer TwoStep!

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: @ImmortalSynn
Remarkable footage of two different horses putting their feet into the middle of gigantic oxers (spread-jumps) and bouncing out, for a clean round!
Scene One:
PIÑON KATJA - Mark Laskin
(0:40 into the video clip)
1995 Brookside Classic
Scene Two:
EVEREST TWOSTEP - Michael Whitaker
(1:49 into the video clip)
1995 du Maurier Limited International
The fence at which TwoStep performed his twostep, was the bogey of the course-- nearly all the horses who had faults throughout that course, got them on that particular fence. It was a 5'3"tall-6'6"wide oxer positioned in front of the in-gate but angled away from it. Every horse wanted to drift towards the in-gate, and if that wasn't corrected before liftoff, then they would have to jump the fence at an angle, increasing the spread that they would have to cover by a tremendous (and usually insurmountable) margin. The du Maurier truly was THE professionals' championship of the showjumping world!
Another spectacular clear round on this same course can be seen here:
• Easy Boy & Laura Balis...
"Easy Boy: 1995 du Maurier Limited International"
Katja went on to place 3rd in the jumpoff, whereas (the aptly named!) TwoStep went on to win, what was at that time, the richest grand prix showjumping competition in the world!
As always, don't forget to check out the crazily-cute baby of the barn:
• BABY SHOWJUMPING: the ...

[@Lizzie200292]

I have seen horse's do this with their front legs too! Almost as if "Oh, there is another rail!" They saved it though... amazingly.

[@erikakrausmann5177]

Anyone who doubts the intelligence of horses doesn't really know them. Whether it was coincidence or just blind luck, that horse did in fact drop it's hind legs "within" that oxer. Did the horse know to do this? Perhaps, but one thing remains clear, he did save that difficult jump and that is rather remarkable to say the least. Owing to the fact that these courses and obstacles are sometimes very difficult to navigate, a good mount, one that is trained well, can make all the difference in whether or not one remains fault free with a clean ride. For it's efforts, I award this particular horse 5 stars for an outstanding effort. ☆☆☆☆☆🎩

[@horselover4492]

Erika Krausmann horses are pretty darn smart especially the escape artist 😂

[@janicefreedom8665]

I love that you called it "Oxer twostep" and Wittaker was riding Everest Two-step. I wonder if that horse does it often and got it's name that way LOL

[@ImmortalSynn]

Agree... very tough horse, couldn't imagine heading to one of those mammoth fences on a horse like that. He also had the fastest first-round time, so yeah, moved at lightning pace too.

[@MaritsView]

Beautiful! Look at these horses doing leg skills! Best moments: 00:56 / 02:53

[@rosemalinofsky3091]

It's like they thought, wait this doesn't feel how the jumped looked I better kick my legs back up.

[@nik0022A]

not at that height but at 1.15m one of my horses dropped AND pulled the front out if the oxer leaving it standing

[@KeeneDressage]

What Heart! What honest amazing horses to try that hard! Just goes to show, you can't force a horse to do this, they really love their jobs!

[@equiner7]

Incredible two step!! Thanks for posting 'old' footage. It is nice to watch the jumpers from the past!

[@blake_cosplays]

that first one was AWESOME

[@ImmortalSynn]

She was! You can see more of her in my video "The Great Pinon Pantheon"

[@eagle003]

I've seen it a couple of times! It's unbelievable how those horses can calculate where to stretch those legs ;)

[@19RideTheLightning82]

Thank you so much! I am greatly looking forward to viewing the videos. Its funny, I am actually heading down to High Prairie in a few hours and I will be showing there for the rest of the week, so it will be doubly cool to see not only Hap and Pikadero, but the pair at High Prairie! Thank you so much again for sharing your videos. You have a truly amazing collection!

[@ImmortalSynn]

...indeed: was sorta crazy/neat to see Katja do that and marvel over it for a while, and then see the exact same thing in the very next horseshow that I see!

[@jch12341]

that chestnut mare in the beginning is gorgeous.

[@BiteTheDirt]

Nick is a legend.

[@mariapalladino2473]

Wow!!!! Horse are so insanely intelligent and beautiful. Just love!!!

[@unbridged77]

One time at the Del Mar National HBO Prix Ali Nilforushan's horse knocked the front pole of the oxer off and as it was falling, double kicked it back into the cups. It was such a crazy save!

[@StFidjnr]

@ 1:48 I think everything the Whitaker family does they have to go to the list of great inventers

[@321BookLover]

These are amazing horses! Very talented; to be so aware of the jump and their feet placement, it's mind-blowing to see. :)

[@MultiHorseCrazy101]

I love watching stuff from spruce meadows

[@2101lovelilly]

this happened in a recent jumping comp too, it was a mare and she was going fast for it not being a jump off, and her legs went right down the middle of the oxer of the last jump, she was going so fast that the comentators didn't see it nor was there a good angle of it but after seeing it bout 5x i got it : D amazing, horses do luv there jobs : D

[@SobriquetF1]

Holy COW! "Everest Two Step" - never truer to his name was there another horse!

[@lizavp]

These horses was born to jump XD! And they enjoy it!

[@savvyclubgirl1975]

AWESOME!!! Now that's what you call 'Effort'!!!

[@19RideTheLightning82]

WOW! I just saw the same thing happen live at the $40,000 Rocky Mountain Grand Prix last month. The horse jumped the oxer clean - amazing!

[@MarkRobertCuthbert]

you really like your jumping ImmortalSynn - Thanks for putting up all the jumping videos. - ahh Michael Whitaker the great brother of John - Michael won the du Marier Grand Prix also in '89 on the great Irish bred gelding Mon Santa (by Hard Study TB xx)

[@jjeherrera]

Such noble horses!!!

[@StrikingDiamond]

wow thats unbelievable. the craziest video ive seen so far. thanks for posting these :)

[@bigloverxD]

amazing and beautiful. Those two words make up horse jumping.

[@ImmortalSynn]

Thanks. I'm currently in the process of moving to California, but I have much more to (eventually) upload, and will be back at it soon.

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

God Bless Everest Two Step! I hope when he got back to the barn, someone gave him a jumbo size bucket of whatever the hell he wants!!!! LOLOL!! Goodness Gracious!!!

[@19RideTheLightning82]

Excellent! I will stay tuned for your posting(s) of Hap and Amerika 7. If you find the one of Hap and Pikadero at Spruce Meadows I would greatly enjoy viewing. Thank you for posting all of your wonderful videos!

[@ImmortalSynn]

Interesting that you would say that. The fall I'm referring to was also at Spruce Meadows, at the 1995 Nortel High Speed Stakes. It was from a horse called "Owner Operator," who HATED the soupy footing of the day, and planted Ali head over heels with his arms held back over his head. If he would've rotated another 90 degrees, he would've hit the ground neck-first without his hands to break the fall. It was scary. But yeah, when he got up, he was pisssssed-- and the camera zoomed right in! lol

[@blueyescry]

EVEREST TWOSTEP.. wow that horse has power..

[@DJDangersJessiJane]

Just goes to show how smart horses are.

[@ellex341]

those two horses better have gotten all of the treats they culd eat!

[@ImmortalSynn]

Indeed. I actually had another one with Hap Hansen and Pikadero, but decided not to include it as I didn't care for the film quality. Good stuff though.

[@bella131517]

the second rider is much better than the first but holy crap those are one of a kind horses

[@ImmortalSynn]

Funny you should ask that on this video... as the horse that went right before Pinon Katja was in fact, Pikadero. lol I doubt I'll post that one, as that round was something of a disaster. I think I have another of him at the 1997 Spruce Meadows Chrysler Classic, but will have to check. I do have plenttttty of perhaps Hap's most famous mount though, Amerika 7. Will definitely be posting some of her, if you're a fan.

[@Simplyblissfull]

Thats cool, I've seen Everest two step do that before (cause I saw that ride before) but I hadn't seen the first one... what a save!

[@Simplyblissfull]

Yeah, this is impressive in itself.

[@sanityslastdance]

=O That is just crazy tbh, Can't see any of the horses I ride being that honest!

[@ZebrasAreAwesome011]

It's a game these horses play I tell you! xD

[@109367]

I saw the second one live xD I was amazed lol

[@D_Schlitz]

the second 'clip' within the video yes, but the first may be hickstead(the venue in England[Englands largest Grand Prix event I believe])

[@ImmortalSynn]

Neat. I have a clip of Ali taking just about one of the NASTIEST falls I've ever seen, at a speed class. He got up and was more-or-less alright though. Thought about putting it up, but can't really think of an interesting way to present it..... yet.

[@Camilley88]

haha i like how michael's horse's name has "two step" in it, like it happens all the time :P

[@3dayEventerFHMI]

purely incrediable!

[@ashleighrauen]

wow he was takin a deep breath through the finish flags!!! :)

[@ImmortalSynn]

It's natural talent, it'd be very difficult to train a horse to do that successfully, properly, and with coordinated timing. Pure talent.

[@unbridged77]

Yea true. He really is a good guy- he just has some interesting moments I guess I'll say while riding and training (like making my friend do pushups in the mud after she refused a fence haha)

[@ImmortalSynn]

Again, she doesn't touch the bush. Watch the slow-mo, if you want further clarification: it's just an optical illusion. Her legs hit nothing but air.

[@annemiekdenijs7750]

Amazing rider!

[@kikiza123]

unreal reflexes on that horse

[@markiemorrison8189]

I've never seen a horse drop it's legs in between and then back out of an oxer! Loving all your videos and not to mention the witty comment comebacks. Haha For the sake of KZbin, please keep 'em comin'!

[@ImmortalSynn]

Welcome. Should definitely take care to check out two of my personal faves: Hidden Creek's Laurel, and Easy Boy.

[@ImmortalSynn]

Depends on which "that jump" you're referring to. The German oxer in the 2nd clip, with Everest TwoStep, was. It was 5'3"x6'6", largest fence on course, on a bending line-- and right next to the endgate at that! That's what made it so incredibly difficult. Very few horses got past it without either a fault, or by taking drastic action such as this. I do not know the size of the fence in the first clip, with Pinon Katja, was.

[@Anaso96]

Very Insane! From: Guatemala!

[@ImmortalSynn]

...but still gets back up/on-- so I guess that's the lesson for the rest of us. :)

[@ImmortalSynn]

Yes it is. No, it wasn't. Lamborghini was a sponsor for the Brookside Classic, so they used their display area to showcase their product. Happens all the time in the grands prix.

[@03firefly]

@horsecrazy9823 Yeah, a horse can't see directly in front of it, but that doesn't mean they're totally blind to the jump. They see it ahead of time and can figure out exactly how much power they need to get over the jump. It's up to the rider to tell the horse when to jump as well. A rider that really knows a horse is able to give it proper cues to let it know how much power the horse needs and when it should jump. You're not just sitting on a horse and letting it figure out the course.

[@kristendoyan63]

That second horse announcer was right: that horse looks really hard to ride! Did you see how aggressive he looked, and how fast he was going? Man I would be so terrified.

[@ImmortalSynn]

Good news... I found that I also have one of him (Pikadero) at the Red Robin grand prix of High Prairie, CO. So will probably post that, as he makes it to the jumpoff, then gives Hap a bit of a surprise. ;) Look for it sometime in October. Definitely won't be before the next 3wks.

[@ItsaHorseLife]

awesomeness!!!! really enjoyed it thanx

[@LittleMustangMare]

@ImmortalSynn both of them though i gotta say i'm a two-step fan my self XP

[@ImmortalSynn]

Yes, they both did.

[@mariafuu2027]

lots of horses do this though. just to get a little extra kick over the fence :p amazing how they do it

[@userbunny14]

Big Ben also did one of these, but his fronts came down between the poles and he snapped right back up!

[@hollypalmer95]

them horses have reflexes! lol.

[@orangesandcupcakes]

@ImmortalSynn wow that makes the jumps i do look like poles on the ground lol i wish i could do that one day

[@yasminpiapoppy]

This is so cool!

[@HorseInAStorm]

lol, that is an insane save

[@jthelgirlf]

@KeeneDressage Some people just don't understand this, but its so true!

[@dimitalilchev]

the horses just recover their balance in the air

[@ShadowBramby]

wow! That is amazing! Thanx for posting I love watchin it!

[@ImmortalSynn]

Ah, I see. Well, as earlier stated: yes, that fence was that wide.

[@Equinegurl96]

Wow that was awesome :D lol if Elf tried that we'd both end up on the ground having no idea of what went wrong, lets just say he's not that coordinated I luvvv when the mare kicks off the bush

[@unbridged77]

Why? Ouch damn that sounds bad! Yea this last summer at the grob all you see are his boots sticking up from the middle of the combination. When he falls he really does take a beating.

[@101jumpergirl101]

awesome how horses can do this

[@lindabroussard7305]

INCROYIBLE !!!

[@ImmortalSynn]

*politely curtsies* ;)

[@10851142]

great save..still many horses that are not so big do this due to the fact they cant elevate much and need to propell themselves so they dont hit the obstacles...its also the riders fault b/c he ran too much before that jump so the horse jumped a bit flat...

[@mlove474]

neat horse can i have his horses dna or training steps

[@ImmortalSynn]

No "rage," just astonishment really... at the complete and utter lack of common sense. I mean, as if the ESPN announcers and "Prime Sports" watermark, weren't enough of a clue.

[@idareya1996]

i think i saw that second one live

[@ImmortalSynn]

@Anaso96 Gracias por mirar, en Guatemala! :)

[@donnieo7]

Tomboy did that two step as well at spruce meadows . I'm surprised you didn't include that one. But thanks for all the videos. They're great. Any chance you have anything on Stroller?

[@PinupPanda]

NICE!

[@Nickolina98]

Oh my god! :D

[@135steffany]

omg thats insannnneeee

[@Butterfly89lady]

Amazing!

[@bobdiddlebottom9818]

Haha wow, horses are amzing ::::)

[@ImmortalSynn]

@randylahey14 Yes, keep going: as in, where is he now? Granted, I haven't been looking as hard as possible, but I rarely see him in int'l competition nowadays. Have some vids of him with Pinon Sullivan that I really need to get around to uploading too.

[@skybluepainter]

Oh, I just watched it again. She just suspended her back legs.

[@ImmortalSynn]

@DarkHorseDream Might've gotten legs caught up for a bit, but doubt it would've been a disaster... wouldn't have caused the mount to flip or anything. Still amazing to see though!

[@ImmortalSynn]

@donnieo7 Which show was that? I don't think I have such a tape... though granted, I still have yet to review all of my 1995-1996 stuff. Stroller was way Way WAYYY before my time, lol.

[@unbridged77]

Really? Yea I've seen him fall quite a few times because he's stabled like 5 minutes from my barn so I see him at every show. (He's kindof a poor sport about falling though- storms off and ignored his clients for days). Have you seen his fall at Spruce this last summer?- He was on his new mount and just ate it in the grob.

[@ImmortalSynn]

...recorded them off TV, as said in the clip itself.

[@19RideTheLightning82]

Do you have any video footage of Hap Hansen and Pikardero that you would not mind posting? Pikadero is my horses sire and I would really like to see footage of him. I grew up riding and showing in CA and watching the GPs, but I was too young at the time to remember this pair.

[@horseskickbutforever]

wow thats amazing!!!