OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A love for horses brought a mother and daughter together to compete at the Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Exposition at the Florida Horse Park, Dec. 13-15.
Suzanne Peters’ experience at the event exceeded her expectations. Originally from New York with a background in fox hunting, Peters competed in the restricted show hunter division with her recently retired racehorse. Military Hop, an 8-year-old gelding, joined Peters in April after leaving Gulfstream Park in January. His last race was at Laurel Park on Aug. 20, 2023. Her daughter Margaret Higo competed in the eventing division.
Military Hop’s Racing Stats:
- Sire: Bold Warrior
- Dam: Madame Cassan
- Career: 33 starts with 8 wins, 8 seconds, 1 third
- Earnings: $191,378
The horse is currently transitioning to his new career while recovering from injuries sustained during racing.
“I didn’t think my horse was going to do so well because he’s only been jumping across a cross rail the last month,” explains Peters.
Despite some challenging decorations on the jumping course, the pair finished second overall in their division.
“That was a total surprise,” she says. “I’ll have to tell his chiropractor that we got that far. We love seeing the thoroughbreds. My family has had thoroughbreds since 1970. My dad fox hunted with an ex-racehorse. We’re fox hunters by background.”
Margaret Higo, a third-generation fox hunter, competed in the eventing division with Don’s Topdog, a 21-year-old grandson of 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin. His sire was Grade One winner Albert the Great.
“It’s nice,” begins Peters. “I just wish we had a bigger thoroughbred community to show (in sport horse competitions) and come out because these (the thoroughbreds) are the best horses out there. I’ve had warmbloods and crosses and they’re the best.”
Higo competed in all three phases of the beginner novice level eventing trials: dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping. Don’s Topdog, nicknamed Prince Charming by Higo when she was 4 years old, joined their family as an 8-year-old in 2011.
The horse’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. Before Peters purchased him for $500, he was rescued from poor living conditions. Initially, his identity was a mystery as neither his rescuer nor Peters could read his lip tattoo. A Vietnam veteran who transported horses, despite battling a war-related brain tumor, finally decoded the tattoo, though Margaret had already named him Prince Charming.
Under Peters’ care, Don’s Topdog served as a field master with the Misty Morning Hounds in Gainesville for 12 years before transitioning to eventing.
“He’s been a great fox hunter and now he likes showing,” says Peters.