Challenger
#175.
Bay NSH?? Gelding. Appx. 15.3 hands. Older..20+. This
horse definitely has
Arabian in him. From the pictures you are unable to tell just what
a classy act
this sweet horse is. Under saddle he is quite flashy. Raises his
tail and points
those ears as if to say?. Let's go! He would require an intermediate
rider.
Well,
they did it! Several wonderful people got together and sent in
funds
towards this lovely Old Soldier's ransom. A challenge
was issued to raise the funds, as a result,
he has been named Challenger! The funds finally totaled the
ransom price and this wonderful horse will be going
to a new home with a new mom,
new friends shortly!
Thanks
to the fantastic people who reached out to help this horse. Without
people like you, horses like this would have................nothing.
There wouldn't even be a memory of his passing
through! Yeah Team!
Update
10/9/00 - Challenger made it home safe & sound. He hopped
into the trailer like the little prince he is. He gave a funny
little snort to the lot owner, and we were on our way. Much has
happened since he came home. He & Lucy had become fast friends,
and the other 2 girls (Sophie & LeChuce) continue to charge
him for reaction. To his credit he doesn't get excited, rather
he just holds his ground. After we put Lucy down, he seemed a
little lonely. The 2 girls have started to accept him now, I think
they know he doesn't want to take charge nor will he let them
run him. Sanity has returned to the yard!!!
The
first farrier visit was for trim only. His feet were very long
and he still had on shoes. We let him rest for 10 days then had
the farrier back out to put shoes back on the front. His gait
is evening out, and he no longer walks on the outside of his right
front foot. The vet has given him a big thumbs up. He has a few
fluid pockets on his front knees (windpuffs I
think?), but other than that he is in excellent health.
We've
had a few nice little trail putts. He is absolutely magnificent
when all dressed
up. His head is up, neck is arched, tail is out. This is one proud
horse. He's gorgeous and he knows it. But his manners are so perfect,
I would feel comfortable having a young rider on him. Yesterday
after the clinic we rode again, and he went to canter & full
gallop. His trot is rough, but his canter is just wonderful.
I
guess what I'm trying to say is he's settled in nicely. He seems
happy and content. I know we're so very happy to have him here,
he adds a lot of
personality to the group. Thanks to all who helped make it happen
!!!!
Stephani
Update
4-2-01 - Many of you may remember our group feedlot rescue
Challenger. My husband Jim and I are blessed to have him stay
here with us in Norco, and we are so pleased with his wonderful
personality. We've known from the beginning that he was a very
special boy, even tho his past was a big mystery to us. Every
time he is tacked up, a magical tranformation takes place and
he becomes a wonderfully classy and proud gentleman. I ride him
western and he responds beautifully, but it's always seemed like
he expects more from ME. At this point, I'm in the home stretch
of my pregnancy and unable to ride. Fortunately, fellow horse
lover Noelle volunteered to come up this past Saturday and give
him some arena time.
I think as
soon as he saw the English bridle and saddle he knew he had a
REAL rider. The transformation took place, and the little prince
was ready to show off so we took the short walk to our neighborhood
arena. Unfortunately the ride was cut short, as he got a huge
rock wedged in his sole on the way to the arena and was a little
sore. Here's what Noelle had to say...
********************************************
"Wish I could have test driven him longer to see what he
really knows, but can do that later, :-).
Challenger has either been a lesson horse or shown extensively.
He rides like an old schoolmaster. Picks up his cues at the slightest
of pressure and expertly at that. He is what you call a push button
horse. Bombproof. Extremely well disciplined in cues. He knows
flying lead changes and half passes. You could take a kid with
just a few lessons and stick them up on Challenger in a show,
and I would bet they would place. A very very nice boy that knows
his stuff and shows it off perfectly!"
***************************************
Guess this
means that as soon as I'm able I'll be going back to school to
learn English & Dressage in order to bring out the best in
him !!!
Update
4/23/04 - Hello to all from Central Virginia!!!
Too much time
has passed since our last update, and for that I apologize. So
much has happened since then, it will be hard to keep this from
becoming a manifesto.
For starters,
our family and all critters relocated from So Cal to Central Virginia
in April 2002. We bought a wonderful horse property in a rural
farm community. We have 20 acres of cleared land, 10+ of which
are fenced and planted grazing pasture for our horses.
Challenger
is now officially retired, and is living the life that he could
not have even dreamed. He is the leader of the herd, they have
open access to come and go as they please from paddock to pasture
and back again. He is still the most magnificent creature I have
ever met. He is so proud, sometimes prissy, sometimes pissy, but
always kind. He keeps his girls in line, and has taught trained
them to be 'housebroken'. When they're piled up inside their run-in,
he will not allow them to soil the area. That is far too crude
for his tastes, and they are quickly reprimanded if they even
lift their tail inside!!!
Challenger
still has the most beautiful rocking horse canter, his tail is
up and his mane is flying. Maybe he is remembering his days in
the ring? I can sit for hours watching them as they graze. I love
the sight of them running in from the pasture to greet me, but
have to admit that I am not above bribery and the treats are freely
given here.
Challenger,
Sophie and LeChuza were so funny when we first arrived and began
to introduce them to the pasture. These horses were stall kept
for their whole lives, and didn't really know what to make of
all the open space. They would walk around a bit, then look at
me as if to say "OK, this is nice. What do we do next?"
We also have
3 new herd members who are special needs horses. Skipper (TMF
Skippa Star Date), Jasmine, and Spirit are all blind. They have
branched off into a separate mini herd, tho all 6 do get along
with minimal fuss. They are truly our special ones, and I am amazed
at their trust and instincts. They are great teachers of respect
and love, and have amazing intuition and tolerance when my young
sons are in petting distance.
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