My "new" horse

Xanthoria
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My "new" horse

Postby Xanthoria » Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:13 pm

Hello friends! Here's my long overdue update :)

After the sad demise of the 7 yr old Baby Bronto to multiple system breakdowns in November 2019, I was crushed... for a long time. I leased a horse for 6 months and we variously hated each other. He went home.

Finally I started looking for a new horse, during Covid, and found out that my entire, robust budget for a ready-to-go-Prelim eventer would only buy me a youngster or something pre-broken. I spent 7 months looking everywhere, from the USA to Ireland to Germany and the Netherlands. I used two agents, I used Facebook, I made a spreadsheet and inquired about the 114 prospects I found seriously interesting... one by one they failed - either on videos, missing details disclosed later or xrays that the radiologist said showed problems. I actually vetted 5 horses - stem to stern rads, separate radiology reports and $All The GD Things$... my budget was being hit by all this!

Horse #114, the last one I vetted, only had issues we (vet, me, radiologist) deemed livable-with: some sidebone. So I bought her - sight unseen! She was a 4 yr old Silla Argentino (just turned 5 last month) of Selle Francais jumper breeding brought to the US a few months earlier by a trainer to sell. Greenbroke but forward! Nimble! Smart! Leaps tall buildings at a single bound! A total rocket - just my type :mrgreen:

She has been with me since the end of January, and in that time we have got new dressage and jump saddles fitted (OMG, what fresh hell...) and gone to 7 shows - 4 schooling and 3 recognized events. We ran 2x at Intro eventing, and 2x at Beginner Novice. In the ribbons every time - she finished her year with a 3rd in tough company at her 2nd BN at a new venue she's never seen. She is a LION on cross country, and has the most ridiculous overjumping greenness in the stadium rounds that makes me laugh and spectators a bit :shock: She ended her year with just 0.4 jumping penalties total! Dressage is tricksy but I think we have found a path forward to a good connection and I know we will just get better and better. Next year she will move up to Novice, and Training will not be far behind that... my Prelim goal in sight.

All this to say, while I put my dreams on hold with the sweet Baby Bronto and devoted myself to trying to help him, for it all to fall apart in the most heartbreaking way, I am now back with all engines firing. Never give up! My little mare might be green but her raw talent is there for anyone to see - building her confidence and shaping her considerable drive will be a total joy. I have a new trainer who is equally enthusiastic about the mare and her prospects and I'm just living my best horse life. At last. It has been a LONG slow road but fingers and toes crossed the mare stays sound and well and it keeps being FUN! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Hope you can see this pic of my spicy little princess, Verona:

Image

heddylamar
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby heddylamar » Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:31 pm

Wow! She's absolutely lovely, Xan!! I can't wait to see what you do with her.

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Flight
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Flight » Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:38 pm

Congrats! She looks amazing!!

KathyK
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby KathyK » Wed Dec 01, 2021 10:43 pm

This is great news. You both look like you're having a good time.

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Imperini
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Imperini » Thu Dec 02, 2021 12:23 am

What a great update. Congrats!

exvet
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby exvet » Thu Dec 02, 2021 2:17 am

Wow! such awesome news!!!! And WELCOME BACK!

Canyon
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Canyon » Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:53 am

Congrats, Xan - what a beautiful, talented partner!

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StraightForward
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby StraightForward » Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:30 am

Congratulations, you are long overdue for having fun with a horse that suits you!
Keep calm and canter on.

Tanga
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Tanga » Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:33 am

Wow!

Ponichiwa
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Ponichiwa » Thu Dec 02, 2021 2:43 pm

What a great looking horse, Xanthoria! Great way to conclude a long and painful horse search. Congratulations!

Ryeissa
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Ryeissa » Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:43 pm

OMG you actually found a horse! I have been around since the losses of your other horses... I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
She is super

piedmontfields
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby piedmontfields » Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:49 pm

Congratulations on your pocket rocket! She looks super capable and eager.

Enjoy the journey.

Lipsmackerpony88
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Lipsmackerpony88 » Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:01 pm

Wow! Congratulations! She looks super.

Xanthoria
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Xanthoria » Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:30 pm

Aww thanks everyone! :mrgreen:

Ryeissa wrote:OMG you actually found a horse! I have been around since the losses of your other horses... I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
She is super


For real - my equine journey has been awful the last 10 years. And I still expect her to be lame every time I see her. I'm worried to make competition plans for 2022 - I even touched wood after making this thread, certain it would mean the horse would be dead by nightfall!

But my trainer wants to go to the AECs in Montana this year (um, I'd have to qualify?!) and while that long of a trip isn't really my bag, it tells you how confident the trainer is at least. She says this is an upper level prospect, and I'm starting to think she's RIGHT! :mrgreen:

khall
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby khall » Thu Dec 02, 2021 9:03 pm

Well congratulations!!! Baby bronto was such a heartbreak so glad you’ve found a horse to be excited about!! And a mare:). My favorite.

demi
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby demi » Fri Dec 03, 2021 1:20 am

Yay! Xan! So happy for you.

Anne
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Anne » Fri Dec 03, 2021 7:39 am

Woo-hoo Xan & Verona!! She sounds like a blast, and I'm really happy to hear your happy update :-)

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Chisamba
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Chisamba » Fri Dec 03, 2021 8:52 am

She is an overjumping beauty, isn't she. I am happy for you. I am unfamiliar with Silla Argentino, but familiar with Selle Francais. welcome to the grey mare club.

And very most welcome back.

Sue B
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Sue B » Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:02 pm

Wow! What a cool horse you found! Congratulations, Xan.

Kyras_Mom
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Kyras_Mom » Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:53 am

I knew you finally found one. I have seen her tail on TOB :lol: .

Congratulations. She sounds like everything you wanted. It looks like she can jump the moon.

Susan

Quelah
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Quelah » Sun Dec 05, 2021 10:49 pm

Congratulations! The longest roads often lead to the best places, wishing all the best for this partnership!

Snork
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Re: My "new" horse

Postby Snork » Wed Dec 15, 2021 2:31 am

Congratulations! She looks like a very cool critter.


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