A beautiful Mind
(October
2003) I hope you will forgive me, but I must BRAG. Khevi is three years
old. We started him under saddle at the end of June. He has been doing great,
willing to try anything we request. He has shown a lot of willingness and
intelligence. He works well in both the ring and on the trails. I wasn't able to
go to Devon this year thanks to my work schedule. My trainer and I thought that
Khevi needed to get off the farm, and see a bit of the world. Since a group from
the barn was going to a large trail ride, we decided to take him.
So, the first weekend of October, we loaded him up and hauled him the 150
miles to the Fair Hill Nature Preserve, offering 80+ miles of riding trails.
Yes, our group of 12 horses, plus 300+ other riders. It was a large group, to
say the least. It was to be three days of guided trail riding. I was getting
somewhat nervous, but Khevi seemed to be enjoying all the activity. Friday
morning started out with a beautiful sunrise, and perfect weather. Everyone
started tacking to get ready for the 10:30 departure. Khevi, having a grand
total of 20 rides on him, I decided that since in Rome, ride as the Romans were
riding -- in a western saddle. So much safer and less exciting. There were only
about 5 people riding English as it was. So, I lunged him as usual, we mounted,
and rode off with the masses.
Rounding the first turn, and less than 100 yards into the ride, a horse
ditched it's rider and bounded off into the group at full, bucking,
gallop.....right past Khevi and I. I'm quite sure that we were both wide-eyed.
Khevi was taken aback, but maintained his composure. Once the errant horse was
captured, and rider remounted, the ride continued......for the next five hours.
I won't bore you with a blow-by-blow account of the ride, but let me say that I
have never, ever been more proud of a horse of mine. Regardless of how we
progress in our training, and what we achieve in dressage, I will never forget
or fail to appreciate the mental agility and depth of this horse. What a
trooper. Five hours of riding at walk, trot, and canter with not a buck or spook
in him. He loved it.
I can now truthfully claim that he is broke to:
- underground tunnels
- open bridges across moving streams
- overpass bridges across traffic (and jerks blowing the horn)
- covered bridges
- riding thru huge meadows with hundreds of horses
- horses galloping by him on both sides
- underpass walkways
- port-a-johns
- runaway, loose horses
- one quarter mile walk through two foot high stream
- men flapping around in duster jackets
- kids flying kite
- campers and tents
- John Deere Gators
- hayrides
- trucks, cars, and cowboys
There's more, but I guess you get the idea. It was a great day, and a proud
day.
Khevi was very interested in all the new sights and obstacles. He was
particularly intrigued by the small group of riders on black mules. He stared
impolitely at them for some time. He loaded on the trailer like a champ, hauled
like a pro, and was a star.
If you're an amateur, and appreciate a horse with a GREAT mind, make a point
of checking out Galapard offspring. I've owned two, and both have been above
average in intelligence, willingness, and personality. You can see Galapard
offspring at these websites:
