It's been nearly three months now, so I thought it might be fun to start tracking what he was doing now that he's starting to get out competeing.
So, introducing... MAVERICK!! He raced under the name Pumpkins pride, and he was frankly shit. The had nearly 200 days between every break, and never got better than a 3rd place. (Of which he only got once.) He flat raced twice and hurdled until he was seven, and had his last race in June of 2023. He was suggested to us by our farrier, who works with the racing yard he was based at. All we knew was that he was 16.3/17hh and seven years old... and... well... completely FREE! He stayed on the track in training until the day we picked him in October in 2023.
We did go and try him before deciding to take him home... but as he was free, and a lovely horse to be around, it was pretty much decided that we'd have him regardless. However, I can confidently say he tried to kill me, but he was pretty so who really cares! lol.
We picked him up a week later, and loaded onto the trailer without an issue, and travelled the whole way quietly. Speaking to his groom, she said just to get cracking with him; no down time, just get going! So, of course, that is exactly what we did.
We put a bridle and a dressage saddle on, just to get him used to the feeling of having things around his side, and stirrups flapping around. He was litterally perfect! Didn't have any spooks, went through the woods and roads and over some little logs... really, really didn't look at anything. We also gave him a lunge, and picked it all up so, so quickly!
So... after a week of this, I had my first sit on him. He was lush! A bit lazy, but he really was perfect. Had a little walk and trot, being careful not to rush him, but he really was amazing!!
This would have been his first canter with me; very unblanced but really very good! His trot work wasn't the best, but is starting to get there.
Just a week after this, we had out first jump... and course, and he was really very good. I can not reitterate enough how amazing this horse is!!
Not long after this, he came to collage with me to give my mare a break... and he took it all in his stride. Even made it onto the academy along with my other horse! He went on his first solo hack, where we had a walk, trot and even a gallop! This horse really tries his heart out, and I can't express my love for him enough.
And on the second day he had his first acadmey training session. Really, really good again! Walk, trot, canter and a jump! Really super.
He really was amazing. This was the last clip I was able to get before we left for winter break; where he didn't do too much other than hack. He also got to be in a field with my mare for the first time!
Also meeting my mothers horse for the first time:
And here is our one month progress:
He had a longer break over Christmas, really only hacking and even went on his first hunt... OH! His first dressage competition! Intro B, coming 3rd with just over 70%... and me forgetting my test XD Really amazing. Again, just did lots of hacking with him, just letting him get some weight on himself over the holidays. And, of course, getting very, very fluffy!
He's now settling into school life with myself. He didn't fare amazingly living out over winter, but is slowly starting to put weight back on now that he's living in at night. I just cant believe he's this good... or that we were lucky enough to come across a horse with such wonderful foundations of life! The hope is to get him out low-level eventing towards the end of this year. Maybe even sooner with how well he is going! Definately one to watch at the lower levels.
He's currently just learning to relax a bit, and is starting to ride into the bridle a bit better when going forwards. Slowly loosing the choppy trot, working in a lower contact ans stretching a bit better over his back; these next few weeks are just going to be focused on building his weight back up and building up his flat work again.
Hopefully more updates to come over the next few weeks!
(Side note: All images belong to myself!)
Warming, with Sleet and Heavy Icing
