Warming up a stallion alongside fifteen other horses can
be a daunting and dangerous task, yet with Angus, his focus never waivered from Heather. “I’ve trained and shown a lot of stallions, both Warmbloods and Iberians, and Angus is the same horse at home as he is at the show. He stays with me regardless of what’s going on. I can’t boast enough about his temperament,” she remarks. Then she adds, “When you look into the history of the breed, it’s so interesting to learn about the Iberian influence. At times I can sense that ‘Iberian’ side of him. He is such a joy to ride and train.” When asked about his future, Heather expects Angus will
Angus and Heather Bender at the extended canter showing Third Level in October 2011. Photo by Robert Cieszenski
Treasure Coast Dressage in Palm City, Florida. “When I first learned that I’d be training a full Irish Draught, I prepared myself for a clunky, stiff, heavy-in-the-bridle horse, which was not going to be much fun,” Heather remarks with a laugh. “When Angus arrived, I was pleasantly surprised! He is an absolute pleasure—amazingly light in my hand, sensitive to the aids, flexible with his body, and he has a fabulous character and work ethic. Plus, I found the collected work is easy for him. That’s when I got very excited about this horse.” Thanks to good training basics Angus received in
Virginia and later in Florida by Tara Stegan, in one month Heather was able to qualify him for the USDF Region 3 Championships at Third Level. In October they trekked to Ocala, Florida for the Regional Championship show and scored consistently in the mid-60s all weekend up against stiff competition.
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Warmbloods Today 106
be at Prix St. Georges in 2012. “Angus is doing tempi changes already and has a strong back that rounds for the collected work. It’s just a matter of giving him the time he needs to build more muscle,” she says. But secretly, Ken and Heather are hoping Angus will make history for the breed: to be the first Irish Draught to dance in the Grand Prix. Only time— and a little Irish luck—will tell.
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“Claire de Lune” courtesy SE Farm.
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