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Worth Their Weight in Gold


ONE SEASONED SELLE FRANÇAIS OPENS NEW DOORS FOR THIS COMPETITOR.


A


t age fifteen or more, most horses and ponies are labeled as aged, older or seniors. Yet in their late teens, many continue to be a source of education


and inspiration. Some may slow down a bit as they mature, but with proper maintenance and care, these animals can perform their job at every level and put in stellar blue ribbon performances. Calypso, Gem Twist, Snowman, and Untouchable are


just a few of the equine legends inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Over the past fifty years these beautiful sport horses have carried their riders to victory in international Grand Prix competitions around the globe, bringing home top honors for the United States. Even after they hit their teen years, these amazing mounts continued to dominate the competition. In fact, at the age of 15 the legendary Trakehner stallion Abdullah, who had an extensive show jumping career for 14 years, put in double clean rounds with Conrad Homfeld to help secure America ‘s first team victory at the World Cup championship. And even more amazing, at 21 the powerful gelding For the Moment bested much younger competition during the prestigious Budweiser Show Jumping Championship in 1995 , becoming the oldest horse to ever win the Grand Prix.


THE OLD AND THE NEW Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductees are not the only horses to continue their careers well into their teens. Some of today’s most competitive mounts are showing the younger riders how it should be done. Sapphire,


26 May/June 2011


the gold medal winning chestnut BWP mare, was foaled in 1995. Over the past few years, piloted by McLain Ward, she has become one of the most famous jumpers of all time with countless international victories, finishing off 2010 as the Leading Jumper in the national rankings. Although Sapphire is a stand out, there are other teenage mounts such as 18 year old Catherine Pasmore’s grand prix horse My Boy (1996) and 15 year old Daniela Stransky’s silver medal winning gray Ikarus (1993) having great success against top international competition. And in the hunter arena is a similar story with Amateur Owner Hunter rider Sarah Ward putting in flawless trips in 2010 aboard her Dutch Warmblood Onassis (1996) ending the year second in the national standings. At only 16 years old, Reed Kessler and her Swedish


Warmblood gelding of the same age named Flight (1994 – Figara x Britta M) have been partnered since they were both thirteen. The dynamic duo has accumulated top honors, both in the U.S. and Canada. In 2010 alone, Reed and Flight won the Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series, the national Junior Jumper Championship, and most recently they helped the female team beat the men’s team at the exciting Nespresso Battle of the Sexes competition in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. “Flight is 16 now,” notes the petite rider. “He was born in June, so he’s one month older than me. I started in Children’s Jumpers; now he’s my Open Speed horse, doing the 1m40 classes against top professionals. I wanted to move up from the Junior Jumpers and try the Open Jumpers; Flight’s been going faster than he has in a while! He is so smooth and rideable and jumps in such amazing form,” exclaims Reed. “He even doubled as my equitation horse. He’s really my big teddy bear that I can always rely on. He’s so game. For me there will never be a nicer horse than Flighty. I’ll never sell him!”


Top: Sarah Orberson-Taylor and Hootie relaxing back at the barn. Photo by Andy Taylor


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