Red Horse Equestrian
Our Horses
Geoffrey
"My large friend", Geoffrey stands a solid 16.3 hands barefoot. He's a quiet, kind, friendly, and athletic thoroughbred with beautiful movement. Born in 2003, Geoffrey raced 4 times as a 4 year old, but because he was unsuccessful at the track, he was shipped to a ranch in Utah. From there he ended up on a rodeo string, which is when Kendra and I found him in 2008 - extremely underweight and in poor health. Geoffrey has made a remarkable transformation in his health and training. Initially he had the typical head in the air, don't have a clue what you want, except run forward fast, response under saddle, but that has all changed. Not only does he have one of the most comfortable canter's I've ever had to pleasure to ride, he jumps fences with natural lift in his shoulders, and in a quiet, steady manner. We're looking forward to having many fun adventures with Geoffrey.
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The first year was spent getting Geoffrey healthy - addressing his weight and digestive issues and the large gaps in his basic training. When we got him, he was very defensive of the bit in his mouth, keeping his head raised and his top line tight, and he would also brace against the bit. Additionally, he was very dull to the rein, leg, and seat aids, and didn't understand the basic cues for walk, trot, canter, and picking up the correct canter lead.
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This video was taken a little over a year after we bought him - July 2009. The focus of his training at that time was keeping him relaxed, accepting the contact, responding quietly from light aids, and understanding the basic cues for the various gaits and transitions.
At the John Williams eventing clinic - June 2012
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This is a short video of Geoffrey schooling over a fence - May 2010.
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Billy
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Definitely the most photographed horse in the barn, Billy the Morgan/pony cross has been our daughter's best buddy since he came to us in 2003. Very versatile, he's definitely the horse to take camping, and if you want to explore new trails and territory, Billy is the horse to ride. Billy is also great to ride around cattle, take to the show ring, and ride over fences. Born in 1989, Billy is now a senior citizen and is enjoying the carefree life of semi-retirement.
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In June of 2007, our daughter had the opportunity to ride Billy with Tom Ordway in a Pony Club clinic at the Colorado Horse Park (second video below). This was their first time on a cross country course! As a side note, we had no idea that Billy was harboring a large lipoma (10 cm) at the time which was surgically removed 3 months later.
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Having fun! |
Price
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Price arrived on our doorstep in March 2010 traveling from the state of Virginia. A 1995 model, he's an off-the-track thoroughbred, having raced 32 times on the track, winning twice. Price is smart and athletic, with a good mind. When he arrived, Price lacked manners and respect for people, but our daughter has worked steadily to help ensure Price is respectful to people on the ground and under saddle. Price is a beautiful mover, with smooth steady gaits, so dressage shows are on the horizon.
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Below is a video taken of Kendra and Price in May 2012 just working on the basics and doing a beautiful job of it.
Titan
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A beautifully balanced, black quarter horse, with lightening-quick movement, Titan was our son's riding partner for several years. A quiet, kind horse, Titan trusted and accepted him from the beginning. With other riders Titan would be nervous, but when our son was riding, Titan was relaxed and enjoyed taking it easy. The laid back rider with the relaxed horse - always a pleasure to see. We didn't know for sure, but we estimated Titan's birth year to be around 1990.
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Harley
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The first photo in the slideshow was taken when Harley was 22 years old, yep the senior jumper was amazing. Harley was born in 1987, but it wasn't until 2009 when we acquired Harley in a trade for Argon's Flame. In the short time he was with us, our daughter and Harley had great fun! What a cool horse...very kind, always ready to go, and could jump the moon.
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In July of 2009, we spent some time at Triple Creek Ranch just having fun. Below is a video link of our daughter and Harley in the jumping arena.
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Kringle
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My 1992 Christmas present to myself was a gorgeous moving, athletic, and high strung off-the-track thoroughbred named Tawny's Sibirri. Raced through age 8 with 85 starts and a record of 8-11-14, I purchased Kringle in December as a 10 year old, with my sights set on a new career in dressage for him. Always a challenge, this horse taught me so much! Eventually Kringle became a competitive partner in dressage qualifying for the championships in training level and first level. He was training beautifully for second level competition when he was diagnosed with EPM. At that point, our dressage journey abruptly ended. Besides showing, some of my favorite memories with this horse were riding the grounds of Fort Lewis, and galloping the Pacific Ocean beaches.
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