3 Cheers for Teacher Horses
IT’S NO SECRET I HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR OLD horses and young riders. I’ve written about my own sons and their senior gelding, Old Paint, in this column many times.
So this issue hit home for me. This month’s “We’d Love to Own” (page 21) introduces a 15-year-old gelding that’s taking his 9-year-old rider to success competing against professional, grown-up barrel racers. The feature “Still Going Strong” (starts on page 64) shares how Quarter Horse Bald N Shiney’s summer with a 9-year-old girl could lead the 22-year-old gelding to yet another world championship. And “The Equine 401(k)” (starting on page 48) offers tips for determining the right retirement situation for your horse.
Chayni on “The American”
I first saw young Chayni Chamberlin run barrels on TV during the qualifying rounds of the 2014 “The American” rodeo. My oldest son, Leo, was 6 at the time, one year younger than Chayni. He and I were mesmerized by that young rider’s ability to pilot her gray horse, “Flo.” Leo made sure he was watching during each of Chayni’s runs, yelling louder and louder for her each time. Just a few months later, he got his own “teacher horse” and couldn’t wait to someday be able to ride like little Chayni.
Hank the Cow Horse
I first met Bald N Shiney, aka “Hank,” at the 1998 AQHA World Show—my first time at the event, covering it for the Quarter Horse Journal. I immediately fell in love with the horse that could do it all. He roped, he reined, he went down the fence, and he was so cute with a great personality. I couldn’t wait to see him again this spring when I was in Texas.
Even though he’s now in his 20s, I don’t think much has changed about this remarkable gelding. He still has the spark he had almost 18 years ago. But now instead of a member of the Murphy family showing him, young Baily Shopbell holds the reins. The young rider competes in ranch riding, reining, and (of course) boxing with Hank. He’s teaching her to be a competent showman. In return, she’s pampering him the way every horse deserves.
Retire Right
Neither of these girls’ horses are ready to retire just yet. But you can bet their owners are planning a comfortable life for these special horses for when they do exit the competitive arena. Planning ahead, as we detail in “The Equine 401(k),” allows you to figure out the best situation for you and your horse, whether that’s full pasture retirement, luxury in a full-care barn, or teaching a child to ride—like our Old Paint. What are your retirement plans for your horse? Share them with me at the email address below.