First-timer tales
How one reader found her mini dream horse – completely by accident!
TRACEY ROOD HAD ridden all her life, worked at a stables, passed her BHS exams and was passionate about everything equestrian. She’d always dreamed of having her own stud. She had the facilities, 30 years of experience and the support to make it a reality but, when her father sadly passed away, her dream was put on hold. “It was a struggle for mum and I to keep it together so I downscaled the dream,” says Tracey. “But when things are difficult, you’ve got to have a dream, so I went from hoping to have a stud to simply finding a nice Thoroughbred stallion to breed from. “I had a wish list – I wanted a 15.2hh Thoroughbred, bay or black in colour. After looking for some time, a friend who’d worked at a racing yard said he’d found the one. He was called George and, although he was chestnut, he sounded just right. I went to have a look and quickly realised that my friend was pulling my leg – George was a miniature Shetland measuring 32in high! “I must have been having a mad moment because I agreed to take him. I can’t explain why, I just had a gut feeling. George was such a character and I needed something to work towards. I took the little lad home where he came down the ramp and made himself known. He whinnied and grunted like a little pig, letting everyone know he’d arrived. He certainly thought he was 15.2hh! “I wanted to show George in-hand before anything else, but knew I’d need to learn a lot and fast. He wasn’t keen on being caught, so I spent my work coffee breaks sitting on a chair in his paddock until he realised I wasn’t a monster and became more trusting. “On the day of our first show, George was a little vocal but well behaved and we came second in our first Mountain and Moorland class. Success! It wasn’t long before someone spotted him and asked if George would cover their Shetland mare, Cherry. Cherry’s owner was experienced and a massive help. We did everything by the book and the process was successful, safe and controlled. Before I knew it, George became a proud father to the cutest, tiniest little foal. ”Owning my little stallion has been an absolute pleasure. He’s not quite the stallion I’d always dreamed of, but in a way George was better.
“George was such a character and I needed something to work towards”