- Skills / Disciplines
- All Around, Athletic, Sporthorse, Trail, Trail Riding
Additional Comments
It occurred to me today while cantering along through the woods, dodging branches and hounds running by, that I've been marketing this horse all wrong. My first clue, that I didn't pay enough attention to at the time, was when I took her out to Tuckahoe State Park with Billy and his horse last winter. She went through streams and over bridges w/t/c on the buckle. When a friend asked me to hunt with her today I decided giving it a try with Whist because of how exceptional she was trail riding in the past.... (read more) Sure enough, she loves it. She is the absolutely most relaxed version of herself when she's out hacking, trail riding or hunting. Today was her first time out hunting and she was so mature that she was able to help babysit another horse that was getting anxious while waiting/standing. She walks along on the buckle or gallops through the woods without being strong or fresh (she's just in a d snaffle). She was exceptionally good with the hounds and afterwards a friend told me that at one point while we were on a path in the woods there was a hound literally between her legs (I didn't even know) and she couldn't have cared less. Whist is happy to let other horses bump into her and come up behind her. She didn't bat an eye (or ear) at a single thing the entire day.
The more challenging part for Whist was some of the longer waits, especially in the beginning when she was still just trying to sort out what was going on. She walked in some small circles when she got antsy and snacked on grass. It seemed like an easy way to get her to buy in and by midway she totally figured it out and had no hesitations about standing quietly. For the moving parts, she is an absolute dream. She can go loose rein with little to no contact or of course you can take a feel and put her together, she doesn't care either way. She's happy in the front, middle and back with no angst about where in the group she is. I was able to have casual conversations while we were cantering along at one point. To me the most impressive thing is how she doesn't get strong, especially when you're cruising along. Standing, cantering 100 feet and then standing again was no issue. Not a single hint of silliness from her. She was a pleasure and I really think this is the type of lifestyle she's going to thrive in.
Huge thanks to Wicomico Hunt Club for having us today, Brooke Howard for suggesting we do this and Lieke Tidwell for the fantastic pictures and video.
Court Whist - 6yo 16/16.1 TB mare by Victor's Cry (Street Cry). Whist has no injuries or vices.
You can find all of Whist pictures, videos and information at visit our website
Small eventing barn owned and operated by Stacy, solely focused on restarting and homing quality TBs.
