Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 7:02:38 GMT -8
ALMOST FAMOUS
The Basics
Show Name: Almost Famous
Barn Name: Leon
Age: 11
Gender: male; gelding
Breed: Thoroughbred
Breed Registry: Jockey Club
The Appearance
Coat Color: Black
Stable Color: Blue
Height: 17 hands
The Personality
Personality:Leon is a very big horse, but he doesn’t seem to know just how large he is. He’s very friendly and respectful to anyone who might handle, lead, ride, or work with him (unless said person is rough handed or heeled). He’s a very sensitive horse and is quite in tune with his riders and handlers, so any nervousness that the person working with him feels, he feels. It’s imperative to keep calm and relaxed when dealing with Leon.
Undersaddle, if you tense up, you’re likely to find yourself suspended in midair as Leon hightails it to his stall (his ‘safe place’, if you will). For all his sensitivities, though, he’s a very well trained horse, both in the show ring and out on the trails. He does get nervous and sweats easily, especially if he isn’t used to something, and he’s very thinned skinned, so in the winter blankets are a must and in the summer, flyspray, flybands, and flysheets are also a must-have.
Caution Around: He’s extremely sensitive to his rider’s cues, too strong a cue and he’ll get upset and kick out (or buck, depending on how ‘harsh’ the rider is) while undersaddle. He also doesn’t like other horses extremely close to him and crowding him and will make his displeasure known by lashing out.
The History
Basic History: This big boy as selectively bred by his first owner and was meant to be her horse until his life with over, but she hadn’t calculated in college expenses and how little time she’d have to ride and work with him. Shortly after he was weaned, his first owner started college, taking him with her. For the next four years, Leon lived in the college’s stable and only got to see his owner when she made it down and wasn’t swamped with work. Not that great of a life, really… though he was trained well by his owner and her trainer.
When he was four years old, though, his owner had to sell him, for she was planning on going to another college where she couldn’t take him. He was purchased by Zale Pierce, who was an art major at the same college. Whereas his first owner hadn’t seemed to have been able to make time for Leon, Zale always had time to spare, it seemed. Not a day went by that the horse wasn’t groomed or seen by his new owner, even if it was just a moment or two. He was suddenly getting ridden and worked a good three to four days a week and he was put into intense training to become a better mount.
Over the years, arena work, shows, and trail-riding as a way to relax and get away from the stresses of the arena (for Leon) and life (for Zale) became a way of life.
The Technicalities
Discipline: Eventing, english all-rounder
Owner: Zale Pierce
Rider: Zale Pierce