Mr. Des reminded me of a particular Fresian I spent quite a few yrs with. His name was Mick, a 4yo stallion import that had gone through some great trainers and hurt or scared them all...
which is where I came in the picture
Unfortunately for me at the time, I had gained a reputation for getting along well with problem(dangerous would be a better description) stallions and people often brought me spoiled "man eaters" as I liked to call them. Mick was a prime example of one of these studs that had learned to intimidate people to get out of having to work. It took a while for him to come around(not to mention a couple "stern" conversations
), but once he did we were inseparable. The owners tried to put him back with his show trainer, but the horse put him in the hospital a wk later
Next thing I know, I'm in riding pants, an english saddle, and some goofy(gay) looking top hat :
Oh, well... money talks, right?
Mick and I showed all over the country, did a calendar :
, and countless exhibitions. I often worked cattle with him and he was a heck of a rope horse, as you could imagine(he could rope an elephant
) He eventually was retired to stud.
Prepping for another exhibition
Auditioning for a stallion demonstration at the Budweiser Grand Prix in Wellington
Warm ups
I'm sure I'll regret putting this one up...
... but this was an 8 stallion(together at the same time
) international show done for some high rollers. You can imagine the tension between 8 breeding studs who are used to getting their way
Don't ask why the owners insisted on the christmas ornaments... you know how rich old women love their bling
Nice hat, huh?
