By Belinda
Green
How do I begin
to tell the story of a special horse that came into my life? Adding to
it new dimensions that only existed in dreams. A horse that was to
become my friend, partner and will always be one of the great loves of
my life. I guess the best way is to start at the beginning.
My husband Bob
and I went to a sale in hopes of finding a colt. My currant horse, Pesty
Lady, was approaching her later years and the time had come to find
another to start. We almost went home that fateful day without one,
when, at the last moment, Bob said he had found a couple that I should
take a look at. Although my heart was not in replacing Pesty, I went to
look. That is when I first saw Dutch Country's Mr. Cool. A long legged,
bright eyed red yearling with a pretty white blaze and one white sock.
He was marked almost identical to Pesty. I thought maybe that was
perhaps an omen or something! We bought him and I thought if it did not
work out for me we could always sell him. That was May 2, 1991 and our
journey began.
I entered him in
yearling classes that first summer and although he did well (ending up
Third in High Point Standings with Buckeye Walking Horse Association) I
could not wait to take him home after a show as he was a handful! He was
also so clumsy - always stepping on your toes! Before he was completely
grown up, I did end up with two broken toes.
I started him
under saddle as a two year old with light riding. I don=t believe in
rushing a youngster. Because of such long legs and growing so fast, he
was very unbalanced. He was over 16 hands at that time. I always made
our time together pleasant for him and we began to bond. He was very
easy going and learned quickly.
I entered him
in the Versatility Program just in case we might qualify for an Honor
Roll Certificate sometime, never dreaming of what was to come. Before I
knew it he had picked up his E-Z Ride points and Model points.
I had entered
him in the Ohio Celebration as a 3 year old and he came home with
ribbons in Model, 3 and Under, and Water Glass Class. My dreams were
starting to materialize. He started winning High Point awards from
C.O.S.C.A., Penn-Ohio Horsemen association, Buckeye Walking Horse
Association and Portage County Horsemen Association. But it was a thrill
when he started getting on the Honor Roll with the Versatility Program.
He has earned Honor Roll Certificates in Model, E-Z Ride, English
Pleasure and Trail.
By now, after
practically memorizing the rule book for becoming a Champion, I was
beginning to think it could be more than a fantasy and we began to work
a little harder.
I found
contest classes were fun for both of us. He earned his points in Barrels
and Poles, but, we needed to add another division. We both enjoy
jumping, but, Jumping classes were few in our area, so, I knew it had to
be Reining.
We had to
attend All-Breed shows a lot as we had to go where there was enough
entries. To compete against Quarter Horses in Reining was tough, but we
did and we acquired many points that way.
Reining is
hard for him, because he grew to be 17.3 hands and it is difficult for
him to do graceful spins with that big body. But he did and has, held
his own. Enough so that he was the Versatility High Point Reining
Champion for 1999.
During his
career he has won many awards, including High Point Champion for a
couple TWHBEA Heydays, but, thru time, all those titles will be
forgotten. What is important is the bond we share and the impression we
make in the lives of others.
Thanks to
Dutch's big heart and loving disposition, I think we are doing that with
our promotional work for this great breed
One of the
biggest promotional attractions is our bridleless demo.
I started
playing around with bridleless at home and he loved it! Some of my
students saw it and I was invited to give a demo for their 4-H group.
Since then I have been doing this demo a lot. One of the biggest thrills
was being asked to give this demo at the Ohio Celebration in 1998.
I believe with
all this horse has done, not only for me, but with the promotion of the
breed, with his sweetness and beauty, and of course his versatility, he
really has earned and deserves the title ASupream Versatility Champion@!
I am proud to introduce him as such when we appear in public.
Believe me,
becoming a Supreme Versatility was not an easy journey. It was filled
with shows with tearful results and a few with exhilarating highs. There
were many times I felt like giving up, but I am glad I didn't. Not only
for me, but for him as well.
I would like to add
that I don't think I could have done this without the love and support
of my husband Bob. He is our all important ground man at shows and just
always there when I need him.
Belinda Green
I would
like to thank Belinda for
contributing her story & photograph of Dutch Country's Mr. Cool, giving
us the opportunity to meet this extraordinary Champion Tennessee Walking
Horse.
Adult Supreme Champions
Youth Superior Champions
