FAQ:
What times do you have available to show horses: I do have help with the riding and showing of horses so we have appointment times during the week and limited weekends available.
What is your sales policy: I operate on a first come first serve basis to appropriate qualified homes. I do my absolute best not to pick favorites and honor the first come policy. Essentially what that means is that I do not hold horses. Horses are available until they are paid for in full. If vetting is actually set up (scheduled with day/time) we will hold for that vetting if within a five day time frame. We continue to show the horses until the vetting is complete and payment is made. There are many reasons that people may pass on a horse during a vetting and another customer may be perfectly happy with the results of the said vetting. It is also common that people back out of vettings or simply change their mind before a vetting which is why we do not take horses off the market. That does mean a horse may be sold to someone who buys the horse sight unseen before your appointment to come and see it. I will always let you know before you make a drive out to my farm if a horse is sold. I do my best to notify everyone right away that a horse is sold. I realize it can be frustrating to have a horse sold that you wanted to come and see but many of mine do sell to buyers who are comfortable with the buying sight unseen process. If you have any questions please let me know. I like to say that there are always more horses and if I sell one you are interested in then I will do my best to find you another one!
Vetting Policy:
Once we have agreed to move forward with a ppe it should be set up for within 5 business days.
The buyer has 2 business days at max to decide if they are proceeding with the sale after the conclusion of the ppe. A quicker response is greatly appreciated as horses often have a line.
A non refundable deposit of $200 once the ppe is scheduled will hold the horse for you through the vetting. This simply means I will not sell the horse outright or have a sooner ppe set by someone else while we are waiting for yours. The deposit will be applied to the price of the horse. This is a non refundable deposit, so in the event you decide not to proceed with the sale or ppe for any reason it will not be returned.
You can chose not to put down a deposit while waiting for the ppe however, that means someone else might decide to purchase the horse outright before your vetting.
What payment methods do you accept: I take paypal, venmo, cashiers check and wire. Personal checks on a limited basis and must clear before horses leave.
Do you have a list of vets in your area: I am in Delaware and they aren't as many vet practices as in larger areas but I do have a list of vets and you are welcome to have your own vet come if they are in the area where they can travel to me. All the vets do digital xrays. Most are very comfortable vetting for customers who can't be present for the vettings. They typically will do the flexions, lunging, etc and then call to discuss the results before proceeding to anything else.
Delmarva Equine (DE) 302-735-4735
Unionville Equine (PA) 610-932-6800
Equine Veterinary Care (fairhill, MD) 410-392-6646
Do you ship or have a list of shippers: We do ship within a 3-4 hour range and can often do longer trips depending on the schedule. I have many shipping contacts and can also help you get shipping set up. I have many horses that ship long distances. I will hold the horses for a week at no cost while shipping is arranged but after that it is $25 a day until horse is picked up.
We have a 7 day pick up policy after your payment has been made. We have a very busy barn with limited space and are unable to hold horses past seven days. There is a $25 a day fee for anything that needs to stay past the 7 days post purchase.
References/graduate information : https://www.facebook.com/groups/2922626288055600 also my Benchmark Sport Horses facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/benchmarksporthorses
Listen to podcast with Major League Eventing discussing all things TB and Benchmark- https://www.buzzsprout.com/168580/1092173-bonus-ottb-101-with-jessica-redman
Valiant Gabe
Breed: TB colt
Age: 2019
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2019
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Double Dot
Breed: TB mare
Age: 2018
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2018
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Colliery
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2016
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $15,000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2016
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $15,000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Colliery- 6yr 16.1 h gelding sired by Mineshaft out of a War Front mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/colliery This gorgeous boy sold for $325k as a yearling but wasn't much on the track and retired sound after five starts. He is a cribber although quite mild and when you take a look at his pictures and videos it won't matter much because he is one of the nicest Tb's!
He has spent the past year learning to be a hunt horse with Orange County. This horse is excellent with the hounds. Has been ridden/hunted by staff and in the field. So why is he here? Well after his main rider had to go away for a bit she came back and he developed a bit of a stop on occasion to jumps in the field. She had him check out by the vet and no issues but the reality is that staff and huntsman can't be worrying about their horse while they are worrying about everything else. Yes, she could work with him but they are busy and they have a lot of horses so sometimes you just move on. He easily could be a field horse but honestly I will say I think this one is so nice his talents are better served elsewhere.
He has extensive mileage hacking out, jumping xc jumps, going in groups, going on trails, going with the hounds, etc. He is well schooled in the ring as well.
I hadn't had a good chance to really look at him until today and my gosh no wonder he sold so well as a yearling. He is just stunning. He seems to know he is gorgeous and just stood in the freezing cold posing for us. Very clean legs and some of the nicest feet! I mean I am sure they have a top farrier but it is always exciting to see nice feet.
He showed off some lovely movement in the free area. Love his canter! He was super sensible and just very casual considering he was in a new place.
We hopped on to do his ride and I think there was some drooling on my part and Stacy was like well he would be my second horse. This one is just really so nice. You sit on and see so many and you just know when one is able to compete against the imports. He looks the part and has the talent. We would tune him up just a little. He has a lot of power but just struggles to hold that balance but in the moments he did it was wow! He was happy to stretch and really poke his nose out or go a bit more collected.
We are like little kids who can't contain ourselves so we had to jump him a bit because we just needed to know and well yeah it was exactly what we thought. We just trotted a few as the ring was still pretty frozen but good lord the scope and power on this horse. The hind end is crazy good.
I know the goal is to sell them but I feel like something special just dropped into my lap and I don't want to let it go. Eager to do some more with him.
Free video- https://youtu.be/nAaq22pgu48
Ride- https://youtu.be/RWrbcly1o_s
full details at www.benchmarksporthorses.com
He has spent the past year learning to be a hunt horse with Orange County. This horse is excellent with the hounds. Has been ridden/hunted by staff and in the field. So why is he here? Well after his main rider had to go away for a bit she came back and he developed a bit of a stop on occasion to jumps in the field. She had him check out by the vet and no issues but the reality is that staff and huntsman can't be worrying about their horse while they are worrying about everything else. Yes, she could work with him but they are busy and they have a lot of horses so sometimes you just move on. He easily could be a field horse but honestly I will say I think this one is so nice his talents are better served elsewhere.
He has extensive mileage hacking out, jumping xc jumps, going in groups, going on trails, going with the hounds, etc. He is well schooled in the ring as well.
I hadn't had a good chance to really look at him until today and my gosh no wonder he sold so well as a yearling. He is just stunning. He seems to know he is gorgeous and just stood in the freezing cold posing for us. Very clean legs and some of the nicest feet! I mean I am sure they have a top farrier but it is always exciting to see nice feet.
He showed off some lovely movement in the free area. Love his canter! He was super sensible and just very casual considering he was in a new place.
We hopped on to do his ride and I think there was some drooling on my part and Stacy was like well he would be my second horse. This one is just really so nice. You sit on and see so many and you just know when one is able to compete against the imports. He looks the part and has the talent. We would tune him up just a little. He has a lot of power but just struggles to hold that balance but in the moments he did it was wow! He was happy to stretch and really poke his nose out or go a bit more collected.
We are like little kids who can't contain ourselves so we had to jump him a bit because we just needed to know and well yeah it was exactly what we thought. We just trotted a few as the ring was still pretty frozen but good lord the scope and power on this horse. The hind end is crazy good.
I know the goal is to sell them but I feel like something special just dropped into my lap and I don't want to let it go. Eager to do some more with him.
Free video- https://youtu.be/nAaq22pgu48
Ride- https://youtu.be/RWrbcly1o_s
full details at www.benchmarksporthorses.com
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Bellstollforme
Breed: TB mare
Age: 2019
Height: 16h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2019
Height: 16h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Luxury Boy
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2018
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2018
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Strum M B
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2017
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2017
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Air force Pink
Breed: TB mare
Age: 2018
Height: 16.2h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2018
Height: 16.2h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
American Bad Boy
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2017
Height: 16.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2017
Height: 16.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Conquistador
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2015
Height: 16.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2015
Height: 16.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $TBA subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Conquistador- 7yr 16.3 h gelding sired by Tiznow out of a Distorted Humor mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/conquistador15 This horse really did sell for $2.4 million dollars and was the sale topper at the 2yr sale in Ocala in 2017. He ran 30x and made $160k on the track.
His trainer is the kind that retires them when he thinks it is the right time. Conquistador has an old suspensory and he just didn't want to continue to push him so he could retire and have another career. I had it ultrasounded and it is old and healed but of course anytime a horse has a tendon/ligament issue they will heal with scar tissue. I think he could go on and have any lower level career and be very fancy and gorgeous while doing it.
I will say this horse knows he is class. He is a big regal looking horse. Right now he does need his feet done (happening asap) but he got wormed, teeth done and will get the works.
We got a brief look at him in the free area and he is as nice as expected. Looks to be quite fancy type.
https://youtu.be/n7RWVgdVXFI
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for details.
His trainer is the kind that retires them when he thinks it is the right time. Conquistador has an old suspensory and he just didn't want to continue to push him so he could retire and have another career. I had it ultrasounded and it is old and healed but of course anytime a horse has a tendon/ligament issue they will heal with scar tissue. I think he could go on and have any lower level career and be very fancy and gorgeous while doing it.
I will say this horse knows he is class. He is a big regal looking horse. Right now he does need his feet done (happening asap) but he got wormed, teeth done and will get the works.
We got a brief look at him in the free area and he is as nice as expected. Looks to be quite fancy type.
https://youtu.be/n7RWVgdVXFI
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for details.
Looks Don't Lie
Breed: TB mare
Age: 2018
Height: 15.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $6000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2018
Height: 15.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $6000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Looks Don't Lie- 15.3 h 4yr mare sired by Jimmy Creed https://www.pedigreequery.com/looks+dont+lie I really love the sporty pedigree on this mare! This is another homebred from excellent connections. They bred her, broke her and trained her so have her complete history. They always do a lovely job with their horses and it shows. I laugh because this mare is the biggest food driven one in the barn. All she thinks about is eating. I can tell she was very spoiled :) She last raced two weeks ago. She retired sound after 23 starts. No injuries and has no vices. She does have a bit of a bony calcification on top of the right hind cannon bone which they said she has had for several years now.
This is an extremely sweet mare that would do anything for a peppermint! She really knows she is beautiful and struts around but is extremely well mannered. Excellent shipper. Great in the cross ties, grooming, great for the farrier, etc.
She is really quite a fancy mover but was not interested in really showing it off in the free area. However, under tack she was just really exceptionally nice. Just went right to work. Soft, balanced, willing to bend, over her back and stretchy. I think she could even do the hunters as she learns to stretch down just a bit more but she just makes a very nice natural shape on her own without a lot of help needed from the rider. She really uses her hind end well and was showing some nice swing. I was impressed considering she raced pretty recently. She isn't a huge horse but she has a lot of body to her. Stacy is tall and felt good on her but she is an athletic type of horse that just gives a really good feel.
She strikes me as the type that is just going to be a very brave jumper. She is quite cocky and thinks highly of herself which I appreciate in a horse. She is a quick thinker and has a great work ethic. She goes when you are going but when you are done you can drop the reins and she just is happy to go along.
Free video- https://youtu.be/cVSoZ8fpw1s
Ride video- https://youtu.be/NcelGPcNORw
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details
This is an extremely sweet mare that would do anything for a peppermint! She really knows she is beautiful and struts around but is extremely well mannered. Excellent shipper. Great in the cross ties, grooming, great for the farrier, etc.
She is really quite a fancy mover but was not interested in really showing it off in the free area. However, under tack she was just really exceptionally nice. Just went right to work. Soft, balanced, willing to bend, over her back and stretchy. I think she could even do the hunters as she learns to stretch down just a bit more but she just makes a very nice natural shape on her own without a lot of help needed from the rider. She really uses her hind end well and was showing some nice swing. I was impressed considering she raced pretty recently. She isn't a huge horse but she has a lot of body to her. Stacy is tall and felt good on her but she is an athletic type of horse that just gives a really good feel.
She strikes me as the type that is just going to be a very brave jumper. She is quite cocky and thinks highly of herself which I appreciate in a horse. She is a quick thinker and has a great work ethic. She goes when you are going but when you are done you can drop the reins and she just is happy to go along.
Free video- https://youtu.be/cVSoZ8fpw1s
Ride video- https://youtu.be/NcelGPcNORw
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details
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Eclipsed Moon
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2015
Height: 16.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $5000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2015
Height: 16.3h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $5000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
There is nothing more rewarding than watching one who has been at the track for way longer than it should finally getting a chance to just cut loose. Sure, you cover your eyes a bit but just to see them run, buck and just get to be free is something that never gets old for me. Welcome to your new career, Eclipsed Moon. 68 starts with $135k earned. You deserve it buddy. He was a $400k yearling sired by Malibu Moon out of a Dehere mare. Gorgeous pedigree for eventing. He will be special.
https://www.pedigreequery.com/eclipsed+moon
https://youtu.be/imRBBrBUups
https://www.pedigreequery.com/eclipsed+moon
https://youtu.be/imRBBrBUups
Silver Star Okie
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2018
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $7500 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2018
Height: 16.1h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $7500 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Silver Star Okie- 4yr 16.1 h gelding sired by Home of the Brave https://www.pedigreequery.com/silver+star+okie I had another by this sire that I just absolutely loved. Someone I knew had Okie and he has been off the track for a bit. Well started on the flat, trails, has been on paper chases, trail rides, off the farm trips and started over fences. She said while she really loved him they just weren't the best match. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think of him from the footage I saw. He looked cute but wasn't jumping out at me. I am glad I just decided that he had to be nice with his pedigree and he was cute.
Okie is extremely quiet in the barn. Manners galore! Has been just easy and pleasant for everything we have done with him so far. It is nice when you get those let down with miles on them already.
We had a lot to do today so figured we would just ride him and get to the rest later. It is always interesting to me that sometimes horses aren't exactly what they appear. He looked like this cute but quiet type that wasn't really going to be that fancy. He took about 2 steps off trot and Stacy and I were like well that isn't what we expected. This one is way nicer! Sporty, uphill, great mover, super canter, nice hind leg and just the overall balance. He needs weight, muscle and some new education but those are the things we like to do here. I want to change him to the duo bit because he was just very up and down and a bit angry when touched. Horses that have this kind of power can be tricky because with the wrong bits/riding style they go up and down and not forward. He doesn't quite believe he can go forward yet but we will get that ironed out quite quickly.
I know he can jump and she said he jumps anything and everything which I can imagine. He seems like a brave cocky pocket rocket type and we love those!!!!
He retired sound, no injuries and has no vices.
https://youtu.be/V6u1y77ZCTM
Okie is extremely quiet in the barn. Manners galore! Has been just easy and pleasant for everything we have done with him so far. It is nice when you get those let down with miles on them already.
We had a lot to do today so figured we would just ride him and get to the rest later. It is always interesting to me that sometimes horses aren't exactly what they appear. He looked like this cute but quiet type that wasn't really going to be that fancy. He took about 2 steps off trot and Stacy and I were like well that isn't what we expected. This one is way nicer! Sporty, uphill, great mover, super canter, nice hind leg and just the overall balance. He needs weight, muscle and some new education but those are the things we like to do here. I want to change him to the duo bit because he was just very up and down and a bit angry when touched. Horses that have this kind of power can be tricky because with the wrong bits/riding style they go up and down and not forward. He doesn't quite believe he can go forward yet but we will get that ironed out quite quickly.
I know he can jump and she said he jumps anything and everything which I can imagine. He seems like a brave cocky pocket rocket type and we love those!!!!
He retired sound, no injuries and has no vices.
https://youtu.be/V6u1y77ZCTM
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Singasongsam
Breed: TB gelding
Age: 2017
Height: 17.2h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $10,000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2017
Height: 17.2h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $10,000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Singasongsam- 5yr 17.1 h gelding sired by Songandaprayer https://www.pedigreequery.com/singasongsam Sammy is near and dear to his former connections who bred and owned him his whole career. He retired sound, no injuries and he has no vices. He has done some casual hacking, riding and jumping some little stuff with his owner post retirement but mostly has just hung out. To meet Sammy is to fall in love with Sammy. He is the biggest mush of a horse. He arrived right before Thanksgiving and has just been very easy with everything we have done with him. He is a huge horse with the feet and bone to match but he is so gentle with excellent manners.
I know everyone is going to take one look at his pictures and videos and go crazy so let me tell you that I am positive he had a tie back surgery which almost every huge horse that we get tends to have had done. It is not career limiting. I also notice that I think he has a very very mild bit of stringhalt on his right hind. That again is not something that is career limiting (when mild) but they can lift that leg higher at the walk. I mostly notice it coming out of the stall or if he gets really excited. I have had several horses with it and lots of horses compete at the top levels successfully as it isn't limiting but I want to note it off the top because obviously some will not want anything that isn't perfect.
Sammy has just been a gem to ship, groom, work around, cross ties, great for farrier, baths, etc. Just extremely sweet and kind. He is curious with a very large personality. He loves water and he enjoys playing in his water buckets.
While Sammy looks like a big old giant of a TB he is quite fancy in my opinion for a horse that isn't super fit at the moment. This boy can really move! We got to see his gorgeous movement in the free area and when we rode him we were even more impressed. The more we did the better he got. He really started to open up his stride as we worked on a little bit of bending. He has great push from behind and I just love the way he pushes up through his shoulder into a nice uphill balance. For a big horse he is very light and easy to put together. He isn't strong and he doesn't pull even when he is a out of balance.
He was just really figuring out everything so quickly and enjoying the work. The more she asked the more he was just like yes let me show you exactly what I can do! We didn't want to take advantage of his good nature and do too much but we are excited to see him in the next few rides.
This is one heck of a nice horse! His brain is just so good. I bet he has a great jump on him so we can't wait to test that out soon.
Free video- https://youtu.be/O4jFWoImq5A
Ride video- https://youtu.be/UiVtySGcH1w
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details
I know everyone is going to take one look at his pictures and videos and go crazy so let me tell you that I am positive he had a tie back surgery which almost every huge horse that we get tends to have had done. It is not career limiting. I also notice that I think he has a very very mild bit of stringhalt on his right hind. That again is not something that is career limiting (when mild) but they can lift that leg higher at the walk. I mostly notice it coming out of the stall or if he gets really excited. I have had several horses with it and lots of horses compete at the top levels successfully as it isn't limiting but I want to note it off the top because obviously some will not want anything that isn't perfect.
Sammy has just been a gem to ship, groom, work around, cross ties, great for farrier, baths, etc. Just extremely sweet and kind. He is curious with a very large personality. He loves water and he enjoys playing in his water buckets.
While Sammy looks like a big old giant of a TB he is quite fancy in my opinion for a horse that isn't super fit at the moment. This boy can really move! We got to see his gorgeous movement in the free area and when we rode him we were even more impressed. The more we did the better he got. He really started to open up his stride as we worked on a little bit of bending. He has great push from behind and I just love the way he pushes up through his shoulder into a nice uphill balance. For a big horse he is very light and easy to put together. He isn't strong and he doesn't pull even when he is a out of balance.
He was just really figuring out everything so quickly and enjoying the work. The more she asked the more he was just like yes let me show you exactly what I can do! We didn't want to take advantage of his good nature and do too much but we are excited to see him in the next few rides.
This is one heck of a nice horse! His brain is just so good. I bet he has a great jump on him so we can't wait to test that out soon.
Free video- https://youtu.be/O4jFWoImq5A
Ride video- https://youtu.be/UiVtySGcH1w
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details
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Colorofacloud
Breed: TB mare
Age: 2017
Height: 16.2h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $6500 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2017
Height: 16.2h
Pedigree: Click Here
Price: $6500 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Colorofacloud- 5yr 16.2 h mare sired by Macho Uno out of an Indian Charlie mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/colorofacloud
I LOVE anything by Macho Uno. I think they are top horses.
We have been crazy busy here and when she arrived it seemed like everyone wanted her. However, one rude potential buyer got nixed off our list and then another person set up a vetting just to cancel it the day before the vetting. All those things end up taking up a lot of our time but really in the long run she benefited from a bit of let down. We had something like 20+ horses in here and the reality was we couldn't ride them all so she has had some occasional rides when time allowed.
She got her feet done and stood quietly for hot shoes. She has been so quiet. She is a big sleeper and loves to sleep in her stall. Just very easy going type. Great for clipping, mane pulling, baths, shipping, farrier, etc.
Amanda has spent some time working with her on the lunge to get her forward and straight. She also started to teach her to jump off the lunge line to get her coming to the jumps a bit more out of stride. It is so helpful for them to learn the mechanics on their own.
Each ride we do on her is just better than the last. She may be a plain bay mare but I think she is so fancy. We haven't even found all the gears in there yet but you get glimpses of what is to come. Such a great hind leg. She has a lovely trot but that canter is so special. Tons of jump in the canter. Really just tons of suspension. We are starting to get her straighter and more forward which helps them look down the end of the bridle. Sometimes they are just so wiggly you can't really get the engagement because you don't have them straight. It all just takes the time but that is the fun part. She has a great work ethic and is extremely smart and willing. She always comes out quiet. Even you haven't ridden her in days she is always just as relaxed as you see her here.
She is a really good jumper too. I think it will all come together for her soon. We really enjoy riding her!
https://youtu.be/mfGvoo1Pr7E
https://youtu.be/r2JoXgcgtcU
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details.
I LOVE anything by Macho Uno. I think they are top horses.
We have been crazy busy here and when she arrived it seemed like everyone wanted her. However, one rude potential buyer got nixed off our list and then another person set up a vetting just to cancel it the day before the vetting. All those things end up taking up a lot of our time but really in the long run she benefited from a bit of let down. We had something like 20+ horses in here and the reality was we couldn't ride them all so she has had some occasional rides when time allowed.
She got her feet done and stood quietly for hot shoes. She has been so quiet. She is a big sleeper and loves to sleep in her stall. Just very easy going type. Great for clipping, mane pulling, baths, shipping, farrier, etc.
Amanda has spent some time working with her on the lunge to get her forward and straight. She also started to teach her to jump off the lunge line to get her coming to the jumps a bit more out of stride. It is so helpful for them to learn the mechanics on their own.
Each ride we do on her is just better than the last. She may be a plain bay mare but I think she is so fancy. We haven't even found all the gears in there yet but you get glimpses of what is to come. Such a great hind leg. She has a lovely trot but that canter is so special. Tons of jump in the canter. Really just tons of suspension. We are starting to get her straighter and more forward which helps them look down the end of the bridle. Sometimes they are just so wiggly you can't really get the engagement because you don't have them straight. It all just takes the time but that is the fun part. She has a great work ethic and is extremely smart and willing. She always comes out quiet. Even you haven't ridden her in days she is always just as relaxed as you see her here.
She is a really good jumper too. I think it will all come together for her soon. We really enjoy riding her!
https://youtu.be/mfGvoo1Pr7E
https://youtu.be/r2JoXgcgtcU
www.benchmarksporthorses.com for all details.
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Headsail
Breed: Tb gelding
Age: 2015
Height: 16.2h
Pedigree: Click here
Price: $5000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Age: 2015
Height: 16.2h
Pedigree: Click here
Price: $5000 subject to change
Link to lots of photos: Click Here
Headsail- 7yr 16.2 h gelding sired by Mizzen Mast out of a Hennessy mare https://www.pedigreequery.com/headsail Olaf as he called ran 3x as a 3yr and was painfully slow. He has spent the rest of the time as a pony horse and as an outrider horse. I had seen him listed online and a friend had commented on his ad that she owned him and he was extremely well broke, tons of trail miles, went through water, english and western and just so much miles on him. I have another friend who rode him while he was at Delaware Park and told me he was one of the best broke horses she had ever sat on. His ad basically said he was a horse anyone could ride.
I bought him and then I started to get a bunch of calls that essentially wanted to ensure that I knew what his last owner broke her pelvis when he flipped on her. I also heard he had bucked off his other owner once on the track. It was hard to sort out what had went wrong along the way. I had already purchased him and to be honest, I felt like I owed it to him to sort it out. I will say that when I confronted his connections they gave me a little discount on his price as I do think they wanted him to go to the right place. She said she doesn't think he flipped but he spooked and she pulled him on top of her which can happen very very easily.
When I got him we just went to work on worming him, doing his feet (they were horrible), getting his teeth done (talk about having a reason to be reactive in his mouth...holy heck they were bad) and just putting on weight/muscle. He was turned out for 6 weeks just to be a horse. I had a lot of interaction with him and I really felt like he was about as easy of a horse as it gets. He would always coming running up when he saw my car pull up. He would put his head on my shoulder and just get love. He was kind, quiet, relaxed and about as non-reactive as you could want a horse to be. I felt strongly I could have hopped up on him bareback and rode him all around. Horses tell you who they are and I never ever got any kind of feeling he was anything but genuine.
We brought him back to the farm and we started doing some lunge work with him. What we realized is that nobody had ever touched his mouth. He was just very unsure what to do with any kind of pressure in his mouth. However, in a few lunge sessions he totally figured it out. Now he doesn't love his mouth, face or ears being messed with in general. He will tolerate it but he doesn't love it. I just think with his teeth being so bad he maybe was defensive. I can tell you it is very easy to pull over a horse that is super soft in the mouth and is going in a strong bit especially if they have a tie down on. It can happen in a blink of an eye. We pushed all his buttons and he just never showed any indication that he wanted to do anything but what was asked of him.
Amanda is super duper sick but felt comfortable enough having worked with him on the ground to pop on for a very short ride. He was quiet, relaxed and happy. Really started to stretch down. You can see one moment in the canter where he went to brace and she just let go and he relaxed right away.
Look, I am going to be honest here and say that the riding these horses get as pony horses/out riding horses isn't always the best. The tack isn't always tack that fits. This horse has a very tall wither and hollows on the side of the wither that I think would be super hard to fit a western saddle to. He is SO SO soft in his mouth that the bits I saw pictures of him in make me think geez yeah he probably felt trapped. Sometimes horses just don't tolerate certain things. They don't like certain riders. I think he is the kind of horse that if you grab his mouth and hold him while goosing him with your seat he may buck. I mean he hasn't so far but he is just an overall soft horse that goes around like a hunter so it is very possible he just hate the way he was being ridden.
He is going to get some more rides and all the things so we can ensure he is what we think that he is and can get him the right situation. When I tell you he is the kindest horse you will know it if you meet him. He hasn't met a person he doesn't love. He has the cutest little nicker. He makes me smile every day.
He is a very very big bodied 16.2 and probably 1400lbs and I know he will gain more. He is an easy keeper. Good feet. No vices. I will say that he makes some noise at the canter. Right now he is out of shape but I think likely is a bit of a roarer.
He is the easiest puppy dog type of horse you could want in the barn. He just goes anywhere and everywhere you want. He was the baby sitter for another horse. He has no buddy issues. No drama. Ships like a dream. Cross ties, baths, clippers, etc. He isn't spooky. He doesn't even really need a halter or lead rope to walk. I bet he would follow you anywhere. He loves all treats and really just pretty much is all about eating.
So to say we love this horse is a bit of an understatement. Maybe he was meant to come here and all things happen for a reason. I really would like him to go to someone who will just love him as much as we do and I think he would like a slower lifestyle.
Ride video- https://youtu.be/HpvIByA0FSY
I bought him and then I started to get a bunch of calls that essentially wanted to ensure that I knew what his last owner broke her pelvis when he flipped on her. I also heard he had bucked off his other owner once on the track. It was hard to sort out what had went wrong along the way. I had already purchased him and to be honest, I felt like I owed it to him to sort it out. I will say that when I confronted his connections they gave me a little discount on his price as I do think they wanted him to go to the right place. She said she doesn't think he flipped but he spooked and she pulled him on top of her which can happen very very easily.
When I got him we just went to work on worming him, doing his feet (they were horrible), getting his teeth done (talk about having a reason to be reactive in his mouth...holy heck they were bad) and just putting on weight/muscle. He was turned out for 6 weeks just to be a horse. I had a lot of interaction with him and I really felt like he was about as easy of a horse as it gets. He would always coming running up when he saw my car pull up. He would put his head on my shoulder and just get love. He was kind, quiet, relaxed and about as non-reactive as you could want a horse to be. I felt strongly I could have hopped up on him bareback and rode him all around. Horses tell you who they are and I never ever got any kind of feeling he was anything but genuine.
We brought him back to the farm and we started doing some lunge work with him. What we realized is that nobody had ever touched his mouth. He was just very unsure what to do with any kind of pressure in his mouth. However, in a few lunge sessions he totally figured it out. Now he doesn't love his mouth, face or ears being messed with in general. He will tolerate it but he doesn't love it. I just think with his teeth being so bad he maybe was defensive. I can tell you it is very easy to pull over a horse that is super soft in the mouth and is going in a strong bit especially if they have a tie down on. It can happen in a blink of an eye. We pushed all his buttons and he just never showed any indication that he wanted to do anything but what was asked of him.
Amanda is super duper sick but felt comfortable enough having worked with him on the ground to pop on for a very short ride. He was quiet, relaxed and happy. Really started to stretch down. You can see one moment in the canter where he went to brace and she just let go and he relaxed right away.
Look, I am going to be honest here and say that the riding these horses get as pony horses/out riding horses isn't always the best. The tack isn't always tack that fits. This horse has a very tall wither and hollows on the side of the wither that I think would be super hard to fit a western saddle to. He is SO SO soft in his mouth that the bits I saw pictures of him in make me think geez yeah he probably felt trapped. Sometimes horses just don't tolerate certain things. They don't like certain riders. I think he is the kind of horse that if you grab his mouth and hold him while goosing him with your seat he may buck. I mean he hasn't so far but he is just an overall soft horse that goes around like a hunter so it is very possible he just hate the way he was being ridden.
He is going to get some more rides and all the things so we can ensure he is what we think that he is and can get him the right situation. When I tell you he is the kindest horse you will know it if you meet him. He hasn't met a person he doesn't love. He has the cutest little nicker. He makes me smile every day.
He is a very very big bodied 16.2 and probably 1400lbs and I know he will gain more. He is an easy keeper. Good feet. No vices. I will say that he makes some noise at the canter. Right now he is out of shape but I think likely is a bit of a roarer.
He is the easiest puppy dog type of horse you could want in the barn. He just goes anywhere and everywhere you want. He was the baby sitter for another horse. He has no buddy issues. No drama. Ships like a dream. Cross ties, baths, clippers, etc. He isn't spooky. He doesn't even really need a halter or lead rope to walk. I bet he would follow you anywhere. He loves all treats and really just pretty much is all about eating.
So to say we love this horse is a bit of an understatement. Maybe he was meant to come here and all things happen for a reason. I really would like him to go to someone who will just love him as much as we do and I think he would like a slower lifestyle.
Ride video- https://youtu.be/HpvIByA0FSY
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