my horsey

my horse is called rio, i think we have established that by now.  if you aren't a horsey person, then you better leave, the next bit is gonna be pretty boring...

rio is a 22 yr-old part-arab gelding.  he is a gorgeous palomino - no white socks, just a plain white blaze.  i have had him about...2 years now, although it seems more like 2 weeks.

i got rio from my riding instructor clare, on loan, after my horse died in 1998.  for the first year, i thought i was never going to get along with him - although he is a real sweety, i found him very hard to ride at first - he is quite strong when he wants to be!  now we get along just great though...most of the time...

rio used to do a lot of showjumping and cross-country with clare.  he is only 15hh, but is very quick on his feet, and beats a lot of the bigger horses because of his speed. 

around 1995, rio got kicked and fractured his hind leg.  many vets advised clare to put him down, but she paid ridiculous amounts of money, and also managed to find someone who was willing to try and save him.  so, lucky for me, the vet did a good job and he is good as new (nearly!)

nowadays, rio is getting quite old, and can't do as much as he used to.  we do a lot of flatwork and schooling, and he is a lot more calm and relaxed now his competing days are over.  he still does a little bit of jumping every so often, and in the summer i like to show him as in-hand as much as possible.  this year he has been lame quite a lot, so i have only been to one show.  we got a third in the "handsomest gelding" class...i was really pleased!

click here to get a picture of rio

go back home ~ get me outta here!