Adopted: Charlie Windsor ("Charlie")

Adopted:  2006 Sex:  Gelding Age:  3 years Breeding:  Kentucky bred Notes:  One eye Charlie has beautiful movement with long balanced stride. He is an excellent hunter or pleasure prospect. He is sound, but only has one eye due to a pasture accident as a yearling. It was love at first sight for these two! Niki is the proud owner of Charlie and is planning on doing some small Hunter shows on Vancouver Island while also hanging out and having fun with Charlie. Congratulations Niki! Update from Niki - June 17, 2006 With Charlie and I's 2 year anniversary being today, I thought it would be nice to send you guys an update about him. I'm as happy as ever with him. We went to our first show together yesterday, entering 3 green horse hack classes (Walk / Trot / Canter). I originally went with intentions of doing walk/trot classes, but my coach talked me into w/t/c classes "But Charlies' canter is FABULOUS!" she kept reminding me. Charlie placed 4th in each class. I was in a nervous stupor (haven't been to a horse show in over 4 years!) but Charlie was amazing! He was acting like an old pro; not rattled by all the activity going on everywhere, nor all the horses, or riders / coaches / officials / parents running around franticly. I was actually really surprised, as Charlie usually has a bit of a "wired" streak. He certainly didn't show it at the horse show, though. I was extremely proud of him! and... Hey, I realize that I already e-mailed you an update on Charlie recently, but, I really feel the need to brag!! Yesterday Charlie and I competed in his second horse show. We did 5 green horse classes which were Show Hack, Hunter Under Saddle, Road Hack, English Pleasure, and Hunt Seat Equitation. Charlie won 3 first places, and 2 second places, which made him High Point in his division!! He won a bridle as a prize (but unfortunately, it doesn't fit him :( ). Also, the judge came into the arena to talk to some of the competitors, and critique them a little. She had nothing negative to say to us; she commented that she LOVED his movement, and she couldn't believe how quiet/well-behaved he is for a horse with only one eye. And quiet he was!! He acted like he's been showing for years; he wasn't spooky at all, and didn't seem to mind all the horses running every-which way around him. Alot of people commented on how cute he was, too :) I was pleasantly surprised at this show, and I'm soooooooooooo proud of Charlie!!! I was getting really nervous before the show started, but Charlie was so quiet, and just plodded along. He took good care of me, lol, I was a nervous wreck (I have harsh anxiety problems). We also jumped for the third time 2 days ago. We did some 18" cross poles and 2'3 verticals. He LOVES jumping, and doesn't have a problem with depth perception (some people had told me that he would have this problem, because of his eye). It's so cute, he sees the jump and perks his ears right forward and then speeds up to the fence, lol. I haven't jumped in 4 years, so I was flailing a little and Charlie didn't mind at all. He was getting great distances, and he has really great form (for such little fences!). His jump feels weird to me, because he really rounds his back over the jump, making like a bascule, where as my other horses jumped really flat, so I've gotta learn to keep up to his motion. I've also been taking dressage lessons twice a week on Charlie, and we're attending a dressage show on June 26th (I think that's when it is). We'll be doing a couple of Training level tests. I'm sure he'll be a superstar like always :D I'm so in love with my horse!! I've never ridden a horse as sweet as Charlie. He LOVES to please his rider, and he actually enjoys being ridden. He's the first horse I've ever ridden like that. Everyone who meets him just falls in love with his personality, I always get comments about what a wonderful guy he is (from trainers, coaches, barn managers, friends). I think Charlie and I were meant to be together, in the grand scheme of things. He's so sensitive to me, I can just think of what I'm going to ask him next (transitions or turn or something) and he does it before I can ask. His responsiveness is another great part of his personality and ride ability. Thanks New Stride for giving me such an amazing, sweet, and gorgeous best friend! Niki To see horses currently available for adoption, please visit our Horses for Adoption page!

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