I,for one,would be very interested in hearing the whole story of Dux from A to Z. Not to point any fingers or lay any blame, but only because it sounds like a truly fascinating story and it deserves to be told.
He is a man that knows what he likes and does not like, obviously. A very handsome one at that.
We need more way cute photos of him.
The Story From A to Z
I know alot of people would like all of the details.
I have alot of his history, but not all of it. There are still pieces missing in this puzzle.
I still would like to know who brought him to the US and what he was doing prior to being in PA.
I pretty much have whatever is available through USEF and the Australian registry, but there are a few years that have not been accounted for. Anyone with any information, I would love to hear from you.
Also, anyone who would have information on his brief Australian racing history, sharing would be appreciated.
SPOILED SWEET check your PMs. I will not discuss names as that is not my place but perhaps you may understand my perspective a little more after you read your message.
I am away in another state seeng my daughter, so have not had a chance to ring the Aust owners again. What are the brands? I can look him up on the stud book resitry if you know the brands. I need to know both brands, the date/drop and the stud brand.
SOOO glad you dropped the “Yobbo”. From what people from that part of the world posted, it did not translate precisely to “redneck”, but was an insult. Like “spic” does not translate precisely to “Italian.” Just shows you that you can’t name a horse without jnowing them!!! I am a firm believer that the horse “tells” you his name.
Wouldn’t it be nice if people factored in the retirement of the horse when they purchased it in the first place? Rather than scrape by in order to compete at the top levels, they stay home for the winter, or do local A shows year round, or even just do unrated shows, or even - GASP - not show at all?
Seems to me if you’re scraping by (and I don’t mean you personally, but the people to whom you allude) to show in the big leagues then maybe you should reconsider the distribution of your weath, and consider the worth of the life of the animal at your side.
I’m facing that “difficult situation” that you mention. And guess what - I’m not going to sell my horse because he is unable to do the job that I ask of him. I’m just going to change his job - if it comes to that. It may mean I won’t attain my showing goals. Too bad for me.
Times are too hard to throw your horse into the universe and expect the universe to find a good place for it - and Tazer’s story is a perfect example of this. The only good home is your own home. I wish more horse owners could think this way.
I saw he was owned by Cara Cheska and I use to take lessons at Cheska the same time he was there (according to USEF records). He looks familiar, but I can’t say for sure if I remember him (it seems like forever ago). Good luck with him Tazer…he looks like a sweet horse!!!
Thank you Tazer,
For rescuing one of our little aussie horses.
I just hope the rest of our expat horses end up in such great homes.
We aussies are proud of our little horses, and try and follow them no matter what country they are riding for, but often they get shipped off to the great wide world, and we never see or hear of them again.
Thank you for having such a big wonderful heart.
Thank you.
They’re not Root Beer Barrels
…but I did find some hard root beer candies at TSC tonight and bought Dux a bag.
We’ll see how His Majesty likes these, and keep searching for the real thing.
He’s been settling for…
Plain old carrots, and seems very happy to have them 
When are you coming by with the goods? I’ll let him know!
Tazer, Dux sounds like quite the character. :winkgrin: :lol:
This is a great story, Tazer you are a star!
Someone said earlier that this story can be used for learning, learning how we can account for our horses and when they can’t do the job we wanted for, what can we do?
When I sold a gelding that was not working out for me, I sold him with a contract that stated he was to be returned to me for retirement. I email the new owners regularly for updates and have been even known to drive by the farm to check on him. Other mare, who I sold to a friend earlier, ended up on my vet’s farm. I did not include the retirment clause in her contract, she was a friend and I had thought she loved the mare. I went seaching for the mare the minute I heard she had gotten rid of her. I was so happy she was found and that is when I vowed never to sell another unless I included the retirement clause.
I know not everyone has their own farm for retirement, but I do think we should be responsible for the horses we have owned. We complain about places like New Holland and lack of funds, but it time we took our own responsiblities seriously and provide care for the old ones. I do understand the person that sells horses for a living may not be able to house the retired horses they sold, but what about the people who bought the horse?
Maybe some of the organizations that collect fees for memberships or showing could lead a charity organization funded to provide homes for these guys? If a dollar from every event across the world went to retirement for the horses, just think how this would change attitudes!
I’ve started to post this several times, but stopped for whatever reasons, but I will try again.
I do have a show horse on the downside of his career. When my daughter left for college, we leased him because he was still young and he loved to horse show. He has been to Harrisburg eq finals 6 times and the Maclay finals 3 times. He has won state eq ride off finals in two states, and many year end awards for several different riders. He has told us he wants to move down, so he is only leased to show the 3’ divisions. He has paid his dues, but is not yet done. He loves the shows and loves the attention. He is healthy and he is happy doing what he is doing.
The problem? At 14, he is approaching retirement, and I find in my post divorce situation, I cannot afford to give him that retirement. My daughter cannot either any time soon. Who knows how her finances will be in the next few years. I thought we would own this sweet boy forever. And it is breaking my heart.
The point? Do not judge all the prior owners of a horse who wind up like Dux until you know the story. I fear this for our boy, and I fear more that there is nothing I can do to save him if he is no longer in my control.
dcm- from what I understand though, a horse who’s done the Eq classes like that can be leased for a huge amount, so hasn’t he earned money that could have been set aside for his retirement?
I mean no disrespect, just asking since what I hear is that those horses go for leases costing $30k for a show season, and sometimes $10k for one show [like doing one of the Eq finals].
Maybe I’m wrong.
Maybe DCM did not get that kind of money. Maybe DCM needed that money to pay for her daughter’s college. Lots of maybes.
I see no reason to judge someone in a situation like this.
dcm- from what I understand though, a horse who’s done the Eq classes like that can be leased for a huge amount, so hasn’t he earned money that could have been set aside for his retirement?
I mean no disrespect, just asking since what I hear is that those horses go for leases costing $30k for a show season, and sometimes $10k for one show [like doing one of the Eq finals].
Maybe I’m wrong.
But 2 seasons leased at $30k each is $60k and that is 200 months of board at $300/month retirement board. 10 years of retirement paid for by my math.
Again, maybe I’m wrong?
[QUOTE=trubandloki;3822365]
Maybe DCM did not get that kind of money. Maybe DCM needed that money to pay for her daughter’s college. Lots of maybes.
I see no reason to judge someone in a situation like this.[/QUOTE]
Who’s judging?
I asked a question so I could understand, and admitted I might be wrong.
Who peed in your cornflakes?
People have bills! Bottom line! Someone’s financial situation can change in one day. Think Madoff. While setting aside retirement funds for horses might sound like a solve-all problem, any money made off of horses (which is a rare occasion, usually it is a drop in the bucket compared to what has previously been spent on said horse) probably goes to pay bills. As someone who used show the A’s avidly, we could have never afforded to keep all the horses when they retired. The were sold or given away before the end of their careers to someone who could use them, ie-lower level competition, trail horse, companion horse, etc…
I guess it is hard to read tone in your post, but you did come off as being very judgmental.
To me it sounds like DCM is having a hard enough time with the situation with out someone telling them they should have done it differently.
And I do not do cornflakes. :yes:
