So back in 2017 You had me posting more about my 2015 RRP Field Hunter winner, “Gin Joint” and then, from what I can see, I kind of fell silent. So here’s the rest of the story.
The stutter steps seen back then when he was swapping off before fences were found to be related to cervical arthritis. I could inject his neck or find him a lower level life. At that time I was against the injections because it felt like a step more serious than a regular hock injection. So I opted to find him an easier life. (Sidenote: I feel like having seen way more horses I know who have had their necks injected now, I would at least consider it if it was recommended. )
Enter a friend of mine I had met through FB because she bought Gin’s brother. Long story trying to go shorter, she took Gin in on her new farm they bought for his brother and “Ghost” and “Gin” have lived in paradise in Tennessee since 2018 on 50 acres. Gin was ridden a bit in the beginning but then life took over and he became a true pasture puff.
Fast forward to this summer. My friend announced her pregnancy when she was 5 months along and we all decided that life changes beyond our imaginations are coming and some big changes need to be made. Chief among them, Gin needed to come home.
So I finally sent Chad to a friend in Middleburg who had been begging to try him for 3 years, and that is going even better than I could imagine and Gin returned to PA.
As we have played with trial saddles etc I knew Gin was going to be better off if we shipped around and did stuff for some fun, rather than stay locked in the ring at my land locked rental barn.
So this past Saturday we went to a TB show and did a couple rounds in the 2’3" TB hunters.
(We left off in 2017 doing the 1.10m jumpers)
We had a blast. I got the best hunter ribbons of my life and Gin is excellent for me learning the hunter things (To try to shore up my EQ and round smoothness etc to benefit Cudo and any other of my future jumpers )
I am beyond “Chuffed,” to quote my friend who has Chad, and cannot wait to go do it again. Something I never thought I would say about hunters!!!
Enjoy the video. There’s obviously still a ton to learn, a standing martingale to buy, WAY more muscles to develop and fun to be had, but it was a great day. I finished 3rd with this round in the Jr/Am class out of over 25 people.
I’m so happy to have Gin home and can’t wait to see what comes in his “Senior” career since he’s now 15 years old. We’re both having a ball though and it’s great to have my barn filled with my Champions. Gin, Cudo and then the two unrideables LOL. Soooo 50% champions
Em
