by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: March 10, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

COPPER CHAMPION

Angie was born to be a babysitter.

As a youngster, the lovely chestnut mare excelled at three-day eventing. From primo Westphalian bloodlines, she was built to jump with elegance and ease. She cleared water hazards, walls and other obstacles handily.

A sturdy red beauty with two front white socks and a striking stripe on her face, Angie outran every entry in the field.

During dressage classes, performing high-level tests alone in the ring with a rider, Angie dazzled the judges with her lovely lateral work and prancing poise. Stellar scores and complimentary comments filled her show reports.

In stadium jumping, no one could touch her. Like her renowned sire before her, Angie owned the course.

She glowed in the sun, but she shined brightest in a show.

A CHANGE OF PACE

Eventually, however, as eventing horses do, Angie suffered an injury. Leaping a floral jump in the field, she was kicked by a spooked Hanoverian stallion. He clipped her left hind leg with one hoof, and she went down hard.

After two months of stall rest and another month of hand-walking, Angie was ready to begin working again. The mare was sound, but her eventing days were over. At seven, she became solely a dressage mount.

RIBBONS AND WONDERS

Ever the competitor, Angie was formidable in the show ring. She flipped through flying lead changes, half passes and shoulder-in movements with grace. She piaffed and pirouetted, seemingly enjoying the judges' attention and accolades.

A FAMILY HORSE

Finally, as Angie turned ten, her young owner lost interest in horseback riding. She had set her sights on college, career plans and young men.

That's where I came in. After about a year of horseback riding lessons, I was just about ready to purchase my first horse. After viewing and trying out several potential mounts, I visited the competition barn where Angie was boarded. One ride with Angie, and I was sold.

Two weeks later, our equine veterinarian performed the pre-purchase examination and pronounced Angie sound and healthy. She joined the family a week later.

JUST A LITTLE JUMPY

We boarded Angie at a busy hunter/jumper show facility. The stalls were generously sized, and the indoor and outdoor arenas were superb. However, the turnout pastures were limited. Angie was given about an hour of turnout each day in a small paddock with a young Trakehner mare. This was not nearly enough.

I tried faithfully to ride Angie daily, indoors or out. Usually, the mare was compliant and fairly calm, at least after a fair amount

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