I've had a few...
Sooner States Melody, one of my first two mare purchases. Got her for a broodmare, but chose her to be the first mini I trained to drive, then for other events, between foals! We've been together for 24 years this year--she has produced several top quality foals(Multiple National Top Ten/Winner Jess Rocky Rabbit,who now belongs to the immediate past president of AMHA, Mike Want, is one; my own two geldings by Landrys Cowboy Del, a LOVELY black mare named Jess Poppis Music who is an extraordinary ADS-style driving mare, in pair and single, to name only part of them)...she also excelled in Driving, Obstacle, In-hand and Driven, Hunter, and even Showmanship(when she was in her late teens(!),I loaned her to a local youth who tragically lost his horse to untimely death several years ago-- he worked her in Showmanship, something I'd not done with her, won All-Around Youth at our State Fair AMHA show that year!) I quit breeding her after my two Cowboy Del colts--the last is 13 years old--Cowboy was no longer available;he'd moved to Oregon....
--, and I had nothing of my own, nor in this area, I felt was a good cross for her, so I let her retire from breeding. She is still hale and hearty!
Torreyanas Kima Saby, my first show gelding. Bought him at 8 months of age,trained and made him an AMHA Champion; despite the fact that he was NOT your usual 'laid back' mini, he excelled in Hunter, Jumper, both Obstacles(sometimes; he was a spook!), Roadster, Driving, Showmanship. Now 23, last year I gave him to a wonderful driving instructor in MS (NOT a 'mini' trainer, but a lifetime horsewoman who had just the right job for him!)
And, the love of my life, the horse in my avatar, Jess Cowboys Top Hand! One of Melody's sons, I bred, raised, trained him entirely...he is also an AMHA Champion. He 'didn't do' Roadster(I have his brother for that, however!), nor Jumper, but excels in EVERYTHING else, including being the most loveable character EVER! He is the one I can take to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING...yet when he is 'jazzed', he does 'airs above the ground', all on his own! I keep thinking I might try training him to 'dance' with me!!
All these horses are excellent movers; I have never entered ANYTHING in Liberty, because I never had entry money to spend on what I consider a somewhat pointless class(no insult meant, just my personal 'take' on it....), but all three, plus Handy's full brother, might well have done well there also. I REALLY LIKE well-trained, versatile, athletic, 'all-around', horses...did with my 'bigs', do with minis!!
(AMHA Championships require a certain no. of points in Color, Halter, various categories of performance....it's all in the rulebook.)
Margo
