Kendra
Well-Known Member
Ever since we bought him in 1991, North Stars Valdez Y Basan has been our #1 stallion. We showed him lots as a young horse, in halter and driving, with his biggest win being a Reserve National Champion at the 1992 AMHA National Show. At the age of 11, a good friend talked us into bringing him out of retirement and he won Reserve Canadian National Senior Stallion with her (extremely!) skilled handling. Later that year, Valdez got his head caught underneath a gate and was badly injured. His facial nerves were cut on both sides of his head and he had great difficulty eating as his lips wouldn't close. His spinal cord was damaged and initially he could stand, but to move from place to place he needed support on both sides to stay upright. There was a time when we thought we might lose him, but with a lot of veterinary care, he pulled through. That was 10 years ago.
This year our club show was close to home (as it is every other year) and they once again offered a "Geriatric Horse" halter class, for horses 20 years and older. It's just for fun, but this spring I started thinking about taking Valdez. He's as sound as he's been in 10 years this year, and while there are many of his foals and grand-foals out showing at all our local shows, there was people who had never seen him, and I thought it would be nice to get him out there.
We literally pulled him out of the pasture with his mares and took him to town. One bath later, he was ready to show! He didn't show til Sunday, and arrived at the show mid-day Friday. Valdez isn't used to being in a stall, and even with frequent walks, by Sunday he was pretty stiff. Luckily, with lots of walking and massaging of his hind legs, he loosened right up. Valdez was so excited to be at the show, which is funny, because he wasn't really a big fan of being a show horse when it was his primary occupation. He mooched treats from everyone in the hitching ring while waiting for his classes, and watched the show with great interest.
Valdez was Grand Champion Senior Stallion under both judges! It was very exciting for me to get the chance to show him, as I never have before (I was too young to show a stallion when he was first showing) and for him to do so well. The judges were very surprised when Valdez came into the Geriatric Horse class, which is a great compliment to him! He won first under both judges. Then he finished the show with a Judges Choice, an award given to the horse the judge would most like to take home with them.
Valdez at 21 years young: (thanks to my friend Christine Tilleman for the photos of Val!)
Valdez and Christine's stallion, Ivan's Chief, the Reserve Champion - pair of pretty bay pintos!
After the show finished, we asked everyone who was showing Valdez get or grand-get to bring them to the arena for a photo. We're so grateful to everyone for the chance to get this picture!
Sunday evening we went home, and turned Val back out with his girls, but it was a great little adventure!
This year our club show was close to home (as it is every other year) and they once again offered a "Geriatric Horse" halter class, for horses 20 years and older. It's just for fun, but this spring I started thinking about taking Valdez. He's as sound as he's been in 10 years this year, and while there are many of his foals and grand-foals out showing at all our local shows, there was people who had never seen him, and I thought it would be nice to get him out there.
We literally pulled him out of the pasture with his mares and took him to town. One bath later, he was ready to show! He didn't show til Sunday, and arrived at the show mid-day Friday. Valdez isn't used to being in a stall, and even with frequent walks, by Sunday he was pretty stiff. Luckily, with lots of walking and massaging of his hind legs, he loosened right up. Valdez was so excited to be at the show, which is funny, because he wasn't really a big fan of being a show horse when it was his primary occupation. He mooched treats from everyone in the hitching ring while waiting for his classes, and watched the show with great interest.
Valdez was Grand Champion Senior Stallion under both judges! It was very exciting for me to get the chance to show him, as I never have before (I was too young to show a stallion when he was first showing) and for him to do so well. The judges were very surprised when Valdez came into the Geriatric Horse class, which is a great compliment to him! He won first under both judges. Then he finished the show with a Judges Choice, an award given to the horse the judge would most like to take home with them.
Valdez at 21 years young: (thanks to my friend Christine Tilleman for the photos of Val!)
Valdez and Christine's stallion, Ivan's Chief, the Reserve Champion - pair of pretty bay pintos!
After the show finished, we asked everyone who was showing Valdez get or grand-get to bring them to the arena for a photo. We're so grateful to everyone for the chance to get this picture!
Sunday evening we went home, and turned Val back out with his girls, but it was a great little adventure!
