What is a half halt? Why is it used? When do you apply it? Does the half halt serve a purpose for the naturally gaited horse? Can a half halt improve the quality of gait?
Half Halt Awakening: Does the Half Halt Serve a Purpose for the Naturally Gaited Horse?
When I flew to Alabama in January to be Jennie Jackson’s working, the half halt wasn’t one of the questions I had on my mind. Instead I was interested in learning how to lengthen the stride of a running walk without rushing. I was soon to learn that the half halt was the secret ingredient to do just that.
The half halt is a broad term used to rebalance the horse, and as a dressage rider, I’ve been acquainted with the half halt for decades. Yet, I had not understood its application with the naturally gaited horse. My focus had been establishing a head nodding even rhythm and a SMOOTH gait. Beyond that I hadn’t developed an awareness for the need of half halts that could lead to gait quality.
That is, until I traveled to Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center and rode with Jennie. Each day I rode several naturally gaited Tennessee walking horses of various training levels. Some were green, others were well schooled, and one was being rehabilitated from Big Lick. Within each level of training, some horses rushed, others leaned on the bit, some took small quick steps, and some barged through the outside shoulder in a lateral exercise. In each case, Jennie taught me the importance and application of the half halt.
From Jennie’s coaching, I had a half halt awakening that taught me three important keys to its effectiveness. The first key is to become aware of when a half halt is needed; the second key is knowing and consistently applying the half halt aids at the right time; and the third key is knowing when to release the half halt.
Applying half halts with the naturally gaited horse
Awareness of need: Now that the ice has melted and it’s safe to ride again, I’ve been putting half halts into practice with the horses I ride. I’m amazed with how many half halts are applied within a riding session and how many reasons a half halt is needed. I’m using half halts to prepare my horse for a transition, whenever my horse leans on the bridle, or rushes, or becomes distracted, or feels heavy on the forehand and needs to re-shift its balance onto the hindquarters. Whenever my horse takes short quick steps, and whenever my horse bulges through the shoulder in a lateral movement.
Aids of the half halt: After I recognize the need for a half halt, I simultaneously freeze my lower back, still my hip joints from following my horse’s movement, and squeeze my fingers on the reins without pulling back. I hold this position until the release.
Timing of the release: Riding several horses of various training, along with Jennie’s coaching, really pointed out that the release of a half halt is not a one-size-fits-all. Sensitive horses will respond to the half halt quicker than less sensitive horses. One horse I rode tended to rush and a two-second half halt was applied before the horse responded. Another horse I rode also rushed, but she was much more sensitive so the half halt was released in a half second. As soon as the horse responds to the half halt by slowing down, or rebalancing, or straightening through the outside shoulder, or taking a deeper stride under its body, it is important to release the half halt. This means opening my fingers without letting the reins slip through, relaxing my lower back and resume following the horse’s motion through my hip joints alternating to the rise and fall of the belly sway which is in sync with the hind legs as they step under the body.
Sometimes a half halt and release is followed up with another half halt and release because the horse responded to the first half halt, took a couple balanced steps, and then rushed off again. Over time, with consistent half halts and releases in response to the rushing, the horse will rush less.
One horse I rode was barn sour. Every time we headed away from her friends, the horse began moving sideways. I tried to overcome this by riding with a fixed outside rein against her neck. It wasn’t working. Instead, Jennie encourage me to apply the outside rein like a half halt, then lift both reins up and over to the other side, and release. For this mare, the release made all the difference.
I am becoming more aware through the sense of feel just how half halts are rebalancing my horse to shift more weight onto the hindquarters, helping my horse become lighter on the bridle and rounder in the frame, and slowing my horse whenever she rushes to encourage deeper strides under her body.
This half halt awakening has opened my eyes to many benefits the half halt brings to the naturally gaited horse and in improving the gait quality of the horses I ride.
I’ve been a horse-crazy dressage rider for nearly 30 years. In 2007, my aching back gave up that bouncy sitting trot, and I bought Gift of Freedom (Makana), my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse. SMOOTH was all I had in mind. I wanted to ride a horse that would be easier on my aging body.
In fact, showing dressage wasn’t even a considered when I looked at Makana, because I thought dressage was only for horses that trot. But dressage had been the only riding style I knew, so that’s what became our training language.
I love dressage because of the connection and harmony it brings between me and my horse. I love the relaxation, rhythm, balance, and impulsion it creates. I love how natural and humane it is as a training method. Connection, harmony, relaxation, rhythm, balance, and impulsion works for all horses whether they trot or gait. Plus, I love how dressage challenges me to become a better rider and communicator to my horse through the use of my aids.
I live on a rural hobby farm with few dressage instructors nearby, so I’ve began coasting on the knowledge I had gained from 12 years of traditional dressage lessons.
Then I joined a local TWH association and began attending clinics whenever gaited dressage instructors traveled to Minnesota and Wisconsin. I learned from people like Jennie Jackson, Larry Whitesell, Jennifer Bauer, and Bucky Sparks.
Makana has been barefoot for as long as I’ve owned her, and so are the other horses at my farm. A few years ago I began to study natural barefoot trimming and the importance of a low carbohydrate diet. I keep all of my horses trimmed on a regular basis. My husband likes the cost savings, but I like the natural and holistic approach to hoof care. Trimming hooves is pretty good exercise, too!
Meanwhile, through the Tennessee walking horse association, I learned that down South some Tennessee walking horses are shod with heavy shoes, thick pads, and chains. Caustic substances are applied to their front feet to intentionally make them sore. All this is done to accentuate their movement in what is known as the “Big Lick.” This isn’t dressage, nor is it natural or humane. In fact, it is illegal to sore horses this way. Yet still goes on because it is hard to enforce.
Then I became introduced to FOSH (Friends of Sound Horses) and the NWHA (National Walking Horse Association). FOSH is on the front lines fighting against soring and abuse, and both organizations are firm supporters of natural and humane training methods.
In 2010, three years after Makana and I had began my backyard gaited dressage journey, I learned of a tradition schooling dressage show only 10 miles away. I contacted the show manager and asked if I could ride my Tennessee walking horse and replace trot with flat walk. The show manager agreed. Little did I know that the NWHA had already written tests which did exactly that.
Getting to the show that day, I wondered if fellow competitors would laugh at me for entering a horse that didn’t trot, but I didn’t care. I was curious what a trained dressage professional would have to say as to where we were at in our training in regards to rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, balance, and harmony. The feedback we received was meaningful, challenging, and affirming. It gave us something to work toward.
Through conversations with trotting horse riders, I was introduced to women who also owned gaited horses they rode on the trail. Up until that point, riding their gaited horses using dressage methods had not occurred to them. A couple of the women invited me to their next trail ride. I was thrilled to have someone to ride with.
During that first show, I learned of another schooling dressage show which offered gaited dressage entries using the FOSH tests. Then I learned that the NWHA had worked with the USDF to replicate dressage tests using flat walk in place of trot.
Well, five years and fifty-five gaited dressage tests later, I’ve gotten over being the odd-ball at the traditional dressage schooling shows, because of the people we’ve met along the way. Makana and I get to present a natural and humane alternative to the soring and abuse people hear about in the TWH industry. They get to see firsthand how dressage brings about rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, collection, harmony, and balance in a horse that doesn’t trot.
In 2015, Makana and I showed at five USDF open schooling shows as the only gaited horse among the trotting horses and rode 10 NWHA tests.
2015 Gaited Dressage Show Record
May 2, 2015 Wildfire Farms Schooling Dressage Show Maple Lake, MN Judge: Jodi Ely NWHA Training Level Test 3: 68.2% NWHA First Level Test 1: 70.4%
May 9, 2015 Arbor Hill Schooling Dressage Show Stillwater, MN Judge: Molly Schiltgen NWHA Training Level Test 3: 67.27% NWHA First Level Test 1: 65.56%
May 30, 2015 Northwoods Schooling Dressage Show Corcoran, MN Judge: Colleen Holden NWHA First Level Test 1: 65.926% NWHA First Level Test 3: 70.294%
August 2, 2015 Carriage House Farms Schooling Dressage Show Hugo, MN Judge: Jennie Zimmerman NWHA First Level Test 1: 64.07% NWHA First Level Test 3: 62.06%
August 15, 2015 Wildfire Farms Schooling Dressage Show Maple Lake, MN Judge: Nancy Porter NWHA First Level Test 1: 66.5% NWHA First Level Test 3: 63.9%
“This accomplishment demonstrates the commitment, consistency and communication of partnership.” —Dianne Little
With our 2015 dressage scores, my naturally gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse mare, Gift of Freedom, has been named the 2015 NWHA Gaited Dressage National Champion at First Level, 2015 FOSH Gaited Dressage National Champion at First Level and 2015 FOSH Gaited Dressage National Champion at Training Level.
Dianne Little, FOSH Gaited Dressage Program Director writes, “You are to be congratulated for riding eight tests at First Level with all scores over 62%. Of these eight tests, four scores were over 65%. This accomplishment demonstrates the commitment, consistency and communication of partnership.”
I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.
Can dressage rehabilitate a former Big Lick Tennessee walking horse? Can dressage transform a tense, high-headed and hollow-backed frame into a relaxed posture that builds the top line? Can dressage break up a hard pace into a natural four-beat gait without heavy shoes and pads? Can dressage mend a damaged mind and help a horse develop trust in a rider, accept a light snaffle bit contact, and respond willingly to leg aids without exploding? Can dressage prolong soundness of a Tennessee walking horse?
Here’s my story…
Sore No More: Rehabilitating a Big Lick Tennessee Walking Horse with Dressage
By Jennifer Klitzke
It was time to apply the “Now That’s a Walking Horse” program grant awarded in 2015 to me and my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana, by the United States Humane Society.
Cheryl Jacobson, Deputy Director, Equine Protection of The Humane Society of the United States wrote:
“Your application showcases the sort of approach to training of Tennessee Walking Horses that the NTAWH program hopes to promote. This includes correct training of horse and rider without the use of artificial enhancements or aggressive shoeing techniques while focusing on the gymnastic development as a way to improve and establish the gaits of the Walking horse.”
“We are further impressed by your volunteer efforts to “spread the word.” The best promotion for the breed is a good example. It is clear that you have provided that, sharing the good news about the natural Walking horse to the trotting as well as to gaited enthusiasts who have seen the limitless potential in the breed in new ways because of your efforts.”
Becoming a working student under Jennie Jackson
In January 2016, I had the opportunity to further my dressage as applied with the naturally gaited horse when I flew to Theodore, Alabama to be Jennie Jackson’s working student at the Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center. Jennie is the only person in history who has trained and shown a Tennessee walking horse through the highest levels of dressage, and she, along with her husband Nate, have been on the front lines fighting against Big Lick soring and abuse for over 30 years.
Meeting Champaign Watchout
While there I had the privilege of watching Jennie ride her famous 21-year-old naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse stallion, Champagne Watchout! He is the ONLY living Tennessee walking horse who had competed in the 1998 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration World Grand Championship class. Watchout was also the only flat shod entry ridden among Big Lick horses. When horses are subjected to the cruelty and abuse of Big Lick practices, they simply don’t stay sound or live that long.
Jennie Jackson riding piaffe with her barefoot, 21-year-old TWH stallion Champagne Watchout.
My days with Jennie were filled with riding several Tennessee walking horses at various levels of training, flat walking the ocean coast, riding in a Dauphin Island Mardi Gras parade, and being introduced to the challenges of retraining a rescued Big Lick horse.
Big Lick it’s something I’ve encountered in Minnesota. In fact, I didn’t even know what Big Lick or soring were when I bought my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Makana. I stumbled upon Big Lick when I searched YouTube for TWH training information.
After watching a few Big Lick videos, I wondered, “Is this how a Tennessee walking horse is supposed to move?”
The horrifying truth behind Big Lick motion
To me, the Big Lick Tennessee walking horses are like a Picasso painting coming to life: exaggerated, disjointed, and unnatural. Picasso once said, “Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.” While some people might think Big Lick is expressive and exciting to watch and ride, how its motion is achieved unveils a horrifying truth.
The exaggerated Big Lick motion is produced by applying caustic agents to the horses’ front feet. This is known as soring. Then heavy shoes, pads and chains are added to the front feet. Horses are forced forward by the riders’ sharp spurs. With each step the chains slap against the horses’ sored feet. The horses react in pain. Their feet are further propelled by the heavy shoes. To evade the pain, horses learn to shift most of their weight to the hindquarters which produces extreme engagement. The horses are ridden in harsh curb bits to restrain them from exploding. This is the real reason the horses move as they do. Torturous. Sadistic and unlawful. Yet Big Lick still exists.
I made a firm decision after watching a couple Big Lick videos that dressage is all my barefoot Tennessee walking horse would know. Maybe boring to watch in comparison, but dressage is humane and trains the horse with respect and dignity. Then I began to support organizations like Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) who advocate against Big Lick soring and abuse, and I began to meet others like Jennie Jackson who teach and train dressage for the naturally gaited horse.
Thankfully my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse has never experienced Big Lick. Makana was imprinted at birth and raised by a loving family. I bought her in 2007 as a barefoot, just-turning-three-year-old filly. Natural and humane training is all she knows—no rehab needed.
Not so for many Tennessee walking horses down South.
Sweet Caroline’s story: A Big Lick survivor and given a second chance with dressage
A few weeks before my trip, Jennie had acquired a lovely mare named Sweet Caroline who had sadly experienced “Big Lick” training trauma. Like many Big Lick Tennessee walking horses, Caroline was bred to pace. When the heavy shoes and pads are added, then the horses move into a four-beat gait.
For years, Carolyn had been driven forward with sharp spurs into a harsh curb bit. She developed a habit ofrushing off in a tense, high-headed and hollow-backed frame. The soring scars on her front feet tell the rest of the story.
Now Caroline is barefoot. Could dressage break up her pace to develop a natural four-beat gait? Could dressage transform her tense, high-headed and hollow-backed frame into a relaxed and neutral posture? Could dressage help her trust a rider’s gentle hands, seek a snaffle bit contact, and accept light leg cues without rushing?
If anyone could teach me, it would be Jennie who has been training naturally gaited Tennessee walking horses for decades using dressage. Jennie had been retraining Caroline for several weeks prior to my arrival, so she knew how to coach me as I rode this hot, tense, and sensitive mare.
Jennie Jackson coached me as I rode this former Big Lick Tennessee walking horse with dressage. She is being ridden in a Happy Mouth Pelham bit which functions as a snaffle or a curb depending upon which rein is applied.
Dressage encourages relaxation which helps develop smooth gait for a barefoot former Big Lick TWH
Dressage produces relaxation and rhythm whether a horse trots, tolts, flat walks or fox trots. Relaxation replaces tension and is key to break up pace with a natural four-beat smooth gait like flat walk.
Jennie coached me through a great exercise to establish relaxation with Caroline.
True bend/counter bend transitions on a circle
At a regular walk on a 20-meter circle, Jennie coached me through transitions with Caroline between a true bend and a counter bend. The true bend is along the arc of the circle in a shoulder fore position. The counter bend is outside the arc of the circle. This exercise helped Caroline relax at the poll, lower her head and neck to a neutral position, which began to break up the pacey steps into an even four-beat walk.
The true bend/counter bend exercise taught Caroline to step beneath and across her belly with her hind leg each time I applied my calf lightly at the girth. This engaged her abdominal muscles to lift her back.
As I squeezed and released the inside rein softly, it relaxed the tension in her poll so she could soften and look slightly to the inside of the circle as she lowered her head and neck. The opposite rein (the indirect rein) maintained a light contact against her neck to keep her from moving sideways.
Then I’d squeeze and release the outside rein softly to relax the tension in her poll to soften slightly to the outside of the circle while applying my outside calf at the girth as she maintained a neutral head and neck position.
The true bend and counter bend exercise on a circle also helped to diagonalize Caroline’s foot fall. After she relaxed into the bending exercise at a walk, Jennie encouraged me to move her up into flat walk.
I clearly felt the difference between the tense pace and the relaxed four-beat flat walk. Each time Caroline lost relaxation, she became tense and rushed off into stiff bumpy pace. I transitioned her back to a walk and helped her regained relaxation in the bending exercise before transitioning back to flat walk.
Half halts for the gaited horse
When Caroline began to rush and pace, that’s when Jennie taught me the effectiveness of half halts: squeeze my fists together on the reins without pulling back and still my hips and back. As soon as Caroline slowed down into a smooth flat walk, I immediately relaxed my fingers (without letting the reins slip through my hands), and I followed hermovement with my fingers, hip joints and lower back.
While riding Caroline, I got LOTS of practice with half halts and releases. We had a few soft, round steps of flat walk with rhythm and relaxation. Then she would try to rush off again. I learned that it takes a lot of patience and quiet repetition to rehabilitate a traumatized Big Lick Tennessee walking horse.
Riding up and down hills is a great way to build top line muscles, engagement, and balance.
Cantering the hillside
After Caroline and I became acquainted in the arena, Jennie tacked up Watchout and we rode along the scenic trail system at the Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center. I schooled Caroline in flat walk and canter along the hillside overlooking the lake. We would canter up the hill to develop engagement and walk down the hill to help her learn balance. I switched between the flat walk and canter up the hill so Caroline would listen to my cues instead of anticipating canter.
In the few days I was there, it was delightful to witness how dressage began to rehabilitate a Big Lick Tennessee walking horse into a naturally smooth gaited and barefoot Tennessee walking horse.
Each day I rode Caroline, we had more prolonged moments of relaxation and rhythm. She had more and more consecutive steps of a natural four-beat flat walk. She was beginning to seek a snaffle bit contact instead of curling behind the bit to evading contact, and we began to build some trust.
I grew to love this spunky little mare. Returning home I felt good knowing that Sweet Caroline was in good hands with Jennie and that for the rest of her life she’d be sore no more.
I hope this is helpful. Let me know your thoughts by sending a message.
Have you ever dreamed about riding along the ocean coast? It’s been a dream of mine, and it came true—but there was a catch. I had to ride in a Mardi Gras parade on a horse that had never been in one.
In January I had a week free before beginning my new job and learned that Jennie Jackson was training at Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center near Mobile, Alabama. So I took a spontaneous four-day trip South to briefly escape the arctic blast.
“Make sure you stay through Saturday,” Jennie said, “so that you can ride the ocean coast and in the Dauphin Island Mardi Gras parade.”
Ocean coast? Wow! Not only would I be Jennie’s working student and ride several Tennessee walking horses at various stages of training each day, but I would be riding the ocean coast—a dream come true!
I didn’t realize how special this opportunity was until I arrived. Dauphin Island only allows horses on the beach once a year and that’s only for horses that are trailered in for their Mardi Gras parade.
Speaking of Mardi Gras, Like most people, I thought Mardi Gras was an annual event exclusive to New Orleans. Turns out Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, Alabama and is celebrated for several weeks throughout the South until Lent begins.
On the third day of riding with Jennie, I met Abbie, a six-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare who reminded me of my naturally gaited Walking horse Makana. Abbie would be the horse I’d ride on the beach and in the parade. Neither she nor I had ever ridden the ocean coast or in a parade, so I did my best to establish trust and team work.
Abbie and I took a nice trail ride with one of the boarders while Jennie taught lessons. We rode up and down hills, alongside a beautiful aqua marine lake with rust colored sand, through the woods, over felled trees, and through creeks. Back at the Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center, Abbie and I negotiated their extensive trail obstacle course . I felt like we had connected well.
The next morning a group of us trailered to Dauphin Island through the grey skies and rain. Thankfully the sun broke through the clouds for our beach ride and parade.
Jennie Jackson riding her famous TWH dressage stallion Champagne Watchout.
Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center’s TWH Abbie and I riding on the ocean coast.
The first one in the ocean was Jennie Jackson and her famous stallion Champagne Watchout. He LOVES the water and gave the rest of the horses confidence to step into the wavy shoreline. In no time we were flat walking the ocean coast. It wasn’t as romantic as I had pictured in my mind—galloping carefree through the water in a long flowing gown—but it was FUN!
Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center fosters a community of wonderful people who enjoy a variety of disciplines with their gaited horses: dressage, trail riding, competitive trail obstacles, jumping and cross country, parades, mounted patrol, and more.
Our group from Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center.
After our beach ride, our group dressed up in purple, green and gold, adorned in beads, and rode four miles along the city streets to the beginning of the parade route.
The large beads are called sugar beads.
Not your typical between the ears shot.
Abbie seemed to like the music and danced to the beat.
How long do you think the beads will last on this head shaking horse?
Large crowds ahead anxiously awaiting beads, coins and moon pies.
Parade patrons caught flying strings of beads.
This young parade patron has got the bead technique mastered.
Baby’s first Mardi Gras.
Front row seat.
Parade patrons of all ages having a wonderful time!
Love the hat!
Kathee’s TWH mare Madison leading our group in the Mardi Gras Parade.
Parade patrons caught flying strings of beads.
Parade patrons getting a better view!
Parade patron festively dressed for the parade.
Love the hair!
Festively dressed horse and rider.
Thanks to Abbie and the great group of people from Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center, I not only rode on the ocean coast, but I also rode eight miles through cheering crowds, horns, loud music and flying beads and couldn’t stop smiling the entire time!
Getting back to the trailers after four hours of riding, my face hurt from smiling about as much as my body hurt from riding!
When I first bought my naturally gaited TWH Makana, Candace Rundell was one of the first friends I made with the Minnesota Walking Horse Association. How she acquired her naturally gaited Spotted Saddle Horse, Yankee Doodle Mandy, is heroing on its own. Yet it is the adversity I witnessed this duo face which exemplifies a shining example of hope, a trusting partnership, and what is possible when you persevere to never let up on your dreams.
—Jennifer Klitzke
Candace Rundell riding her naturally gaited Spotted Saddle Horse mare Yankee Doodle Mandy in one of their dozens of Country Pleasure Championship rides.
Every Horse is Good for Something
By Candace Rundell, Guest Writer
I’ve been horse crazy as long as I can remember and owned my first horse at the age of 9. Gaming and trail riding on the bouncy variety were my gig until I became acquainted with a naturally smooth gaited Spotted Saddle Horse in an unexpected way.
In 2003, my sister and I went to an auction, and I was drawn to a 1993 black and white Tobiano Spotted Saddle Horse mare named Yankee Doodle Mandy (Jazzy). After talking with the seller, I tested out Jazzy’s naturally smooth gait. I liked her a lot, only I didn’t come to the auction to buy. I wasn’t in a place to take on a horse.
When the auction began, my sister and I noticed that not all of the horses were getting sold to good homes. We were sickened to learn that the horses no one bid on were being sold to the “kill buyer.”
Just as my sister and I were ready to leave, Jazzy’s owner caught up to us and said that no one had bid on her. The owner explained that she was pregnant and had promised her husband that she wouldn’t return home with the horse. I saw her husband anxiously waiting by their rig and ready to get going. The woman said in a panic, “It’s either you or the “kill buyer.”
My sister reached into her purse and wrote out a check for $600, and that’s how my first gaited horse entered my life.
“Every horse is good for something.”
Although Jazzy had a smooth ride, we were off to a rocky start. She was rather wild and used to charge at me which gave me quite a scare. After we overcame that hurdle, it took 45 minutes to saddle her and another 45 minutes to get on her back.
Remembering what Seabiscuit’s trainer, Tom Smith once said, “Every horse is good for something,” I set out to become educated about naturally gaited horses and the Spotted Saddle Horse breed. I joined the Minnesota Walking Horse Association (MWHA) and began attending clinics.
Slowly over time Jazzy and I developed a trusting bond, and she blossomed into a wonderfully reliable trail mount. In 2004, Jazzy and I became the MWHA Adult Trail Riding Reserve Champion.
Gaming the gaited horse.
Back in my younger years when I rode trotting horses, I gamed a lot. So in 2006, I entered Jazzy at a local show which offered two-gait game classes. That year we won the 2006 WSCA Free Spirit Riders Spring Fun Payday Walk Trot (two gait) High Point.
Then Jazzy and I rode at a MWHA sponsored B.L.E.S.S. your gaited horse clinic with Bucky Sparks. At this clinic those who watched our rides encouraged me to give gaited breed shows a try. Up until that point showing Jazzy in rail classes had never occurred to me.
Despite the set back of Jazzy losing an eye in February 2010, Candace and Jazzy’s amazing partnership of trust developed their canter before traveling to the Nationals in Missouri.
So in 2009, I began showing Jazzy at gaited breed shows. To my surprise and delight, Jazzy earned Champion in Country Pleasure Amateur Owned and Trained 2 Gait, Reserve Champion Country Pleasure English 2 Gait, Reserve Champion Country Pleasure Western 2 Gait at the MWHA Celebration Show, and we became the 2009 MWHA Trail Riding Champion.
Looking ahead to 2010, I set a goal for Jazzy and I to develop our canter and travel to Missouri for the North American Pleasure Horse Championships.
Before the 2010 show season began, Jazzy sustained a serious eye injury in the pasture. I was devastated to learn that she would lose her eye. During the surgery, Jazzy developed atrial fibrillation from the anesthesia which caused a permanent irregular heartbeat. I feared that she wouldn’t be ride-able again, or worse, that I’d have to put her down.
“You know, you don’t throw a whole life away just ’cause he’s banged up a little.”
Thankfully Jazzy recovered from surgery quickly, and my confidence grew when I began riding Jazzy and discovered that she had become even more responsive and wiling than when she had two eyes!
Seabiscuit’s trainer, Tom Smith once said, “You know, you don’t throw a whole life away just ’cause he’s banged up a little.” So just two months after surgery, I took Jazzy to a cutting horse clinic. Not only was she the only one-eyed horse at the clinic, but she was the only gaited horse, and the clinician used her as the demonstration horse because of how soft and responsive she was.
Losing an eye didn’t stop us from pursuing our goals and reaching our dreams. Jazzy and I went on to a stellar 2010 show season. Jazzy earned Champion Country Pleasure English 2 Gait and Champion Country Pleasure Western 2 Gait at the 2010 MWHA Celebration Show before traveling to the North American Pleasure Horse Championships in Missouri to be crowned with a National SSH 3 Gait Grand Championship!
Candace Rundell riding Yankee Doodle Mandy at the North American Pleasure Horse Championships in Missouri where the team earned a National SSH 3 Gait Grand Championship the same year after Jazzy lost her eye.
Since 2010, Jazzy and I have gone on to become an ambassador for naturally gaited horses and the Spotted Saddle Horse breed. Jazzy has participated in parades, mounted shooting, cattle work, English and western rail classes, reining, games, speed events, trail trials, and has been a flag bearer. Not only that, but Jazzy is an easy keeper and in good weight—even in the harshest of winters. She has GREAT feet, too, and has never needed shoes.
Candace Rundell and her naturally gaited Spotted Saddle Horse mare Yankee Doodle Mandy negotiating a trail obstacle.
As Jazzy turned 22 this year she will retire to a life of trail riding for others who want to come and ride with me as I train and show my other naturally gaited Spotted Saddle Horses.
Indeed, every horse is good for something. I am so glad that I pressed on through the rough beginning to experience the partnership Jazzy and I have developed and all we have accomplished together—even after losing an eye.
Candace Rundell and Yankee Doodle Mandy’s Impressive Show Record 2004 MWHA Adult Trail Riding Reserve Champion
2006 WSCA Free Spirit Riders Spring Fun Payday Walk Trot (2 Gait) High Point
2009 MWHA Celebration Champion Country Pleasure Amateur Owned and Trained 2 Gait
2009 MWHA Celebration Reserve Champion Country Pleasure English 2 Gait
2009 MWHA Celebration Reserve Champion Country Pleasure Western 2 Gait
2009 MWHA Trail Riding Champion
2010 MWHA Celebration Champion Country Pleasure English 2 Gait
2010 MWHA Celebration Champion Country Pleasure Western 2 Gait
2010 North American Pleasure Horse Championships, Sedalia, MO
Spotted Saddle Horse Western 3 Gait Grand Champion
Spotted Saddle Horse Western 2 Gait Reserve Champion
Spotted Saddle Horse Youth Reserve Champion
Hi 7 Reserve Champion
Spotted Saddle Horse Division Champion with 88 points
2010 AHAGN OSIP Pleasure/Performance Champion
2010 AHAGN OSIP Game Champion
2010 MWHA Country Pleasure Champion
2011 SSLCF Walk Trot (2 Gait) High Point
2011 MWHA MN Celebration 3 Gait Country Pleasure Champion
2011 MWHA MN Celebration Youth Country Pleasure Champion
2011 MWHA Country Pleasure 2 Gait High Point Champion
2011 MWHA Country Pleasure 3 Gait High Point Champion
2011 MWHA Country Pleasure Youth High Point Reserve Champion
2011 AHAGN OSIP Pleasure/Performance Champion
2012 Kutaways Spring Payday Senior High Point
2012 Countryside Saddle Club Spring Show Senior Plus Pleasure High Point
2012 MWHA MN Celebration Country Pleasure 3 Gait Reserve Champion
2012 SSLCF Walk Trot (2 Gait) High Point
2012 Northwood’s Saddle Club INC Pleasure Reserve Champion
2012 Northwood’s Saddle Club INC All Around Champion
2012 SSHBEA OIP
Adult Champion
Western Horsemanship Champion
Reining Champion
Stock/Ranch Champion
Western Pleasure Champion
English Pleasure Champion
2012 AHAGN OSIP Pleasure/Performance Champion
2012 AHAGN OSIP Game Champion
2012 Minnesota Walking Horse Association
2 gait Country Pleasure Reserve Champion
3 gait Country Pleasure Champion
2012 MWHA Horse of the Year
2013 SSLCF Pleasure / Performance High Point
2013 MWHA MN Celebration ADP 3 Gait Champion
2013 DFA Summer show 35+ Pleasure High Point
2013 Brew City Classic Charity Show ADP 3 Gait Reserve Champion
2013 ASCA All Around Pleasure Reserve Champion
2013 ASCA English Pleasure Reserve Champion
2013 ASCA English Equitation Reserve Champion
2013 DFA 35+ Game Champion
2013 DFA 35+ Pleasure Champion
2013 Tri-State 3 Gait Country Pleasure Champion
2013 MWHA Country Pleasure 3 Gait Champion
2013 SSHBEA OIP Adult Overall Champion
Gymkhana Champion
Saddle Seat Champion
Equitation champion
Trail Obstacle Champion
Reigning Champion
2014 SSLCF Pleasure Reserve High Point
2014 Mn Celebration Champion English ADP 3 Gait
2014 MN Celebration ADP West 3 Gait Champion
2014 Brew City Classic ADP 3 Gait Reserve Champion
2014 Tri-State ADP English 3 Gait Champion
2014 Tri-State ADP Western 3 Gait Champion
2014 Tri-State Model Reserve Champion
2014 DFA Senior Plus Pleasure Champion
2014 SSHBEA OIP Adult Overall Champion
Gymkhana Champion
English Pleasure Champion
English Equitation Champion
Western Pleasure Champion
Western Horsemanship Champion
Trail Obstacle Champion
Reigning Champion
2014 Tri-State Horse of the Year
2014 MWHA Reserve Champion Model, Champion
ADP 3 Gait, Champion Versatility
2015 Free Spirit Riders Spring High Point
2015 DFA Spring Reserve High point Pleasure
2015 DFA Spring Reserve High point games
2015 SSLCF Reserve High Point Pleasure
2015 MWHA MN Celebration ADP 2 Gait Reserve Champion
2015 MWHA MN Celebration ADP 3 Gait Champion
2015 DFA Summer High Point Pleasure
2015 WSCA DFA Buckle Series Reserve Champion High Point Pleasure
2015 WSCA DFA Buckle Series 3rd High Point Games
2015 Brew City Classic ADP 3 Gait Western Reserve Champion
2015 Brew City Classic SSH 2 Gait Western Reserve Champion
2015 Brew City Classic ADP 3 Gait English Reserve Champion
2015 Brew City Classic AOT 2 Gait Reserve Champion
2015 Tri-State All Day Pleasure Amateur 3 Gait
2015 Tri-State All Day Pleasure Western 3 Gait
2015 SSHBEA OIP Overall Adult Champion Candace Rundell
2015 SSHBEA OIP Champion Yankee Doodle Mandy
Gymkhana
Trail
English Pleasure
English Equitation
Western Pleasure
Western Horsemanship
Halter
Showmanship
Qualified for WSCA Champ Show 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015
Candace Rundell pictured with naturally gaited Spotted Saddle Horses Yankee Doodle Mandy (left) and Bo’s Whistling Dixie (right).
Candace Rundell and her husband own The Last Resort Farm in Brookston, MN where they rescue, breed, raise and train Spotted Saddle Horses. Candace is a SSHBEA Certified Inspector and SSHBEA Outreach Incentive Program Chair.
I hope you enjoyed reading Candace’s story about her partnership with her versatile Spotted Saddle Horse mare Yankee Doodle Mandy. If you have a naturally gaited horse you’ve developed a special relationship with and ride gaited dressage or versatility, and would like to share your story on NaturallyGaited.com, please contact me by completing the contact form. —Jennifer Klitzke
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