1999 16.1 hand Thoroughbred gelding
by Dumaani (Danzig) out of Rachel Elizabeth (Cryptoclearance)

Cruz is my primary saddle horse. Cruz is an off-the-track Thoroughbred who won a stakes race in his short racing career. From what I can tell, he came off the track and went to Washington State, where he worked as a trail horse in the Cascade Mountains. He did that for a few years and then sold as a sport horse prospect. When that didn’t work out, he came to me, in the fall of 2008. After a year of turnout, ulcer treatment, saddle fitting help and chiropractic care, Cruz went into work with no real plan or agenda: keep, sell, whatever would work out for everyone for the best. Every time I tidied up my herd, there was a reason for Cruz to stay, and stay he did. The longer he stayed, the more responsibility he shouldered. Today, Cruz performs the job of Saddle Horse, which includes doing just about any job you could think of.

Cruz is a big, elastic mover who occasionally jumps spectacularly. He is an extremely quiet horse with a playful bent out in the pasture. He’s the kind of horse you wouldn’t really notice unless you appreciate someone who just calmly shows up for work every day, does their job and goes quietly home again. I consider Cruz a good friend as well as a working parner, and I’m grateful that he happened to come my way.

Cruz showing at the 101st Camden Hunt Horse Show, March 2010. Photo by Ceri Banet

Cruz fall 2010. Photo by Kathleen Lindley

Photo by Catherine Latham

Photo by Joan Gemme

Photo by Ceri Banet

Photo by Ceri Banet

Photo by Kathleen Lindley

Photo by Joan Gemme

My first ride on Cruz, December of 2008. Photo by Jane Hutchinson

Cruz shortly after his arrival in South Carolina in October of 2008. Photo by Kathleen Lindley