"Freckles Fast & Furious"

2006 - Poco's Stormy Weather aka "Freckles" came to live @ Coyote Creek 4 or 5 years ago. He was purchased for $500 as a roping horse but was so arena sour, he would not even enter the arena let alone go into the roping box. It was quickly apparent he needed to find another job.

His past owners had mentioned he had previously been used as a gaming horse. Now, in my experience, that doesn't mean much. It could mean someone got a 60 second time in barrels when a winning time would be 15 - 18 seconds. I soon realized Freckles could be good. After months of de-stressing him about arena situations, we began showing. It took all summer before we learned to be a team. Being blind in one eye, I was trying to help him more than he needed.

For the last year or two, Shay has been leasing Freckles for Jr & Wrangler Rodeo. He qualified for Wrangler National Finals in May 2006! Not bad for a blind in one eye, lame on one leg, 21 y/o gelding running against $30,000 horses. At this point Freckles is pretty much retired except for the occasional ride. He fluctuates between too lazy & too wired for most lesson students. If I wasn't such a softee, I would sell Freckles for $10,000 and call it a profit. Instead, he will have a home here forever or I will find him a nice retirement home someday.

10/2006 Update, Freckles has settled down & now gives riding lessons on Mondays.