Crooked Creek Avery

Avery was started under saddle with 30 days as a 2 year old in 2013. At that time we purchased her and at the age of 3 she was artificially inseminated to Connemara stallion “Bantry Bay Dillon”. She caught 1st cycle with fresh, cooled semen. Her pregnancy was uneventful and in 2015 she delivered a healthy, correct bay (grey) colt named “Owen”. After she weaned her colt she was given the winter off and returned to training in spring 2016.

In April and May 2016 she received professional training from Lauren Hines. She was easy and straight forward to return to work without any bucking, bolting or silliness. She is incredibly kind and willing. By the end of her 60 days with Lauren she was walk/trot/canter as well as starting small stadium jumping courses. She is very cute through the chute!

Over the summer of 2016 my dear friend Katy borrowed Avery. Katy is a Pony Club instructor so Avery was hauled to Pony Club weekly to become accustomed to the sights and sounds of a bustling environment. Avery was ridden out on trails often and began schooling cross country at the Prentice Creek course. She is honest and uncomplicated to ride cross country and has trotted through the water complex at this course. Several young girls have ridden her without issue on cross country. She has not demonstrated any spookiness or silliness and with more miles under her belt I trust she will become a true “packer” type that anyone can enjoy.

Avery’s dressage/flatwork is still very green. She is willing to go forward but needs further schooling to develop her frame, to refine her circles and understand the contact. She would benefit most from a knowledgeable hand to help educate her in the dressage ring to bring her to her full potential. Currently her flatwork is her weakest skill. She is easier to ride out of the ring (cross country or hacking) vs. in the ring. She is not unruly or dangerous, but she is green and unsure of the aids. This could be frustrating to a green rider who doesn’t understand the aids solidly themselves.

Avery is incredibly sweet, willing and easy to deal with. She has been ridden both inside and out. She is very straight forward to work with on the ground, lead, load, haul, stands for vet or farrier, is comfortable with stabling and tacking up. She is up to date on all immunizations, deworming, dental, farrier and Coggins. She tends to be lower in the pecking order and has lived with a wide range of ages and genders without causing a fuss. She doesn’t act mare-ish while cycling.

She is a fantastic size for most riders without being intimidating height, yet her barrel comfortably takes up a longer leg. I am nearly 6′ tall and did not feel gigantic on Avery.

We have high hopes of her suitability as an versatile, all around family horse and suspect eventing may be in her future. She would be well suited for a junior rider with a coach to help develop her or an adult amateur wanting a quality, safe youngster to bring along. She will surely make someone a lifetime best buddy.

Video below is Avery at 2 years old.