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It wouldn't be much of a challenge if we didn't have any horses or trainers to show off, so this is where you can meet the stars of this show. So, in no particular order, we would like to present the 2009 hopefuls of the Trainer's Challenge. By following the links in the student's description, you will be taken to a running "blog" of the pair's progress.
The Trainers and Students
(Note: "Updated" dates may not reflect the day of the actual update. If a trainer provides a date in their narrative, we'll use that so as to remain consistent with the training timeline.)
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Update: Dr. Julie Wilson from the University of Minnesota has provided us with the following information about Finnegan's unfortunate passing:
Finnegan, the handsome Quarter Horse that battled fistulous withers for a year, sadly and unexpectedly died on June 22nd. He had exhibited some respiratory abnormalities in the week before his sudden death, for which he was being treated by a veterinarian. After his untimely death, pathologists at the University of Minnesota were able to shed some light on what happened.
The withers wound had healed, and had no remaining pockets of pus. Surprisingly, overwhelming bacterial infection of his lungs and chest cavity were found. The bacteria that were cultured matched those that were first found in his wither's wound in July of 2008. Deep seated abscesses in his lung may have seeded other parts of the body with bacteria that had been evading the antibiotics that Finnegan received for many months. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Julia H. Wilson
DVM Diplomate, ACVIM
Associate Professor,
Large Animal Medicine
Veterinary Population Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine |
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Updated: 08/18/2009 - Sheza Mystical - also known as "Luna" - is a registered solid cremello Paint mare foaled in 2004. She was originally part of the 2008 Trainer's Challenge, but unfortunately her appointed trainer didn't do anything except feed her. This mare is friendly and gentle and has always been a good girl, even when we were loading her on a snowy road with school busses going by on the day she was surrendered in a Mille Lacs County humane case. Luna has been assigned to Brian Heacock. |
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Final Update: 08/31/2009 - Garnett, foaled in 2005, is a little dun Quarter Horse mare that has Doc Bar bloodlines. She was quite the little stinker when she arrived as part of a Pine County humane case. She had been teased quite a bit and was extremely sensitive and defensive. Garnett was in the 2008 Trainer's Challenge, but her assigned trainer realized that this "damaged" little mare could not be adequately trained in the time allowed and opted instead to just do LOTS of confidence-gaining groundwork. Garnett has not been under saddle yet, but is ready to go, thanks to her astute trainer - and her trainer is Cassie Sprenger. |
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Updated: 07/25/2009 - At first glance, you almost wouldn't know that Gracie is an Appaloosa - but she is! She only has a few white flecks on her rump, but the striped hooves and white sclera around her eyes certainly give it away. Gracie was a lucky survivor of a 2005 Todd County humane case, which was when she was but a baby. At that time, she was terribly thin and had an untreated injury to her right eye. Thankfully, diligent veterinary care saved the eye, but as a result of the injury, her vision on that side is limited slightly. Gracie is quiet and has a kind nature. Gracie's trainer - or trainers in this case - will be the Dakota Mounted Patrol Group. |
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Updated: 08/14/2009 - A palomino overo gelding, Splash was foaled in 2002 and came to us as a result of a neglect/abandonment case in Wisconsin. Splash will be trained by Donna Broberg. |
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Updated: 08/5/2009 - A dark bay and while pinto mare, Maggie was foaled in 2004. She's had no formal training and is quite opinionated in that she isn't convinced that humans always (or ever) have the best ideas. It may be her personality, or it may be just the fact that she's not found someone she can trust. Maggie will be trained by Haley Furchner. |
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Final Update: 10/10/2009 - A recent arrival to the Rescue from a Wright County humane case, Christa is a Paint cross that was foaled in 2004. She has been checked by a veterinarian from the University of Minnesota and while her legs have some scarring, they seem to be cosmetic as she has been deemed sound. A very sweet mare. Natalie Payne will be Christa's trainer. |
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Updated: 07/09/2009 - Our Boy Elroy is the illegitimate son of Robinciser and Brian's Reprized. This Thoroughbred gelding was foaled at the Rescue on a freezing February day soon after his mother arrived in 2008. Despite his awful start in the world, he has grown up to be a very handsome fellow. Kimberly Meador will be Elroy's trainer. |
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Final Update: 08/26/2009 - Dancer was foaled in 2004 and despite living with Splash while he was a stallion, after being checked by a veterinarian it was determined that she was not carrying a foal. Lucky for her, as she will find a home quickly after training. Dancer will be trained by Melissa Crep. |
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Updated: 08/14/2009 - Princess (AKA "Tana") - registered as "Montana Royal Princess" - is one of the few horses that was donated to the Rescue. Her owners tried to market her in their rural area, but as we all know, an untrained horse doesn't find a home quickly. Foaled in 2004, Princess is a big-bodied, pretty-headed Tennessee Walking Horse. She has excellent bloodlines and should gait well under saddle. A friendly, inquisitive girl that will be trained by Mitchell Carson. |
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Updated: 08/12/2009 - Flikka is a Quarter Horse mare that was foaled in 2006 and she stands about 13.3 hands. She is able to be registered AQHA. Flikka is a sweet chestnut girl who is a little undersize and underweight for her age due to starvation, so she will need a home with lots of TLC to spare and lots of Equine Junior to help her grow into her full potential. Samantha Provost will be Flikka's trainer. |
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Final Update: 08/25/2009 - A rich, golden palomino, Willow is a mare that was foaled in 2003 and stands approximately 15 hands. She's in the process of shedding out her winter coat, which is why she looks a little "blah" in her photo. Willow will be trained by Chris Vinson.
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