I had a very talented Dutch stallion named Rhythm who was successful in the dressage ring up through Prix St. Georges. During the 2005 Young Horse Championships in Kentucky we knew there was something definitely wrong with Rhythm. I called Dr. Patterson, who was a good friend and the US Team vet, and he found that Rhythm had cancer and even though we used heroic methods to save him he died on the operating table. Well, you can imagine the drive home to Arizona and by the time I arrived I had convinced myself that I was done riding and I should just sell the farm. (Yes, I think we all have had those moments!)
It was about two weeks after this happened that my mother, Virginia Conner, came to the house to tell me that she had a surprise. After badgering her about the surprise, she finally said to call Belinda. So, being the obedient daughter (no laughing) that I am, the call was made. For those of you that know Belinda, she is a woman of few words. She told me to go to the computer and open an email she had just sent. So, being the obedient friend (you can laugh now) I opened the email to see a picture of two horses almost lying on top of one another napping on the grass in Holland. While I am looking at the picture Belinda tells me that the bay (they were both bay, LOL) was mine. Tears started to flow when she told me he was a 2 year old stallion sired by Sir Sinclair. (I loved Sir Sinclair) She then stated that I should see him trot, and that I could not quit riding and she hung up the phone! This starts the story of the awesome young stallion, Winner.
I imported Winner about a month later and had him flown to the east coast. It was going to take about a week for him to get to Arizona as he was going to have a layover in Texas. Well, instead of waiting I jumped in the truck and drove to Dallas to pick him up. Yep, I was back in the game!
Winner spent a year growing up at the farm in Black Canyon City. When he was just turning three I sent him to Seth Bradford to be broke. After a few days Seth called me and said that this was the smartest horse he had ever ridden. The only problem seemed to be that Winner did not like his flanks touched……as I remember Seth’s words were, “That colt thinks his flanks are made of gold”! After two months of working cattle, learning to gallop over rocky mountains, and trudge through cactus Winner came home to start his dressage career.
I showed Winner as a four year old and knew then that he was a special horse, but very immature. At that time I decided that it was better to keep him home and train him to the FEI levels before I would show again. As the training continued I really begin to realize what an outstanding character Winner was. About a year ago I begin to realize that due to injuries to myself that Winner may need a different rider. You spend your life trying to find that extraordinary horse and then when you are sitting on him you realize you will not be able to ride him to the best of his ability. That was just the beginning of the “What the heck should I do”? I started thinking of who would be the best to send him to…..not only that, but who deserved to sit on a horse like this?
At that time Belinda had retired from riding, but we had a conversation about Winner and she said she would keep him in mind. Nothing is easy when you are dealing with me in wanting to find the PERFECT rider for him. Not only did they need to be a skillful and talented rider they needed to DESERVE a horse like him. The clincher was that I wanted them to train with Belinda as it would be an easier transition for Winner as she is the one that trained me so the basic training would not be so different for Winner. Oh, lets not forget that I do not have the money to promote a horse like him! It was going to be a difficult, if not an impossible mission.
Now you have to know that Belinda had not seen him since he was a four year old and he was pretty immature at that time. I wondered if Belinda would believe me when I told her how exceptional I thought Winner was. As luck would have it, Belinda was coming out to Arizona for her sister’s wedding, and I asked her to stop by the farm and have a look at the horses. She felt that Winner was talented and she would try to see what she could do. So at that time I was trying to figure out how to fund this endeavor even if we could find a rider that met all of my bloody requirements.
Sometimes it just takes time and things have a way of falling into place. Belinda had a young woman that had been her working student for several years during the summer, but at that time she was going full time to college. Shortly after Belinda returned to Florida I called her again to ask about her thoughts on Winner. She told me that Anna Marek was going to come and ride full time for her and she thought that Winner and her would be a great match. Of course all the questions from me….is she talented? Is she nice? Does she deserve this horse? Will she be kind to him? And of course HOW MUCH MONEY is this going to cost? It is just a good thing that Belinda and I have been friends for years!
Then I was on a quest to find funding for a gifted young woman and a talented horse. After several months of trying to figure out the money I just decided to punt. I called Belinda and said I was bringing Winner to Florida and I would figure out the rest later. I have lots of credit cards! I loaded Winner, Jazz (my four legged, hairy travel partner) and Ashley (my-keep-me awake co-pilot), and the first part of October and we headed east!
We all agreed that it would be a covert operation as we wanted to make sure that Winner was as gifted as I thought, and that Anna and Winner would get along and become dance partners. I have to say that one of the hardest things I have ever done is to drive away from the barn in Florida, leaving Winner. I thought of what a really good friend of mine had said to me, “Sometimes, you have to put your big girl panties on”!! Not only is Winner an awesome character he was my best friend! But, I put my “big girl panties” on and pulled them up around my neck and drove home!
Anna and I have been chomping at the bit to know when we could start telling people. Of course I was starting to think……maybe it won’t work, maybe, maybe, maybe!!! I could make myself crazy, as well as everyone else. I knew in my heart that he was an extraordinary individual, and after watching Anna ride him I just could not help but think that it would work. Here again is that statement…..all in good time……. Today, Belinda said we can “let the cat out of the bag”!! They are AWESOME together! Not sure when the first show will be….we want to wait and make sure that he is physically strong enough to do the Grand Prix, and to also give Anna time to really learn to communicate with him without any pressure from the bloody owner in Arizona. I will keep you all posted.
Any funding ideas or air miles (as I am going to try to fly back and visit him often) would be appreciated. I want to thank my mother Virginia Conner, for everything, as well as Noelle and Gene Carlier, Trish Greenberg, Tack Et Cetera, Dr. Larry Metheney for BioVigor and everything else he has done. My gratitude also goes to Belinda for believing me, and doing all that she has done; Anna for riding and loving Winner; Jeanie for taking great care of him; Cara for giving me a new website so everyone can follow Winner; Ashley and Linsey for their support and work; and last but not least, Bill, for being Bill. There are many other friends and clients who have believed in us and given support. I could never have gone this far with out them, and I want them to know that I am deeply appreciative.
We are still trying to figure out a way to make this venture a non-profit so that money would be tax deductible. However, at this time it is not, but we are working on it.
It takes a village to make things happen, and I want to applaud the village that surrounds us. You can follow Ponderosa Performance Horses, Reta Conner, Inspo, and Anna Marek on Facebook. Also, know that there are some outstanding Winner babies out there and more to come this coming year. So, if you know someone looking let me know, I will find it or breed it for you!!
Reta
Bound for the bright spotlight, Anna Marek and Winner are looking forward for thier long awaited debut in the show ring.
