“BLAZER”
b. 2015, 16.2 hh, grey, imported Irish Draught gelding (with passport) by Gentle Diamond out of a Conqueror mare.
An imported, big jumping, medium-weight Irish Draught gelding, Blazer is a very attractive and eye catching, a lovely stamp of a horse. Super sweet, very big bodied (a 6’4” man easily rides him). He is well schooled on the flat (could easily compete as a lower level dressage horse), with three rhythmical and correct paces. Does a leg yield each way, walk to canter, and actively engages his hind and back properly once going forward after being warmed up. He has a scopey, careful jump and is super brave jumping XC, and improving each time on his in-the-ring jumping skills, which had not been a priority for the last few years. Happy to do coops, walls, rails, logs, gates, ditches, water troughs – he just doesn’t care. Good to hack alone and in company, not spooky or sharp. Absolutely the best horse to road, he does not care at all about cars/bikes, etc. passing by! He has no vices or bad habits, is a very easy keeper (practically lives on air), has excellent feet (only wears front shoes), is sound of wind and bone, has no lumps or bumps, and is easy to trailer, groom, and shoe. He is top of his turnout group of 4 geldings.
Blazer hunted in Ireland with the Grallagh Harriers in Co. Galway prior to being imported in late 2019, and then hunted in NY before arriving in Virginia in 2021, where since then he has hunted with Orange County Hounds, Piedmont Foxhounds, and Snickersville Hounds. He can go in both the first and second fields, and is happy to lead. He is an exceptional jumper, and easily trots the biggest fences. Admittedly, he isn’t a TB, so isn’t going to be at the front of the field at a big galloping hunt, but he will keep up and be there at the end.
He would suit either a man or woman wanting to hack about/do some dressage/low level all-rounder just as much as he’d suit continuing in a proper hunting home. Not a packer or deadhead, but also not a hard ride; best home will be with someone who will keep him in a regular riding and fitness program and is knowledgeable about draughts. Currently hunting first field with several different riders.
$45,000
Video Schooling XC (hunt & event jumps) in VA 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB09JCkPxY8
Helmet cam video from a guest hunting Blazer in Virginia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlHybTQymmM&t=1s
“BOURBON”
b. 2017, 16.3 hh, black-brown, Friesian-x gelding
This Friesian Sport Horse is the epitome of a gentle giant, and has started his career in the hunt field, having gone out second field with Piedmont and Snickersville, with comments of, “He is amazing!” “The Best” and “Keep him!”. He went on large group hunt trail rides this summer, and is simply perfect - so many people comment on how wonderful he is! He has a lovely foundation in many disciplines (driving, English, Western, trail riding) and he is ready to be your new best friend. He is sweet, quiet and honestly one of the most obedient and kindest horses I’ve ever met. He will ride all day down the trail or in the arena. He also is an absolute gem under harness. Under saddle he is as gentle as he is on the ground and rides like an old soul. He is soft and respectful in just a snaffle bit and will move off leg pressure and collect in contact. Bourbon has good transitions through all three of his gaits and an excellent stop. He is soft flexing to both sides and is started on leg yields both ways. He has a slower more collected trot you can sit and a nice big reach in the extended which is easy to post to. His canter is big and has so much lots of uphill suspension. When out on trail he will take the lead or follow behind and is confident going through water, over logs and through brush. He is well started on becoming an excellent gate horse. He will trail blaze when needed and negotiate steep grades up and down. In addition, we have started him over natural-type fences, and he is an excellent jumper! In harness he’s a simple hitch and smooth and easy to drive. Bourbon will take you down the hard road along side of traffic or through the field and all around the arena. Bourbon is sound in every way and has no known previous injuries or medical issues, he has no limitations and no vices. Horses like this one do NOT come along every day - he is your unicorn!
$25,000
Video of first little XC school at home: https://youtu.be/Kxpm6_FIjjM
“ESCROW”
b. 2019, 16.0 1/2 hh, blood bay, imported unraced French TB gelding (No Nay Never - Street Cry (IRE))
Imported from France as an ~$400k yearling, Escrow has been one of the easiest TBs we have ever had in, and he has no desire to go any faster than necessary! Not only does he have the world’s best brain, he has the cutest personality and face, paired with being a beautiful mover and very athletic. He is incredibly well broke on the flat, accepts leg and hand, easily engages and collects, does all transitions, shortens and lengthens, and is doing lateral work. He is very large strided, with a floating canter/gallop that walks the lines, and has a toe flicking trot. He hilltopped a full season, going out over 25 times, both with us and was used by guests, and did so in a snaffle. He got most, if not all of the gates, when he was out and stands like a rock as others go blazing through. He walks through water. He is happy to lead the field, be in the middle, or go last. He was very growthy and immature last year, so we didn’t really start jumping him until after the hunt season ended. He started showing this year in the 2’-2’3”, and has consistently gotten ribbons in this classes. He loads onto any trailer easily and stands. Very non-aggressive towards others (he is really the class clown that everyone loves), and great in his stall and turnout. Of course, this much perfection must have a fault, so he does crib. Which doesn’t bother us, so I don’t put a collar on him, and he mostly does it in his stall, not outside in the field. As he is still a bit green on jumping out xc due to the drought most of the summer which left the ground like concrete, I would say he is ready to start going out in the first field on the easier meet locations at the start of the season, and then build up as the season progresses.
$25,000
“FAVOR MAKER”
b. 2017, 16.2 hh, brown/bay, TB gelding (Seville - Two Punch)
Favor lightly and unsuccessfully raced, and then came to us as a 4 year old. He has hunted three seasons with Piedmont Fox Hounds and Middleburg Hunt. He hilltopped his first season; hilltopped with some easier first field days his second season; and went first field all season his third season and easily met the biggest jumping days. He does not need a lead to any hunt fence, can keep up all day, and would happily field master. He started showing in 2024, and has shown at Upperville Jump 4 Fun, HITS Culpeper, and Morven Park, up to 2’9”. He does not look at ANY jump no matter how much fill, has good form, a lovely hunter pace, and auto changes. He is a lovely flat hunter mover, with a toe flicking walk, trot and canter. While not hot or at all forward, he is a sensitive ride, so he is not for less than an experienced/advanced amateur with a trainer. No vices, clean legs. He is dominant in his small-herd turnout group.
$ Not yet on the market
“MORNINGSTAR”/ “ESCUGRA”
b. 2008, 16.2 hh, bay, Hanoverian gelding (Escudo I x Graf Top)
Morningstar, or Eton, was imported from Germany where he was competing in the 1.15m-1.20m jumpers. After importation, he showed in the 3' hunters in 2016, competed in the 1.0-1.10m jumpers in 2017-2018, and has done the 3’ hunters on and off since then. He is now heading into his 10th season foxhunting. He absolutely loves to jump, is scopey and brave, has lovely technique, and is highly rideable for a knowledgeable rider. He was borrowed as a mount for a junior rider attending the 0.90m section of the 2024 EAP training clinic at Sweet Briar, who had only ridden him once prior, and she earned the “best rider” scholarship as a result of her demonstrated skill! Eton is perfect for a good riding hunt MFH/field master to lead the field or a good adult to take in first flight - he loves to hunt and is keen to the job. Great conformation and very attractive, in addition to being lovely to have in the barn, and he gets along well with other horses.
Showing highlights: 2018 Champion in the Low Adult Jumpers at Loudoun Benefit; 2018 Series Champion Ch/Adult Division at Twilight Jumpers
$30,000