Meet Our Horses

Cardenfe, aka Carl, came to the United States Military Academy in the summer of 2022. He is a big bay warmblood gelding standing at 17.2h. He was donated to the Cadet Equestrian Team by Moriah Bluman who was confident that the academy would be a good fit for Carl.

And how right she was! Carl warmed our hearts from day one. His barn manners are perfect, even though he manages to get more hay outside of his stall then in it. He prefers the more advanced rider but is tolerant of the novice one.

Carl’s background is quite extensive. He has done the U25 (1.45) level winning many classes. He has jumped successfully in Europe, WEF in Wellington, Tryon, Kentucky and Michigan to name a few. He has guided riders from the low amateur jumpers (1.25) up through the levels to U25 for over 10 years. Now at 18, his job at the academy is much lighter and more suitable for this very special boy.

Carl has competed at the Zone 3 Regional Championship, thus proving him a worthy national competitor the Nationals 2023 in Kentucky. He has proved to be a favorite to the Army Equestrian Team as well as the other riders in our region.

Easters Lil Chic, aka Mo, was purchased by Mississippi State University in the spring of 2016 as a 2-year-old show prospect and for its breeding program. Easters Lil Chic is by AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Champion, Lil Ruf Catalyst, out of Smart Easter Chic.  Mo excelled in Ranch Riding, qualifying for the AQHA World Show in a single weekend, her first year of showing. She then transitioned into a dynamite equestrian team horse and broodmare. Producing foals by Zezes Pepto Cat, Metallic Rebel, and two foals on the way by Cowpuncher Cadillac. Mo has elevated the Mississippi State University breeding program to the next level.

Mo’s greatest strength is her ability perform as a member of the equestrian team. Whether it's reining, ranch riding, horsemanship or equitation on the flat, Mo is a competition favorite and has won nearly every class she’s been shown in. She’s also participated in camps, pony rides and extension activities. Mo is physically talented with a great mind and is a wonderful teacher.  

You can catch Mo in action at the 2023 Western Semi-Finals hosted by Mississippi State University.

“Layla” is a 19-year-old warmblood mare who has been part of the University of Illinois IHSA  family since 2008. Layla started her time with us as a hunter prospect. At first, she was a bit of a handful but has settled in and become a forever resident.

Layla believes herself to be a princess, but in her years here has proven to be a workhorse. She can teach all levels from Introductory to Open. She is quiet and safe. She can make a student work hard to get perfection. She has taught many young riders that if she is not asked properly and politely all they will get is mediocrity. She is really like riding a big, beautiful pony.

Layla can be seen routinely at the Zone VII Region I horse shows as well as IEA shows in our area.

Ido’s life had once been full of promise. He was a well-bred Oldenburg destined for dressage stardom. The gelding successfully navigated life up the ranks to third level but his future was quickly shattered by what was thought to be a career-ending injury. After a year of efforts to regain his soundness with no success, Ido was donated to a research program where he spent the next several years in the field undergoing a study in equine parvovirus. Unfortunately for Ido, at the study’s end, he once again found himself in search of a new place to call home. While uncertain of the role he would play in her program, Cornell University  team coach Joanna Novakovic trusted her gut and took a chance on the gelding.

Ido took to the program quickly. He's great with all levels of riders and he's a preferred pick at the shows, in fact, he won his very first class.

 Lucky Times (a.k.a Lucky) is owned by Centenary University

He is a 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Lucky Luke out of Wedding Times who has successfully competed in the Small Junior Hunters and the Amateur Owner Hunters before coming to Centenary.

He resides and competes in IHSA shows and USEF shows in Zone III/Region III

For IHSA, Lucky competes in Intermediate and Open flat and fence classes at our regional shows, as well as competing and winning classes at Regionals, Zones and Nationals.

He has also won classes at ANRC Nationals, including winning one of the Open fences classes at the virtual ANRC Nationals this year.

Lucky is one of our favorite horses to draw – “Lucky is the rider who draws Lucky!”

We are very grateful to have this horse in our program!

“Grant” or “Grant a Wish” is now a 23 year old QH Gelding that came to Georgia Southern University in 2008. He has been used in both the Western and Hunter Seat lesson program as a horsemanship horse and a lower level hunter seat flat horse. He is very smart and transitions well between the two seats and is an excellent teacher that that helps riders to understand the use of their aids. 

Sweet natured and very comfortable to ride, Grant’s name came about because he was donated into the Make a Wish Foundation and gifted to a young girl in Augusta GA. After she passed away her family asked if he could come to Evermore Farm, the host farm for Georgia Southern University’s Equestrian Team. 

In addition to IHSA, Grant is also a favorite of the IEA riders in this area.  

Pitch Perfect was originally imported for show jumping with hopes of becoming a grand prix winner. Instead, he found his calling in the Hunter divisions and excelled in the USHJA National Hunter Derbies.  He was ridden by top hunter rider Tori Colvin among others.

He competes in everything from Introductory through the Open divisions.

He can teach more experienced riders how to win in the 3-foot Medal classes and teaches our newer IHSA riders how to walk trot for the first time. He is loving, kind, and SO MUCH FUN to jump. He is the whole package.

Wellington is a very useful part of the Bloomsburg University Equestrian Team. Wellington is a Warmblood gelding with tons of personality. He has been a great lesson horse and successful show horse. He’s suitable for beginner lunge line lessons to advanced riders showing him. He is the horse you hope to draw, safe and very comfortable to ride and knows his job!  We are blessed to have him.

Zeek is a huge part of the Purdue Western Equestrian Team (PWET). PWET first met Zeek when we hired our current coaches, and he quickly won over our team. Whether Zeek is being ridden by a seasoned showman or a first-time rider, he takes care of all of our riders. Zeek is a great horse for advanced riders, but he often finds himself in the beginning level lessons as he is a great confidence builder and can teach a new rider a lot in a short amount of time. He gives his all during every lesson and competition. Zeek is a big love bug, and when he is not being ridden, he takes full advantage of having the team as his personal groom crew and never turns down a peppermint or two! PWET loves our “Zeeker-Man!”

Bear is a Thoroughbred gelding. He is the best lesson horse because he teaches our riders from Walk–Trot all the way up to Open Over Fences. He has a great personality and loves to cuddle after his lessons.