Riding the Menorquin Horse in Spain 

They are such a wonderful breed! Aww, sounds like you have a lot of fun with Pintat!

That's a life some of us can only dream of! What an incredible country you have, so steeped in culture and the beauty of your towns and landscapes....and that ocean! Wow. To be in a place and position to own one of these magical horses is such a dream and to have him where you can still ride him at 20 years old, in the fiestas each year must just be something you look forward to all year long and wish it never ended having to wait for the next. I was with my mom visiting my grandparents in Chicago and we happened to see some activity going on in a large grassy area with rolling green hills. My mom decided to stop because she saw the horses (she rode as a child). We walked over and there was a dressage arena set up and a few people sitting in the grass around it. We went and sat down and my mind was blown. I was just 6 years old when the Lipizzaner Stallions brought me to tears. The most moving, life altering experience of my life. They were there doing a loose practice/rehearsal before a show they were there for. I saw a girl in shorts with long hair cantering one of the horses bareback up on a hill closer to the trailers and my heart was in my throat. I was determined to be that girl. Not 2 years later we had moved from Colorado to New Hampshire where they had (have, I believe it's still there) a beautiful English riding camp. My mom put me in the day camp and I remember begging her to let me stay every time she came to get me. She said she would have put me in the overnight sleep away camp if she knew I would be fine being away from home for 3 weeks. The next year we moved back to Colorado and the house was a surprise. I was complaining it was in the middle of nowhere and we kept on driving and onto dirt roads in a wooded neighborhood. We finally pulled up to the house and I saw the 3 stall barn and large paddock and I was so excited and begged my mom for a horse. She sent me down to the barn and there was a beautiful 15.3h palomino quarter horse who was sold to us with the sale of the house. She was "for the family". We got a second horse not long after that. An abused barrel racer who wasn't trained well. By the time I was 14 I took that barrel racer to the National Eventing Championships in Lexington KY at the Kentucky Horse Park where we were treated like royalty. It was incredible and we brought home an individual first place. I was studying and preparing for my B rating in Pony Club when I had a bad freak riding accident where I had to take a lot of time off. My injuries never healed and I stopped riding. I was 15 then. I stayed working with horses instructing and training into my 20s but I was always so fatigues and sore. I later learned I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which means my accomplishments in eventing were astronomical. I never should have been on a horse. I wish I had a way to be around them again. It's hard to watch these videos and think "that was me, that should still be me". But I'm so glad I got the chance to live out my passion my dream and be that girl galloping bareback in my shorts with just a halter and lead rope.

How much does one of these horses cost?(in US dollars if you can)

Good luck this year, and may he still show the fire for many years to come!

​@@sixmercer2504 I'm blown away by your story. ❤

Right?! That made me chuckle. How much would discipline fall apart if a mare were present? LOL!

Makes complete sense!

@@WhiteTiger333 I don’t mean that it couldn’t be done but stallions can cohabitate easier if there are no mares nearby. Stallions and mares compete in the show ring which is close quarters but the rider is in control.

True! I just chuckled because it's a reality of Nature. You are right, the rider should be in control, but the Force is strong with stallions, bless them. :)

A well-mannered stallion can do just fine with mares in the same space. Depends on the breed. I have seen a Quarterhorse stallion so quiet I didn't even know it was a stallion, and he was standing right next to me while I tended to my mare. But I have seen Morgan mares who behaved like stallions, in their stalls, wanting out.

Good luck, you have much to look forward to! 🍀🐎👍

Me too - They are amazing! Congratulations on your new horses, that is so exciting!

❤Mee too!

Thanks for watching, Sue!

Thank you for sharing your story, Carol! Sounds like you and he were meant to be together! 🥰What wonderful memories to cherish.

These Menorquins are so stunning, however, I suspect unattainable. Watched you ride the Thoroughbred in Kentucky and so hoped to see you blasting around the track at full speed. Do you ever get to get up to top speed?

Thanks for joining me. 😊

Awww, that is so cool! They are an incredible breed. What are your future plans for him?

@@DiscoverTheHorse thanks for him! To keep him as a stallion, and live his best horse life. Actually he is not « apto »(1m53😒) he needs 1m54 to be approved. I’m so sad about this réglementation. He had a lover this year, (Minorque too and no apto too). We are waiting for a baby next year. He is so cool. I will ride him afer his 6yo. Too young to support any saddle and rider. But he works really well with us even if I stay on the ground! And you?

A Levade is a crouch on the haunches at about a 45 degree angle, with front feet tucked under.

No one makes these horses do anything. They ask and encourage.

Awww, fun! 😊 Thanks for watching! What do you do with your QH?

@@DiscoverTheHorse I mostly just trail ride with him, but he is a competitive horse and super fast and agile, so I feel like I am riding a dirt bike. He really made me a better rider!

That is so exciting! Would love to see photos of the new foals when they arrive!

Thanks for watching! 😊

Thanks for watching, so glad you enjoyed the episode!

I loved it and can't wait to get back to Spain for more breeds! 🥰