HICKSTEAD

Hickstead (RIP) was definitely one of the “other” horses.  When I saw him compete at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, it was easy to recognize that even among the top athletes and world class equestrians, he was a seriously challenging ride.  Even after all the top level competitions he’d been in, travels around the world, and training with some of the best, he still bolted after some landings and appeared difficult to get calmed down.

I thought he was glorious and full of life.

 According to the article below, Hickstead was sweet, gentle, sensitive, and spooky.  What an incredible horse.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2011/11/13/the_secret_life_of_hickstead.html

TRAVELLER

General Lee’s famous horse was also an atypical mount.

He was known to be excitable, hot and unruly.  He was spooky despite the fact that he went regularly into battle.  Traveller reared, would never settle and insisted on being in front of the other horses.  The general was often unable to get the horse to walk, and he would jig constantly. On one occasion the general’s son rode Traveller for 30 miles and the horse kept up an uncomfortable, choppy jog-trot for the entire journey.

Whenever he was mounted, the horse wanted to keep up a fast pace and often required being held in check by the reins, hence the name Traveller.  Owned by a true horseman, Traveller was beloved by his owner, who thought he was the best horse in the world.  Most other people didn’t care to ride him.

From the book “Traveller” by Richard Adams:

“Now, you know, Tom, it’s not everyone likes riding me, as I’ve come to larn over the years.  It takes a durned good man to ride me, and I’ve no use for any other sort.  I’ve got a lot of go in me, and I jest can’t abide hanging around.  I will walk, mind you, if a man really wants it and insists, but I always keep it fast and springy.  What I really like, though, is a sort of a short, high trot–what they call a buck-trot–and that always seems to go hard on a rider unless he’s got a real good seat.  Why, I’ve kept up that kind of a trot for thirty mile or more before now, and jest refused to walk.  I’ve always reckoned a good horse has to put a proper value on hisself, or no one else will.”