Beloved Budenny

Beloved Budenny 03/03/2010

The Golden Horse Quarterly
Second Edition: Volume 1 / March 1, 2010

Budenny horses possess many admirable characteristics that make them excellent riding partners both for show and pleasure. Their temperaments have a range of amiability and independence that is reminiscent of their original purpose as cavalry officers’ mounts. The following stories have been submitted by U.S. Budenny owners and help to illustrate the character and personalities of Budennies as well as the relationships forged between them and their owners.

Horse: Red Scare, ’91 Imported Budenny Gelding; Submitted by Angela Nightengale of Florida:

“When people ask about the Budenny or more specifically our Red Scare, the thing that impresses me most is his desire to do his job. When he arrives to the show, getting to the ring is an exciting part of his experience. At home, he can be difficult to focus since most days consist of flat work, which he doesn't perceive as important. At the shows, he's all business, and loves every moment of his job competing with his adult amateur rider in the jumpers.He likes to be on a routine when he is at home, and has a serious all business personality even when grazing at the farm. Maybe it's focus or drive, but he seems to know what he wants. He is the most hearty of horses I have ever seen - still sound after competing all of these years and acts like he is six.”

Horse: Copper Penny, ’05 Budenny X Quarter/TB Mare; Submitted by Sami Nelson of Kimberly, ID (Commenting as a trainer on Penny and Katie, her young rider and co-owner) :

“I see a wonderful bond forming here. Since we can only ride one day a week, given our Idaho winter and Penny is boarded with our Driving horses, she has quickly learned what day Tuesday is. Although we go over twice a day to feed and grain her, she knows when Katie is coming and stands at the fence to be collected up, jumps in the trailer for her ride to the arena and can hardly wait to see her buddy Big Red (22-year old Quarter Horse gelding). She stands tied, loves to be groomed and sets out to show everyone what she can do. Her wonderful attitude is one of trying to please and "OH Boy what are we going to do today?"

We are starting her on Basic Dressage exercises to strengthen her and teach her a little concentration. Then we go to basic ground pole and jumping exercises. Mostly X's still, and just a little vertical once in a while. Since Katie is not an experienced trainer, "this is her first project from scratch" and we are going nice and slow and quiet. No pressure to hurry, but to give Penny just enough to keep her interested. She loves her girl and looks and watches for her. A very loyal breed. I am delighted to see what Horse and Rider are doing for each other.”

Horse: Kieshla, ’05 Budenny Gelding; Submitted by Susie Ericson of McCall, ID:

“Once Kieshla was gelded, after the required waiting period, I put a sassy Welsh pony in with him, and then I put in the Thoroughbred mare, Dozen Red Roses—whom I refer to as "Hell Bitch" as in the Lonesome Dove movie. :) HB has been The Boss ever since she arrived. She hoards the best food and is a complete jerk about it. The pony is extremely aggressive for her size, as well, but was cowed by HB. They get basically grass hay, but I had been feeding Kieshla some alfalfa every day for a treat after his surgery and he was very fond of it.

Kieshla is the mildest mannered guy you ever saw, but surprise, surprise…the white mare now SHARES because she has to. Kieshla calmly eats the alfalfa, and let's her eat it, AND let's the pony eat it. At first the mare tried to kick the pony off while maintaining her rights, but it didn't work. She got herself kicked off too when she stirred things up. So now, the three of them munch away just like the Peaceable Kingdom. It's hilarious. HB has met her match, a big gawky, shy teenager who shares! Hah! Frankly, I think it's just a trait of the Budennies, because Koled (his sire) has always shared too.”

Horse: Simply Rose, ’05 Budenny Mare; Submitted by Dr. Margo Saunders of Rupert, ID:

“EVERYone, most recently my friend JoAnna, who works with her, and rides her, loves her...And, this is of a horse that was WILD AS A MARCH HARE! when we met in 2007. I've had her since she was about 18 months old, and now she is 4 1/2 years, will be 5 in October, or so...She is lovely, and affectionate, and sensible, and easy to work with. JoAnna blanketed her Saturday (in the bitter cold, with the wind blowing) without halter, and flashed back to the first day she tried to get this accomplished (probably last fall sometime) and thought she was going to die trying. First time I tried leading her outside of her pen (this would have been in the spring of 2008?) she bolted though the pen gate and dragged me at the end of a 25-foot long cotton lead rope!! Oh, my! But we have come a long way!!

She is pregnant, bred, not to another Budenny, but rather to Redwine, an imported (and Approved) Hanoverian Stallion who is also half-brother to my show horse, LaRocco. We are hoping for another fancy hunter horse. Redwine belongs to Jill Burnell of Gray Fox Farm, in Petaluma, California. Rose has settled down a lot with her pregnancy, and is doing very well. She is schooling under saddle, walk, trot, canter, and is increasingly well balanced, and delightful. She is also jumping small obstacles, and suffered a small "meltdown" with that when I added flowers to the equation. She's been trotting the poles with flowers in the neighborhood, though, and seems to have forgiven me. I think I heard her say, the other day, "Oh, I guess the flowers really aren't any big deal." And, after all, they are red, white, and blue (silk) roses, and rosebuds. What more could a girl named Rose ask for?”

Horse: Kinaja, ’07 Budenny Mare; Submitted by Karina Rapp of Temecula, CA:

“When I met my mare for the second time, she was being pushed out the back of a trailer after a long interstate haul. She was a confused and scraggly ten-month old with two inches of winter hair to combat the snowy Idaho winter, displaced now to the pleasant conditions of southern California. Minimally handled and hardly halter-broke, I led her to a paddock 300 feet away. I was encouraged by her willing behavior, but I would later learn that I would have a hellion on my hands until the two-year mark passed. The first year I owned her we worked six days a week on all sorts of exercises and explored trails and obstacles. I learned how to handle a youngster’s caprices, how to avoid her corkscrew kicks and how to discourage rearing on the line. I found her to be sensible, forgiving, extremely trainable and willing to please.

She does not have a mean bone in her body; whatever playfulness she has ever attempted has been in play and to express a genuine joy of living. In fall of her second year, I took her to a small local event to represent the Budenny horse in a demonstration. It was as if she had been doing it for years…she watched everything with interest (especially the mini donkeys!). When it came time for her turn, she listened to me attentively, trotted in hand quietly, and paid no mind to the blaring loudspeakers and music. I believe she was in her element at the show; she relished in the attention and activity and performed beyond all expectations. Kinaja is beloved by all who meet her. It has been said of her that she has better manners than most adult horses and is the best-behaved young horse that many people have met. She still shows off her ‘Hollywood rear’ in turnout though, and knows when she is on display.”

~.~
Special thanks goes out to everyone who contributed to this piece. Edited by Karina Rapp.
In Association With The North American Budenny Society
www.budennyhorse.com

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