Walnut Creek Andalusians

PAGE TWO

2 years old

IALHA #5235(S)
Pure Spanish
Pure Black!
1/4 Escalara
1/2 Guardiola
15.3 hands

Revised and Approved

by the

Cria Caballar of Spain

#22EU275

2 years old

<above> - Rico and I in the Jack's Fork River on a Cross Country Trail Ride in Eminence, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Lynn Photo Services.

<above> - Here is Rico just starting his sliding stops on his way to a career in Reining

2 years old

Photo at 4 months





The above 12 photos were taken at revision with Rico 4 years old all 12 photo credits to: Michelle Tennyson

photos above are all at 4 years of age

Rico, at the age of 7, after a week of showing in Las Vegas at "Celebration", on the way home we spent a week riding in the mountains in Durango, CO Rico went from "show horse" to "mountain mule" overnight. Riding in the mountains was very challenging, more so than any show ring. We encountered terrifying drop offs, swinging wooden foot bridges, swift currents in rivers, crossing more than 20 downed trees over a foot in diameter at chest height, narrow trails, rocky paths in torrential downpours, train tracks, boggy ground and going up and down extremely steep and treacherous trails. Rico did everything I asked of him without faltering, even the stupid things that later we realized we never should have done. When we got lost and he was dragging with tiredness, he found the heart and strength to get me back to camp.

His willingness and courage constantly impressed me. I am in awe of him. He truly epitomizes the "horse that can do it all"

Above: 1. The 2 stallions in camp at Columbine on the picket line where they stayed (line is from trailer to tree) 2. Arnie on his Walker stallion and Rico and I ready to head out of camp in the morning. 3. Rico and I at 9374 feet elevation over Electra Lake. One of the days we spent lost with no trail.

Above: 1. Another view of Rico and I over Electra Lake and still lost...but the scenery was beautiful! (Side Note: Just wanted to point out that I was not responsible for where we went. I trustingly left that to Arnie who spent 12 years in Durango and supposedly knew every trail) 2. This photo is a testament to Rico. This day started out with a ride down to Purgatory Flats. We then followed the trail along Cascade Creek and back up the mountain. This trail was extremely harrowing, about 18" wide, with a 200-300 ft drop off to the river and a sheer wall on the right. There were hazardous rocks in the path the whole way. Rico's side has never gotten so much constant leg pressure. Rico handled it all calmly and was very sure-footed, looking and placing each foot carefully while handling the extreme ups and downs (amazing for Kansas plains horse). Meanwhile I was trying not to look down, lose my breakfast or pass out. We got to the bottom and had lunch at Teff Spur where the picture was taken. And yes, Rico crossed the swinging wooden foot bridge in the background of the picture.This is were Cascade Creek flows into the Animas River. We then crossed the train tracks and headed several miles up river toward Needleton following the Animas River. We turned back and since there was no way we were going back over the terrifying trail we had just come down, we decided to return on Stagecoach trail along the Little Cascade. This trail is not maintained by anyone as we soon found out. Big, downed trees blocked the trail many times. The horses grew adept at reaching over logs chest high. The path grew very slick when it started to pour as it did every afternoon. The trail became nonexistent on the backside of Electra Lake and we had to continue on through unmarked and hazardous ground. With an exhausted Rico leading the way, we managed to forge our way back to camp, feeling much like original explorers and very relieved to be back 3. Rico and I on Castle Rock, elevation 10441 ft. The lake over my right shoulder is Electra Lake where we had such a trying time the previous 2 days.

Above: 1. Arnie and me and the 2 stallions at the top of Castle Rock. We had a friendly hiker take our picture. 2. Rico and I at the very top of Purgatory ski area (Durango ski resort). This ski lift is the highest one (10290 elev) and we are in front of the map of all the ski trails. 3. Rico and I in front of a directional ski run sign with the lift behind us. This was my favorite ride as the trail up to Castle Rock was easily visible and well maintained. I enjoyed seeing and riding on a ski resort when it is not covered in snow and in use. It was also a very nice way back down as we only had to follow the ski runs and there was no way of getting lost! I'm sure the tired horses liked the easy-going downhill path for their last ride in comparison to how we had gotten down mountains on our previous rides. For all our trials and tribulations, the scenery was always impressive and awe-inspiring. After a 2 week "vacation" of first winning 2 blue ribbons and then proceeding undaunted through the wilderness, Rico had proven himself, above and beyond my expectations, worthy of the highest acclaim