About the author: Julie Alonzo and her home-bred Andalusian mare CDC Memoria, currently compete at the Intermediate
A level.
For more information about Working Equitation, please visit our website: www.WEUnited.us.
Erica Peet Photo by Howard Peet
OBI BEFORE
OBI AFTER
She reflects, “The ugly little guy turned into a very pretty
horse and is becoming my WE partner. I am having the
time of my life with this funny horse, what an unexpected
gift he has been! He is always the cutest horse in every
show with his wild frizzy mane and big kind eyes.”
OBI
In Oklahoma, the blue roan rescue gelding Obi Wan
Kenobi, has started to rack up points in the sport as well.
His owner, Abby Ocker, shared his story with us.
“Obi came into Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue in January
of 2015 as an abandonment/neglect case with 11 other
horses. Sadly, 2 of those horses died due to their severe
condition. Obi (named Hooey by the rescue) was
estimated to be 4 years of age. He had a body score of 3,
was covered in ticks and rain rot, infested with parasites,
and slightly anemic. He sat at the rescue for the next two
years, being overlooked due to his aversion to people
and flighty nature.”
In 2017, Abby picked him as her makeover horse for a
competition the rescue holds every year where trainers
take untouched horses and turn them into dependable
riding companions in about four months. She explains,
“Obi was definitely a difficult one to break the ice with.
For the first month, we did only ground work and saddle
prep leading up to our first ride. He still bucked me off
on the first ride, so we spent another month on the
ground. I absolutely fell in love with him over the next
two months. He went on to win the challenge which
enabled me to purchase him and bring him home
permanently, giving him the new name, Obi.”
“Just this year, we started schooling Novice A and found
a new gear, Speed! He absolutely loves Speed! His entire
demeanor changes, his ears come up, and he gets an
excited look on his face when I ask him for speed as he
loves to run! He is now a horse I can put anyone on
without fear. In March 2019, he attended a schooling
show with two riders, me in Novice A, and my little sister
in Introductory. He took great care of both of us, pulling
off a second or first in all trials for both levels! Our
schooling season is over for the year, but we are aiming
to hit all three of the Oklahoma B-rated shows this fall to
be eligible to win a year end prize!”
To qualify for the Rescue Awards, owners must submit
one of the following by November 1 of the competition
year in which the award is being earned:
1. A letter of adoption from a 501(c)(3) rescue
organization.
2. A bill of sale from any documented kill pen.
3. A letter from a veterinarian confirming the equine’s
rehab from a body score of 3 or less to a show-healthy
condition.
WE United is excited to be showcasing the talent that
can be found in rescue horses if one looks
beyond the neglect and focuses on their
potential.