We Ride Sport and Trail Magazine May 2019 | Page 27

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.