Darwin is a sweet, hardworking boy who enjoys spending lots of time with his partner! He’s naturally athletic, with a muscle memory of years of dressage work from a Pony Club foundation. He has brought his two young riders up the Pony Club certifications and dressage levels through C1 riding and First Level. He has been well cared for by his family for the last 8 years, and has shown in many different environments, both indoor and outdoor, from 2017-2022, including local schooling shows, clinics, and Pony Club rallies across the state.

Over the last two years, Darwin has mostly been ridden lightly for fun at the barn. He is now coming into more regular work, focusing on rebuilding his condition and polishing up his fundamentals. Already he has been a great ride, with easy, comfortable gaits and a consistent, working contact. He is easy to put to work right away, enjoying staying engaged and focused through a thoughtfully orchestrated ride. Darwin puts in great effort into doing what is asked of him, even when it is getting difficult mentally or physically, and is willing to give even more with just a little push. He very much enjoys a consistent work schedule, improving with each ride and carrying over his progress made during training sessions to his amateur rider.

Although Darwin has not traveled lately, he is good in the trailer solo or with a buddy for both short and long distances. Ground ties and bathes well, easy handling for both the farrier and vet; has not needed to be clipped before. No vices, rear, buck, or bolt. He goes barefoot and is an easy keeper with store-brand allergy meds and joint supplement just for maintenance. While he is stabled inside overnight, he prefers to be out all day with his pasture mates rather than be left alone, and gets along easily with other geldings. No long-term lameness issues, with only a scar on his left hind pastern from a minor pasture wound from 8 years ago that does not affect him.

While he has a solid foundation in both riding and ground manners, he still has his moments of distraction in which a more experienced person is preferred. The best fit for him would be an intermediate young rider or adult amateur who is in a regular lesson program with a trainer. Someone who is looking to grow their overall riding skills and gain experience with particular dressage movements, potentially through the First Level again once fully fit, on a solid horse with pleasant gaits and easily rideable movements. A quality home that fits his needs is an absolute must. Regular pasture turnout, consistent work, and a loving partnership with lots of attention have been Darwin’s life for almost ten years now, and we would like his next home to be able to continue that experience moving forward. His only reason for being put up for sale is that his current partner is leaving for college in June. Video: https://youtu.be/y8bJBolRf7I