Champ - ATFO 2025 Platinum Division

Champ

2012

Appalachian Brumby Gelding

13.2 HH

Champ is in training for 110+ days with Maggie Higgins and will be available for adoption to approved applicants at the ATFO event in August 2025. Starting bid 1500. Follow his progress at #hopteamchamp.

From the trainer 7/8/25

Month 2 with Champ flew by! Here’s some of the stuff we’ve been working on! (Ps I cant figure out how to make a video on FB without having the same part of the song play over and over so oh well)

Champ started the month of June with 9 rides. Now I’ve lost count of how many times he’s been ridden (20+). His steering at the trot is beginning to get really good. He maintains his trot as well without me having to pester him too much to keep going. He’s making great progress softening to the bit- although he does still have some of his own opinions, he’s learning to voice them more politely.

He’s really come out of his shell this month. The same pony that took me an hour and a half to catch in May now comes when I call him (most of the time). Instead of holding his fear inside until he explodes, he’s more openly expressing when he starts to feel uncomfortable with something. This is good because he’s having less of those big reactive spooking episodes and gaining confidence.

We’ve played around with a lot of different experiences this month- having new riders on his back, trot poles, cones, trailering, obstacles, baths, meeting new people (including my kids) riding bareback, etc. He handles new things very well.

Thus far Champ can:

comfortably have all four feet picked up and be trimmed by the farrier

stand tied

ground tie

stand still for saddling, bridling, mounting and dismounting (from the ground or mounting block)

lunge both ways

trot in hand

stands for fly spray and being hosed off

walk, trot and back up under saddle

be caught easily

load into a trailer easily

Some things we plan to continue to work on (in addition to practicing his skills)

-softening to the bit

-yielding the forehand under saddle

- learning to canter comfortably

- dragging objects (this was very scary)

-being comfortable with strangers

Whoever ends up with this pony will be super lucky!

Horses are typically located in the Appalachian area, but please inquire about a horse's specific location when you apply!

We are looking to adopt to safe homes.

A history of good horsemanship, the ability to provide sufficient care with good vet, farrier and peer references are important. If you are a first-time horse owner, we will require you to board at a facility for the first year while you learn more about care. We encourage everyone to take advantage of riding lessons.

Foal adoptions require previous, established experience with youngsters.

Our adoption process makes sure you get the right horse for you – it is a no-fail process for finding the right match.

Apply at https://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt