We’re extremely pleased to announce a new High Point award debuting at this year’s SAFE Show: Champion Blind Horse.
Spirit & Juliane competing at the Hollywood Hills Saddle Club show
The inspiration for the Champion Blind Horse award is a mare named Spirit, who will be at the show this year competing against sighted horses in the show arena. Spirit was rescued from the kill pen at an auction when she was just 6 months old by Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team. This little mare grew up to be a beautiful riding horse, recently taking Reserve High Point W/T Western at Hollywood Hills Saddle Club with rider/trainer Juliane Hanley of Diamond J Training. Though she cannot see so much as a shadow, Spirit is trusting, sweet and a loyal lifetime companion to her adopter Susan Irvine which proves how very much potential every horse can have when given a chance at life.
Spirit and a friend
Susan approached us with the idea for a special award for blind horses, in hopes that Spirit might be an inspiration to others with blind or partly sighted horses. “I am not interested in the award for myself, of course,” Susan says, “but thought that with blind horses being absolutely magnificent animals, having a high point award available might encourage those whose horses are blind to reach out to others for help, to know it’s not the end of their horses ability to be ridden.” She hopes that the Spirit Award will encourage others to continue to work with their blind horses, and bring them to future SAFE shows and compete alongside other sighted horses.
The Champion Blind Horse award will go to the blind horse who scores the most points in competition at the show. The winner will receive a tri-color rosette and a $25 gift card donated by Olson’s Tack Shop.