Because I Love You More

Indy_2011

By Jennifer Klitzke

I have always been passionate about the Spanish horse—anything with Iberian blood would do. Only I could never afford such a mount.

On a cold January 2012 morning, I was surfing Craigslist.com and light buckskin dun Spanish Mustang named Indian’s Legend (Indy) showed up in the results.

When my eyes first saw him, my heart leapt.

No, I didn’t need another horse, I already had four, but there was something about him.

The owner loved Indy, no doubt. Yet a single mom, working full time, and a full-time student, she was trying to hold her passions together when reality set in. She knew it was time to let Indy go.

Drop-dead gorgeous and the closest thing to Lusitano I’d ever be able to afford, I had to have him.

It took some savvy negotiating to talk my husband into the idea of another horse. It was easy for me to justify. Two of our horses were approaching their thirties, one was a rescue horse strapped with heaves, the other was a non-aerobic gaited horse. Indy would be about the same cost as a gym membership and I’d enjoy him more.

Loading him into the trailer, Indy’s previous owner’s heart was breaking. Her love for him streamed from her eyes as we drove away.

It didn’t take long to realize that Indy was exceptionally intelligent, bold and curious. He needed lots of variety to keep him from getting bored. He wouldn’t be satisfied with miles of 20 meter circles in an arena.

Indy was game for anything we faced. In the last five years he has made many life-long dreams come true in my grandma age. We took up trail riding, which led to trail obstacle challenges, which led to endurance riding. Then we took up stadium jumping which led to cross country and dressage shows, which led to eventing. Then we tried cow sorting followed by becoming a demonstration horse/rider team at the Minnesota Horse Expo. We even rode in a Mary Wanless riding biomechanics clinic. She has been an author I have studied for decades through her books and videos.

In our five years together, Indy earned Spanish Mustang Performance Horse of the Year in 2012 and 2015, 2012 Spanish Mustang Conquistador of Performance Award, and we achieved 2,000 trail miles.

my-spanish-mustang-1112-mary-wanless-clinic1
Mary Wanless Clinic (2012)
my-spanish-mustang-lake
Lots of trail rides (2012-2016)

 

2016 Mosquito Run
Endurance riding (2012-2016)

 

obstacles
Trail obstacles (2012-2016)

 

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping Stadium
Stadium Jumping (2013-2015)

 

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping a Water Obstacle
Steepleview Schooling Days (2013-2014)

 

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping a Log
Cross country (2013-2015)

 

Indians-Legend-Spanish-Mustang-Jennifer-Klitzke-2014-Dressage-D&G-Photography
Dressage Shows (2012-2016)

 

Indians-Legend-Spanish-Mustang-Jennifer-Klitzke-2014-Cross-Country-D&G-Photography
Steepleview Horse Trials (2013-2014)

 

My Spanish Mustang cow clinic
Sorting cows (2013-2016)

 

2016 MN Horse Expo featuring the Spanish Mustang
Minnesota Horse Expo (2015-2016)

 

Spanish Mustang Western Dressage
Western dressage (2017)

Only, I faced a cross road when family crisis interrupted our adventures.

On October 2014, after a family intervention, my Dad was admitted into a Memory Care Unit with Alzheimer’s disease. He was a genius in his own time–only 75 years old. The disease robbed him of his brilliant mind. Mom suffered two strokes trying to take care of him at home. Dad was out of control and Mom was at the end of her rope.

I gave up many weekend of Indy time to be with my Dad and Mom during this crisis. Working full time and caring for my family meant that my intelligent and talented Spanish Mustang’s life was on hold. This weighed heavily on me.

Last summer was hard in many ways. I watched my Dad slip away, and I watched Indy grow bored and frustrated. He longed for the adventurous life we once had—going places every weekend to new experiences.

I squeezed in a couple arena rides each week, but that got boring. Then I added obstacles, cavelettis, and jumps for interest. It helped, but Indy missed the life we once had and so did I, but there wasn’t anything I could do about the crisis my family was in.

In January 2017, my Dad passed away. Even thought I am relieved that he is no longer anguished by that brain devouring disease, I miss him.

Now Mom needs more help that ever. Still working full time, my husband and I help her on weekends through life without Dad to downsize 54 years of memories into a manageable living situation.

I looked ahead at this year’s show schedule. Last year’s best intentions didn’t get us to any shows except for the two virtual shows I recorded from home. This year wasn’t going to be any different.

Going on two years in Indy’s prime of life, it just wasn’t right for me to horde him for myself.

In the last few years, Indy’s previous owner had graduated from college and married. We have kept in touch since I bought him, and she asked if I ever needed to part with Indy to let her know. I watched how much fun she and her family have had riding their Spanish Mustangs through mature forest around their home year round. It is the life Indy came from. A life he loved and a life I can’t offer him.

I contacted Indy’s previous owner and asked if she would be interested in buying him back. She was thrilled to be reunited with Indy as her very own again.

Saying “goodbye” to the Spanish Mustang who made my dreams come true felt like another death, but I love Indy more than to see him waste away in boredom because of my busy life. I have deep gratitude in my heart for the five years we shared. I want Indy to be happy and in his element.

Nothing brings me greater joy than to see Indy go back to his first home whose owner loves him like I do and for Indy to live the trail horse dream.

Loading Indy into the trailer, my heart broke. My love for him streamed from my eyes as the trailer drove away.

Because I love you more, Indy. Because I love you more.

Lost one and gained two at Mosquito Run

2016 Mosquito Run
Me and my Spanish Mustang moving out in our extended trot to make time.

Oh my goodness. What a great day! I was so sad that my endurance riding friend had moved away, and I had high hopes to meet others in my area so that I could continue riding endurance style on the trail.

While at the Mosquito Run endurance ride held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Crow Hassan Park Reserve in Rogers, MN, I met two wonderful ladies who live in my area. One of whom just moved to the area and is a seasoned endurance rider. The other is a “game for anything” rider like me. Now I have two new friends to ride with (endurance style). Woot! Woot!

Our novice group of seven was off to a great start, until four dropped off to take a slower pace.

Suddenly our leader’s horse threw a shoe and had to drop out.

Oh, boy! That left a first-time novice endurance rider and I to tackle the ten-mile course in one hour and 45 minutes without a map or timer. (Thanks to the crew who did a great job marking the trails!)

2016 Mosquito Run
Our group began with seven and trickled down to two: no map and no timer. My riding partner has never ridden in an endurance ride before.

We held an extended trot until we encountered a wild turkey family who were hiding in the tall grass next to the trail. The horses sensed the birds long before we saw them. I coughed, but to no avail. (It seemed to scare away the bears last week at Sand Dunes State Forest.) Then I made my scariest predator sounds. Tom turkey popped up his head above the tall grass to take a gander. Followed by the hen and a dozen youngsters. The horses recoiled.

2016 Mosquito Run
Us after a dip and drink in the lake to cool off.

Finally our horses passed the flock of curious birds and we were on our way. We completed our ride 6 minutes over the optimum time.

Indy and I didn’t place, but we had a wonderful ride, and I enjoyed meeting new friends.

Special thanks to Bob Zimmerman for taking these beautiful photos, for the Park Reserve Staff who cleared the trails of fallen trees from last week’s storms, and for all of the volunteers who made the Mosquito Run possible.

P.S. Two people asked if Indy was a Kiger (and only one person asked if he was a Fjord)!

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year

Jennifer Klitzke and Spanish Mustang Indian's Legend at the 2014 Steepleview Horse Trials

By Jennifer Klitzke

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year and 1000 mileage patchAn unexpected surprise came in the mail the other day. My Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend was awarded 2014 Performance Horse of the Year with the Spanish Mustang Registry, and we earned our 1,000 mileage patch. Thinking back to 2014, Indy and I did a lot of cross country schooling shows which included dressage, stadium jumping and cross country, one recognized Horse Trial, a trail obstacle challenge, novice endurance ride, and lots of trail riding and training miles.

Here’s what Indy adventures contributed to the award:

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Reaching 1000 Miles

Reaching 1,000 miles in the saddle!


May 25, 2014
Three Ring Circus Schooling Show, Hugo, MN

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Three Ring Circus Dressage

Dressage: Training Level Test 3: 1st of 13 entries with a score of 72.8%

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Three Ring Circus Hunter

Hunter over 2’3″ verticals: 5th of 8
Hunter over 20″ verticals: 4th of 4


June 29, 2014
Pig Pond Classic Cross Country Schooling Show, Ham Lake, MN

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Pig Pond Classic Dressage

Dressage Test: 33.1% (66.9%)
2nd best score of 23 beginner starter novice entries

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Pig Pond Classic Stadium

Stadium (no faults)
2nd best score of 23 beginner starter novice entries

http://jenniferklitzke.com/myspanishmustang/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2014-SMR-Performance-Horse-of-the-Year-Indians-Legend-Pig-Pond-Classic.jpg

Cross Country (schooling only)


July 13, 2014
MNDRA Endurance Ride, Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Endurance

Novice Endurance, 6th of 15


July 20, 2014
Steepleview Schooling Days, Delano, MN

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping a Bank

Jumping up and down banks

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping a Log

Jumping over solid obstacles

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping a Ditch

Jumping over ditches

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping a Water Obstacle

And jumping in and out of water complexes
(schooling only)


August 2, 2014
RNR Ranch Trail Challenge, St. Croix Falls, WI

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Trail Challenge


August 3, 2014
Rocking R Cross Country Schooling Show, Foley, MN

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Rocking R Cross Country

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Rocking R Cross Country2

Starter Novice Cross Country: 4th of 6

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Rocking R Stadium

Hunter over 2’3″ verticals: 1st of 2
Hunter over 20″ verticals: 3rd of 4
Jumper over 2’3″ verticals: E


August 23-24, 2014
Steepleview Horse Trials, Delano, MN

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Dressage

Starter Novice Dressage: 36.5% (63.5%), 1st of 11

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping Stadium

Stadium, 5th of 11

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Cross Country

Cross Country, E
Team Challenge, 2nd of 2


September 14, 2014
Gambler’s Choice, Duluth, MN

2014 SMR Performance Horse of the Year Indian's Legend Jumping Stadium at Gambler's Choice

Stadium 2’3” (schooling only)
Cross country over solid obstacles, ditches, and banks (schooling only)


My Spanish Mustang Indy has made this timid dressage rider’s dreams of riding cross country come true. I love my boy!

 

2015 MnDra Novice Ride

heading out

By Jennifer Klitzke

The week after the Minnesota Horse Expo the annual MnDra endurance ride was held at Sand Dunes State Forest—my favorite place to ride. The footing is ideal for barefoot horses like mine and the scenery is breath taking. I took Indy to this ride in 2013 and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return.

Our weather couldn’t have been better. Our Novice group of four included two Arabians (one was ridden by our seasoned leader and the other by my friend), a Morgan, a Haflinger, and Indy my Spanish Mustang.

Our Novice Group
Our Novice Group led by a seasoned endurance rider kept us from getting lost. Our group included two Arabians, a Morgan, a Haflinger and a Spanish Mustang.
Following pie plates and ribbons
Following pie plates and ribbons to keep us on course.
The beginning of our 12 mile endurance ride
The beginning of our 12 mile endurance ride. (Note how clean we both appear.)
Our Novice Group
Cool photo by Hanks Hauser of our novice group.
mndra reflection
MnDra reflections.
What is that hanky doing there?
Indy wonders, “What is that hanky doing in that horse’s tail?”
(I kept him a safe distance not to find out.)
Heading toward the finish line
Heading toward the finish line after nearly two hours of brisk trotting.
(Note how not so clean we are.)
Completion awards
We made it back to receive our completion award.

Congratulations to my friend Michelle and her Arabian mare Molly who placed first in Novice out of nine.

Special thanks to volunteer photographers Bob Kaleido and Hank Hauser who took this fantastic photos and to the dozens of volunteers who made the endurance ride possible.

Visit www.mndra.com to learn about upcoming rides and get connected with these fun people on the MnDra facebook group.