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| Stadium Arcadium aka Rico Flaunting his regal lineage at his first horse show. |
From
Weedon Bec, Northhamptonshire, United Kingdom, Andie Fessey is the owner
of beautiful ex-race horse, Stadium Arcadium - barn name Rico.
Stadium Arcadium is Rico’s Passport name and Andie is trying to
find out Rico’s beginnings. As a retired thoroughbred racer, Rico has raced at
Wincanton, United Kingdom, with an extremely promising start, but Andie
discovered later that Rico received an injury and was dismissed from racing.
Andie
is asking for help in finding Rico’s history. If you know of Rico’s beginnings
and his famous connection in the horse-world, please leave a comment for Andie!
Andie
explains, “In short, Rico has had a hard life before he came into our life.
Now, he has found his home. He will never be sold on. Without wishing sounding
like a cliché; he is more than just a horse. He is a member of the family, a
best friend, a confidante, a soul-mate.”
How did you
acquire ex-TB racer, 'Rico' aka Stadium Arcadium?
When
my son blessed me with a grandson, Harley (at an early age, I hasten to add, I
am only 46!), I wanted to get something which the family could share and enjoy
together (I was sorely tempted to buy a sports-car for myself but I now am glad
I did not take that route even though I do on occasion say I wish I had bought
the Subaru instead of the horse!). I looked at adverts for horses in Equine
publications and on web-sites but, being a novice I could not tell the difference
at the time between a decent horse and a rocking horse.
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| Rico's original advertisement photo. |
A
few horses were looked at but then we saw Rico advertised on a ‘horses for sale’
website. There was just something about him even in those initial pictures; he
just stood out from the rest. We went to see him and fell in love with him. He
was in the ownership of a young couple who had several horses and seemingly a
lot of bills. He was really calm which we later found out to him being sedated.
After we had him loaded on the transporter to take him back home, I was passed his
passport. I joked that what did I need his passport for as he would not be
flying anywhere with me. We settled him into his stable and later on had a chance
to look at his passport in detail. That is when we realized what his registered
name was.
Is he the
famous racer?
Yup.
There is only one other Stadium Arcadium (Kiwi). Rico is detailed
with Weatherbys as Stadium Arcadium (IRE). Rico in detail... Rico is a 16'2 hh
chestnut gelding. Born in 2003 (see bloodline below). He is bar and pin fired
on both front legs. He walks with an aura of regal grace around him.
What is Rico's
disposition?
Where
to start lol? Rico is in some ways a typical ex racer, a typical TB. However he
has the sweetest most quirky character. My partner says he is different than
any other horse she has ever met in the 40 years she has been around horses. He
is incredibly fast and can jump anything in front of him (when he wants to).
Literally.
Whilst
at the stables, he had been turned out into the gelding field. At the end of
the day as the last horse in the field, he seemed to be enjoying his own
company and did not wish to return to his stable. The stable-manager came out
and started to shout at him, Rico trotted towards the stable-manager who said
with his usual arrogance that some horses will ‘try this on, and this is how
you stop them and show who is boss’ as he raised his arms above his head in
front of Rico, who, went straight into full gallop, leapt and cleared well over
the stable-manager (with a lot of room to spare) who stood there frozen in
shock as Rico proceeded to just slow down and munch grass! He is very scopey.
He doesn't really know how to canter, he falls and stumbles into this pace,
often looking exactly like Bambi on ice for the first 20 or so strides. He is
socially awkward when it comes to other horses and prefers the company of humans
- though he will adopt the milder smaller horses in as such as not letting any
of the larger horses in the field ‘bully’ them. He will not back down under any
circumstances and has to be top of the pecking order in the field.
Rico
is also extremely very clever. He has worked out how to open his stable door.
He also figured out that if he stretches enough then he can reach the neighboring
stables feed box, pulling it over to be in front of his own stable and
therefore eating the contents (please be aware that the feed box in question is
approx. 6ft wide and made of heavy wood with a heavy hinged lid!). He has a
liking for a rare treat of coca cola, chocolate, mints and jelly tots. He
becomes very 'alert' when he smells coffee or chocolate and will do anything to
get them. Whilst being ridden he can be the most sweetest, adorable, obedient
horse, doing everything you ask of him. However at other times he will simply
decide that he does not want to be ridden and will try to unseat his rider
anyway he can. He must still have flashbacks of being a racer, as when being
schooled or when he is in the field, if another horse runs past him he will go
from halt to full gallop without giving notice. Rico can be unpredictable
(however we are now able to spot little changes and nuances in his behavior and
the odd mannerism that gives us an indication that he may misbehave).
Rico does
not like being lead in-hand and will often rear up when being turned out to
graze. We have now learned how to prevent this. However, on a windy day, or if
there is a mare in season,
or if one of the dogs who live on the stables are near (plus several other
incidental things) then we have to carefully plan the short walk from his
stable to the fields gate to prevent any silliness. If you can imagine a 109
stone bouncing Tigger on the end of a lead rope then that may give you an
indication of what he is like on these occasions! He has a very sweet nature,
but he can figure out very quickly who he can get the better of. He seems to be
able to read people. He started acting differently towards my partner when she
became pregnant, from acting like a spoilt, obstinate child to gently nudging
her when he wanted to get her attention. He is also extremely gentle with
children allowing them to do anything to him.
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| Rico being a role model for the young ones. |
What is your
event/riding discipline?
I
am currently under-going training with a fantastic coach, Rose, as I aim to be
competing in dressage in 2015. My partner is multi-discipline and has been very
successful in XC.
Training:
Not applicable in regards to training, however, my partner has re-trained Rico
from being what can only be described, as one other horse owner deemed, a
'dangerous animal' to being something that we can trust enough to have a small
child enter his stable and pick his feet out. There has been lots of de-sensitizing
(black bins). Rico was incredibly head shy due to mistreatment in the past when
he was competing, yet now we can pick up a whip and stroke his face with it and
he simply stands there with a 'okay, that feels nice, but can I have a treat
please' kind of look on his face.
What's in the future
for you, horse-wise?
A
biggie, but every now and then you have to chase your dreams before they fly
away. After long months of negotiation, we are about to have a dream fulfilled.
The establishment / running / owning of an equestrian Centre. Not just a normal
equestrian centre, though livery will play a part. An equestrian therapy
centre. We will be taking people on a personal journey of recovery. People who
have suffered loss, trauma, victors of cancer, ex-service-people, people with
disabilities etc.
My partners dream is to also provide the opportunity to young
people who live in cities and towns made of concrete to experience what it
feels like to ride. To feel the adrenalin rush when cantering towards a jump.
We would like to say that we would want to rescue horses that have been mistreated
and provide them with a loving home where they felt safe and secure but to be
honest, at the moment, that isn't going to pay the bills. But what we do intend
doing however is when we are looking to purchase horses as therapy horses then
these animals will come from rescue centres. Sadly, it is not only people which
need rescuing.
When was your
first encounter with a horse?
For
me, I was a late starter in my equestrian life. My first real encounter was
about 5 years ago whilst staying in Mexico (a psychotic cob named Zeppo). My
partners’ first encounter was when she was 2 years old. Her aunt, on seeing her
face light up with delight when visiting a riding school bought her a Shetland
pony on the spot and her love of horses started then.
What does
horsemanship mean to you?
It
is a way of life, is our life. It's about having an unbreakable trust with an
animal that could at any time hurt you but still getting onto its’ back and
feeling that connection. It is about looking into the horses’ eyes and feeling
love and pride. It's a feeling of freedom, human and horse joined as one in
union. It is a skill, an art, a commitment to myself and to my horse. It is a
journey along a very long road, learning something new every day. It is about
having a best friend who can read you like a book, who knows when you are happy
or sad without being told and who happens to have a mane and tail. It's about
teamwork.
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| Rico's first day at his new home. |
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Rico getting ready for his first show. |
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