When a parent raises a child there are two things that parent must give to them – roots and wings. Giving them roots takes work and time and patience. But giving them wings can be even harder. How does it feel to give them what they need and then watch them leave the nest? And is it any different when that child is your horse?

There is a responsibility you feel as the owner of a talented horse. It is the responsibility to allow that horse to be the best that it can be. It is the job of the owner, like a parent’s responsibility to a child, to give that animal the best education you can so they may truly excel and use their gifts. First you must give them roots…and then, often, you must let them go and give them wings to fly.
In May of 2007, at the Showpark Ranch & Coast Horse Show in Del Mar, CA, professional rider Erin Duffy saw Rumba for the first time.

He was 7 years old, and Cam Smith had just imported him from Denmark the month before. He was at the show getting some experience, but not competing.
Erin was sitting on a horse and saw Mosegaarden's Caramba trot across the warm up arena. She realized this was the horse that Mandy Porter had told her about; Cam had a new gray jumper that looked more suited to the hunter ring. Erin went straight up to Cam and asked him about Rumba. Cam told her the horse was for sale as he was a little more horse than he had expected for his client (a junior jumper rider). Erin immediately asked to sit on him and asked for first right of refusal. Once she rode him, she said, "There was just no question in my mind that he was 100 percent genuine and had all the quality that you are lucky to find once in a lifetime! " She knew it from that first day.

Read all about:

Erin's clean sweep of all five amateur-owner classes.

Tim Hooker's plan to take the Ariat Challenge Cup

Rumba's early years and how he got where he is today.

....and more!

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