Rider Connects with Very Special (and Lucky!) Horse

Published: 10/20/2010

By Sonia Theobalds

ANDY AND BUCK
How a Special Olympics Rider Found His Equine Partner

CLICK FOR WCSH story on Special Olympics Riding

I met a young man at Triple J Farm in Bowdoin, Maine. Full of smiles, Andy came to our campsite and happily introduced himself to my friend, Jessie and I.

We all immediately became buddies. In fact, we had so much fun we stayed on two extra days so we could all ride together.

I was particularly drawn to Andy and to his horse "Buck", who is extremely kind and gentle and takes exceptional care of his rider. Everyone seemed to notice the rapport between the two of them. It was beautiful to watch.

Andy, 32, is charming, funny and outgoing. He has a contagious smile. He told us about himself, about his rescue horse and how he was aiming at participating at the Special Olympics in Skowhegan in October.

Andy is a special person and Buck is a special horse. They have had their challenges along the way but together, they have an amazing bond.

A couple of years ago, Andy's sister Laura began the search for a calm horse for Andy. Up until then, Andy had been riding quiet, well-schooled horses in a controlled environment.

It was decided that the time had come for Andy to have a horse of his own, so Laura and her husband Ron went looking for a partner for Andy.

"I need a sound-minded horse who will take care of my brother", Laura explained to a horse dealer in Vermont. The dealer promptly invited them to go and look at a horse he had for sale and advised her, "If you don't take him, he's going to the meat market".
Laura, an experienced and wise horsewoman fired back: "You can play that card if you want to, but if he can't fill the shoes that I need him to fill then I can't take on a horse I can't use."

The cards were laid on the table and Laura, Ron, and Andy piled in the truck to go and check out the buckskin Quarter Horse.

The first thing Laura noticed was that the gelding was about 200 pounds underweight and he had a mild case of heaves. The dealer quickly had the horse saddled up and mounted by a stable girl. "See what you think," he instructed Laura and her family. The minute the stable girl got on board, Buck surged forward at full speed and, as Laura put it, "began trucking around the ring."

[Photo at right, Jessie and Andy and their horses.]

Laura approached the dealer and told him candidly, "I don't think this is going to work." As they were turning to leave, Laura and the dealer talked. The stable girl had ground tied Buck and left him in the arena. Andy was casually watching from the sidelines and the horse meandered over to Andy and put his head directly on Andy's chest.
It was that simple move that changed everything for both Andy and Buck.

Andy and Laura exchanged glances and after some discussion (and Andy's persistence), Laura agreed that her brother would try him. Up until that day, Andy was only used to riding calm plunk-around-the-ring horses, but Andy was adamant. He wanted to try.

Laura was hesitant. "After all", she explained to me, "This is my baby brother."

The minute Andy settled into the saddle, Buck lowered his head and slowed his pace. Laura and Ron watched in awe and anticipation.

For 45 minutes Andy and Buck got to know each other. It couldn't have gone any smoother. When Andy got a little off balance, Buck shifted his weight and got underneath his rider. When Andy became nervous, Buck stopped. When Andy got a little off balance, Buck shifted his weight and got underneath his rider. When Andy became nervous, Buck stopped. Ron hopped on Buck for a test ride and was surprised that the horse knew more than he was letting on; he knew how to neck-rein and he could spin at the slightest cue.

Andy told Laura and Ron this is the horse he wanted because "He trusts me and I think I can trust him."

$300 was exchanged and Buck went home to Andy a few days later.

Since going to his new home, Buck has proven to be a champion in many ways. His heaves are under control. All it took was cautious dietary and environmental management. He loves to trail ride and he takes care of Andy.

Jan Marconi of Triple J Farm in Bowdoin, coached Andy for the Special Olympics this year. On October 2, they made their debut together and they placed first in Barrels and second in their Trail Class. As Jan said in a recent email to me, "Buck .... well, there aren't words to describe THAT horse!".

Over the years, I have learned that sometimes the smallest moments in our lives have the biggest impact on our future. A simple nudge, a prod, a "look." It can make all the difference in the world.

Congratulations, Andy and Buck! I am so glad you have found each other and it is a pleasure knowing you and your family!

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