The SW Award Program recognizes your efforts to promote the awesome Marchador breed using a SW Marchador (bred, sold or imported). Getting our Marchadors in the spotlight – out into national or local all-breed events is not only fun, it helps others to see the quality, versatility and performance of the breed. Any horse purchased from Summerwind, their foals or the product of a breeding from or to a Summerwind horse is eligible.
We couldn’t be happier that this year’s big winner was Laurie Klassen and Beethoven do Summerwind. Read their story below and you will agree!
Congratulations, Laurie and Beethoven! (cheers and tears of joy!)
Laurie’s Story
Beethoven winning the 2011 Summerwind Awards,is a “rags to riches” story in my eyes.
Beethoven arrived at my farm 20 months ago, starved and extremely aggressive. He had endured some hardship since he left Summerwind. I knew there were problems when I bought him,but as I purchased him sight unseen the magnitude of what I faced left me floundering. 2.5 on the Henneke body condition scale and a horse fighting for his life.
My endurance plans went up in smoke, I dug deep and settled in for the long road of rehabilitation.
Fast forward 1 year, it’s May 2011. Ready to rock and roll and show my world what a Marchador is. At each event Beethoven gained confidence, each new experience pushed me to try the next one. My goal was to find out what Beethoven loved and along the way we had amazing experiences and won a few awards. Our season culminated with Beethoven winning reserve grand champion in versatility at Western Canada’s largest all breed gaited show.
I am still struggling with some of the remaining starvation issues, who knew there were such long lasting effects? But I have hope that with time and consistency his mind and body will heal.
I really hope Beethoven approves of where his award money will be spent, towards a saddle purchased just for him.
- Iberian Breed Demo. June 11
- Dressage/jumping camp. June 27- July 1
- Inner city kids and horses day. (EAL ) July 13
- Competitive Trail Challenge. June 25 and July 23
- Gaited clinic Aug 12-14
- Heritage Days Parade. Aug 20
- All Breed Gaited Show Sept 2-4
The above contains the formal planned part of our riding season. We also participated in many trail rides,horse camping, ground and water training. (I believe he will need the services of a phycologist to totally rise above his water phobia 🙂 ) And we logged many miles endurance training,( btw Beethoven has a strong opinion about endurance…boring! ) and lastly, started him on cattle before winter came.
I also marvel that in late fall I was able to trust Beethoven to carry two teenaged, inexperienced riders on lovely fall rides. They were thrilled with how sensible he was and, of course, how smooth.
The end
Laurie Klassen, SK, Canada, Owner of Beethoven do Summerwind
More about Beethoven:
Beethoven do Summerwind is the product of 2 of our finest imported Marchador horses: Azenha de Maripa and La Paz Jivago. He was always a favorite around the barn with a Dennis the Menace kind of mischievous look to his eyes. He left us at age three as a dream horse purchase. And so it appeared to be, as we heard stories and got pictures of Beethoven happily being ridden in camp, playing soccer and bareback. So, we were shocked when the new owner called and said she wanted to sell him.
Laurie Klassen had seen Beethoven in Scottsdale as a 2 year old and so when he became available for sale, she took the plunge and bought her Marchador. We were prepared to buy him back as well.
As a passionate MM breeder and a horse lover, I was shaken to the core the night that Laurie got Beethoven. Expecting to hear happy news, I heard instead the dire news. “I have just rescued a horse”, Laurie said. “He might have been dead by spring.” The pictures she sent made everyone who knew him cry. After the initial shock, anger, frustration and the terrible realization that this happens to horses every day. I just never wanted it to happen to SW horses – that is why the offer to buy them back is in my contracts and we make other efforts to try to ensure that our MMs will stay safe.
Laurie, is and always will be a hero in my book for taking on the problems that no one knew about, educating herself on how to solve them and nurturing a very good horse back to health. She gave him a second chance, a new life and a wonderful family. I am forever grateful and in her debt.
We are working on making Beethoven’s story into a children’s book.
Lynn Kelley, SW Future Foal @ Summerwind Marchadors