Charleston - Friesian Sporthorse gelding for sale...

C H A R L E S T O N

16.1 hand, chestnut, Friesian Sporthorse gelding, foaled 6/29/00

registered with the FSA (Friesian Sporthorse Association (Silver Elite)), AWS (American Warmblood Society),

and the PHR (Performance Horse Registry)

Charleston's Year-End Awards:

2007

Regional

USEF/PHR 5th place at Third Level

2006

National

USDF All-Breeds Reserve Champion First Level

USEF/PHR 5th place Nationally First Level

FSH Gold Medal "Dressage Horse of the Year" 2006

Regional

USEF/PHR Champion First Level

4th place (tie) Second Level

2005

National

USDF All-Breeds Reserve Champion Training Level

USEF/PHR 4th place Nationally Training Level

Regional

USEF/PHR Reserve Champion Training Level

Reserve Champion First Level

Charleston is a 16.1h, 9 YO, chestnut Friesian Sporthorse gelding by the imported Friesian stallion "Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum" and out of a chestnut mare believed to be Percheron or Percheron/x.

He is a nice gelding with solid basics, a sane mind, and a sweet personality, and would be a good teacher. He was very successful at the lower levels, and has shown thru Fourth Level Test 1 (where he scored a 60% and finished 2nd), but he has a tendency to change a half-stride late behind in the flying changes in one direction, which hurts his scores. He's sane and quiet, but not totally dead, and I've ridden him all over the neighborhood, thru the woods, and at shows all over the state of Florida, and he's not a "spooky" horse.

Charleston is not an especially sensitive nor reactive horse, which could be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for! On the positive side, he's not likely to get flustered or upset by someone practicing on him, making mistakes, and trying to figure out the buttons, and he should be a patient teacher. On the negative side, some riders may find him dull and too much work.

Charleston would be the best match for someone who would like to learn some of the more advanced movements, learn to use and be comfortable with the double bridle and the two sets of reins, and enjoy his training. Training/First Levelish riders have been able to ride him in the double and play around with some of the more advanced work, without problems, including letting people feel their first flying changes, and their first baby steps of piaffe, so he's a great teacher in this regard. With just a bit of skill on the rider's part it wouldn't be unreasonable to think he could help a rider finish the requirements for their Bronze medal. He knows leg-yield, shoulder-in, renvers, travers, half-pass (trot and canter), flying changes, piaffe, canter pirouettes, and the start of passage. His medium trot is not particularly comfortable to sit, but his working and collected trot is fine, and his canter is lovely. He's also got a nice walk, with no tendency to get tense or jiggy.

Charleston is a sweet horse -- easy to work with on the ground, and a pleasure to have in the barn. He clips (although I generally twitch him to shave his ears), he bodyclips, cross-ties, bathes, good with fly spray, good for the vet, good for the farrier (and with great feet), and is easy to load on the trailer and travels well. He currently lives outside 24/7 (with a run-in shed, and a yearling filly as a neighbor companion), and he requires no special feed or hay.

On a more personal note.... I've had Charleston since he was a weanling. I would love to find him a great home with someone who will enjoy him and appreciate him for just what he is, which is why I've provided so much information up front. Luckily I'm not in a position where I "must" sell him, but he's the low man on the totem pole here, and it seems like a waste because of his training, and it seems like a shame because he'd probably prefer to be someone's special only horse.

Veterinary/health related: Charleston had laryngoplasty ("tie back" surgery) in January of 2007. Veterinary follow up indicated the surgery was successful. Right hind: he will sometimes take an exaggerated big step with his right hind leg if he's asked to make a tight turn to the right after he's been standing still for a while (ie, if I turn him right to turn him around in the barn aisle after he's been on the crossties.) Sort of like a very, very, very mild version of a locking stifle. It doesn't effect him when being ridden. He's a little bit fussy sometimes with that leg for the farrier. It does not concern my vet, and has no effect when he is being ridden. I had that stifle "blistered" in April of 2006, but I didn't notice any change. He had his hocks injected December 2007 "just because". Otherwise he has had no maintenance.

About the video: I am terrible with the computer and video clips. This video which I

do have was made with a free program which came with the video camera, so this

clip is not edited or slo-mo to hide anything, it's like this because it's the only way I can

get any footage off the camera, so I apologize. (And there are plenty of parts which

are regular speed on the clip too, but I thought I'd clarify the editing and slo-mo for the

cynics...) (Scroll down the page and you'll see the link to the video.)

Charleston is registered with the FSA, AWS, and PHR. He is also lifetime registered USDF and USEF.

If Charleston sounds like the right horse for you, please contact me, as his price could be negotiable to the right person/situation.

Serious inquiries welcome ~ preferably via telephone at (386) 717-0852