Madonna’s Gem

Introducing, Madonna’s Gem, who is an absolute gem! Currently ridden by a novice, nervous nine year old Gem has proven her worth, time and time again, as a super fun and super safe junior’s allrounder!

Bloodlines

Sired by Pistol Glo out of Classic Madonna, Gem is a fabulous representative of her parents and her breed - she has the ‘quarter horse’ happiness to work, happiness to relax - she is just good to be around.

Conformation

Gem has well balanced conformation and is solidly built - which makes her suitable for a range of riders, despite her size.

Education, riding and experience:

Flat work/ dressage: Gem is well educated - especially for her age! She is willing and responsive. Gem is soft to ride in a snaffle bit but does take some time and a little skill to 'collect'.

Jumping: Gem happily pops around 60cm courses at home with her current rider. She would absolutely excel with a gutsy rider who isn't afraid to push and go faster to confidently ride her around the 75cm - 80cm. She has no dirt but requires competant riding at that height.

Experiences: Gem loves trail riding and being ridden bareback. She able to be lunged but doesn’t need to be. Gem is safe for novices under instruction and is not concerned by the nonsense of children, within her vicinity. She is not worried about dogs or other pets.

Behaviour under saddle: Gem is very quiet and reliable under saddle but she is not a retired plodder, completely bomb proof type. She is considered to be an ‘easy’ ride and a ‘non-marey’ mare. Gem does not enjoy having heels dug into her constantly and being ‘pony club’ kicked but she is non-reactive, she just gets a little tense.

Current workload: Gem is In work, currently ridden 3 days a week. She does not need regular riding and is safe after a spell.

Handling

Gem is tolerant of handler mistakes and is safe for novice’s and children. She is easy to lead, saddle and wash. Gem is good for the farrier, ties up happily and travels beautifully in straight or angle load. She is happy to have her bridle path clipped with electric clippers.

Behaviour

Gem can be tricky to catch - like many many ponies! She will give the ‘mare stare’ but is completely bluffing. Her owners run her into a small yard and her nine year old rider catches her easily.

Gem will occasionally have a 30 second look at the float ramp and then just walk on.  

Feeding and general management

Gem is happy to live on grass only. She can be ‘looky’ at spring time when the grass is super lush in the Southern Highlands but she has never shied or spooked and is still fabulous under saddle.

When in full work, Gem has been fed perfect mash - which doesn’t affect her behaviour. However, she is a good doer and doesn’t require supplementary feeding. 

Gem can be kept in a herd situation, on her own, stabled or yarded - she is happy wherever she is. 

Medical 

Gem does have a slight club foot - nearside fore. It is barely noticeable and she has never had an issue with it. She is barefoot trimmed every 5 weeks and has a set of scoot boots, to go with her, for trail riding.

Gems vaccinations, dental and hooves are all up to date.

Rider Suitability

Intermediate Rider defined as someone who has been riding / competing regularly for at least three years, has independent hands and balanced position/ seat; can walk, trot and canter on their own horse. Rider is confident if the horse is reasonably well behaved. Prefers a schoolmaster type without any major quirks.

Gem would also suit a novice rider, if there is an adult rider to support them, as she has taught her current nervous novice 9 year old and helped her gain confidence.

Her owners believe, due to her age, the bluffing about being caught and occasionally looking at the float before going on, that she requires a horsey family to keep her on the ‘straight and narrow’. 

Reason for sale:

Rider has moved into straight showjumping on 100cm plus schoolmaster.