Rook is a sporty dude who is currently in training to get restarted and going. He is a project horse at this point, but coming along quickly under saddle.

In the time he has been in training, he has settled in, gained a TON of confidence and decided that trusting the process is worth it. He now walks, trot, and canters quietly, is happy to be caught in the field and settles right into his stall when he comes in. With shoes on and slowly building up his sport horse muscle, he stronger and ever more willing.

Rook is lovely, kind, and wants to be your best friend. BUT he is a slow burn horse. He’s in your pocket once he trusts you. And he will let you ride and ride well, once he knows you won’t scare him. Basically, I need to find a kind, talented rider who wants to go slow, build the relationship and show this kid the ropes of riding-based off track life on a time table that makes sense for Rook. If you rush, it just won’t work. Rook’s carrots are very flexible to the very right home.

So who does Rook need? Someone who wants to put in the time and isn’t hurried by show goals. I’d prefer someone with a trainer and ample OTTB experience as well as someone with an arena. I think he’ll do great on trails eventually, but that’s a big ask right now – so in an effort to set him up to succeed, I’m hoping to find him a sporthorse home with no deadlines and very flexible, accommodating training schedules. I can pretty much promise that he will make all the “go slow” worth while.

At this point, Rook is available to a good rider with a trainer who understands Thoroughbreds. He could go in any direction – he’s certainly catty enough for eventing and jumpers, but he may also enjoy trails and a more easy going way of being. That said, despite looking like a kids pony, he is firmly not a beginner’s horse.