Louisa Pocket

Introduction: Pockets is a super fun showjumper for a keen rider. She retired, from racing, sound at the age of five and has proven herself to be safe, reliable and competitive ever since. Pockets’s sale presents an opportunity to purchase an uncomplicated performance horse that will continue to compete and teach her next rider. 

Education, riding and experience: Pockets is a keen, careful, brave and safe jumper. She has competed successfully with a junior and has proven herself to be extremely easy, honest and reliable up to 104 level. Pockets has never been concerned with fill and can turn on a dime in a jump off. She jumps from anywhere, and is happy to cope with a miss when the rider gets it wrong. Pockets is a ribbon machine and often wins all her rounds at a competition!

On the flat, Pockets works in a nice soft frame. She is easy, soft, and straightforward to ride. However, Pockets hates competing in dressage and gets hot and tense.

Pockets is safe to ride out alone or in company.

General demeanor under saddle: Pockets is very willing and responsive under saddle. She has a snaffle mouth. Pockets is balanced, reliable and fun to ride. She has a wonderful temperament.

Current workload/ fitness: Pockets is currently in light work as her rider is busy running a full time business. She was recently leased, for six months, to a junior rider who had a ball on her. Due to the riders school commitments, the lease ended.

Handling: Pockets is safe and easy to handle - to catch, shoe, wash, saddle and float. She is easy for the vet and is a favourite with the farrier. Pockets is the same at home as she is at competitions. 

Behaviour: Pockets is very affectionate and is an absolute pleasure to have around. She loves head scratches and cuddles. To ride, she is willing and responsive. She is not spooky, doesn’t have separation anxiety and is fine to ride out alone or in company.

Pockets does not have any dirt or vices. However, she can be tense and swish her tail at the beginning of her first ride when returning from a spell. She has never bucked, reared or bolted.

Pockets does not need regular work to be safe however she does best when worked regularly. She is safe after a spell but benefits from a lunge, before riding, after time off.

Feeding and management: Pockets is not your typical thoroughbred and is an extremely  good doer. She lives on a round bale of hay and is not fed anything else.

Medical history: Pockets does not have any medical issues. She has successfully delivered two lovely WB x foals.

Rider Suitability: Pockets suit a ‘Capable Rider’ defined as someone who has  been riding / competing regularly for at least five years, has independent hands and  balanced position/ seat; can walk, trot and canter on multiple horses both young and  educated. Is confident in all situations. Can handle some quirks in horses. 

Pockets is NOT suitable for a beginner or novice as she is willing and responsive. She is very straightforward and easy for a capable rider but, like most thoroughbreds, with an experienced, nervous or tense rider would potentially be quite different. 

Pockets does not like competing in dressage - it makes her hot and tense - so she will only be sold to a straight showjumping home. She loves a rider who sits and steers. Pockets finds the stop and would prefer to be left to her own devices in this area. 

Reason for sale: Pockets is very reluctantly for sale because her owner has too many horses and not enough time due to running a full time business.