DRAGONFLY’S SPECIFICS
LINEAGE:
The mare’s sire, GUN RUNNER was a racing thoroughbred which sustained injury, and ended up being sold to a PMU barn; his lineage goes back to MAN O WAR. Also, on the sire’s side is a horse named ROYAL CHARGER which was a producer of 5 top United States and Canadian Equestrian Team Champion jumping horses including Gold medal winner CANADIAN CLUB, VOLUNTEER, JOHNNY’S POCKET AND BONTE II. The mare’s dam was a draft mare of Percheon descent.
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES:
Dragonfly is conformationally correct with a lovely neck which ties in appropriately into a great shoulder set, deep heart girth, good wither, and a powerful hind end upheld with good legs and feet. She is very athletic, has great jumping form and is bold. As for her draft qualities, she is refined with good bone, so you truly do not see draft in her body; the draft traits you do see upon close inspection, are a squarer muzzle, and a very thick mane and tail. She is also a bit easier keeper than a traditional thoroughbred.
TRAINING:
Because Dragonfly was being used primarily for Dressage, Aaryn had been working to teach her to extend the neck, come on to the bit, balance up, and round her back which then frees the hind. The purpose of these excercises are to teach the mare to push equally with either hind leg; as all horses are stronger on one side or the other, the whole purpose of this training is to straighten them through lateral movements, which leads to longitudinal abilities. After sitting idle for a few months, Dragonfly has just recently returned from spending a week with a trainer to get her back into riding shape.
PERSONALITY:
Under saddle the mare is sensitive and eager to please. She is bold and attentive to her rider and is not concerned with shying at things. She is ideally suited to an intermediate/advanced rider as she is so sensitive and powerful. On the ground, she is easy to have around as she takes everything in stride and is also well behaved for the farrier.