Meet Comet, a Hackney pony gelding and his trainer, Valerie Hicks of Little Hooves Mini Horse Rescue near White, SD. #ShowdownTeamComet is competing in the Pony Division of the 2023 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge
Comet is a flashy gelding with a good work ethic. He is approximately 15-years-old and 12.2 hands. He has been hitched up to the cart and is driving well. He has stellar ground manners and his obstacle work is exceptional. Comet aims to please and would do best in a home that kept a good routine with lots of attention. He occasionally can be harder to catch, but usually just around the pen once and then he will let you approach and halter. He responds well to a quiet confident handler. He has been saddled and is ready to start with a rider.
Comet entered the Showdown after spending several years in a very loving adoptive home, with good ground manners but a very bad habit of being difficult to catch. He had been a pet for several years and had no further training, though he had shown a great affinity for ground work and learning while in rescue prior to his adoption. He is best suited for driving. While he accepts a saddle he does have a history of bucking with a rider. Comet also has a history of founder so his weight should be well managed and care should be taken if allowed to graze on grass.
Valerie has been training horses nearly her entire life - she started training horses professionally at 14 years old and by age 16 was riding 10 client horses a day all summer long. She believes in progressing on the horses schedule, keeping a good and willing attitude in all the horses she trains.
Valerie also runs Little Hooves Mini Horse Rescue, a private rescue that focuses on helping the smaller equines from all over the Midwest. She has an amazing ability to understand and help ponies and donkeys become great citizens and find them great homes. She is highly respected, treats everyone fairly and with kindness, and devotes a huge portion of her time to the ponies. If you are looking for a pony or donkey, start with Little Hooves Mini Horse Rescue.
From His Trainer
Comet is such a good natured pony that is a pure joy to work with and a privilege to train. He has a willing and eager attitude and embraces challenges with a sound mind. Comet is a classy pony with a lot of skills who will be a once in a lifetime pony for his new owner.
Comet is looking for a home who will engage his brain and give him lots of attention. He enjoys spending time with people and aims to please, so someone who will continue to work with him and do obstacles and other fun activities would be perfect. A driving home who will take him on driving adventures would be ideal. Comet is a quiet horse who doesn't demand attention but greatly appreciates it. Comet would be a great showmanship horse for a family with kids and could continue to work on his riding with the right person.
Comet originally came to Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue in March of 2012 in a large law enforcement neglect case in Sumner, IA. He spent the last several years in a great adoptive home, however was returned to the rescue due to serious medical situations in his adoptive family. He has foundered in the past due to being overweight so his weight should be monitored and care taken with grazing.
The Dakota Showdown horses will be available for adoption under the Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue contract (or Little Hooves Miniature Horse Rescue contract for ponies KC, Diamond Dave, Belle and Tinkerbelle) to approved adopters through an online bidding process on August 12-13, 2023. The starting bid is $1200. Appointments to meet the horses you are interested in on August 12 are greatly encouraged.
Photography provided by SLS Photography