Meet #showdownteamrue - Rue & Alex Wilson of Split Aces Performance Horses

Meet Rue, a Quarter Horse mare and her trainer, Alex Wilson of Split Aces Performance Horses in Kimball, NE. #ShowdownTeamRue is competing in the Challenge Division of the 2023 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge

Rue is a lanky, sweet Quarter Horse mare who is in her early teens as of the 2023 Dakota Showdown. She's about 15 hands tall with long legs and a fine build. She has big floaty ground covering movement and carries herself nicely. Rue has potential to go in many directions. She has movement that could make her a nice 4H or open show horse for hunt or ranch horse pleasure; she has the dexterity and speed to try out gaming or jumping, or she could be a solid trail horse with her curiosity and courage. 

Rue entered the Dakota Showdown with solid ground skills but a very limited number of people she trusted. If she didn't trust or like you, she would make it impossible to catch her or work with her. She had average farrier skills and trailering. Meeting Rue prior to adoption will be very important as she will let you know if she likes you, and an adopter should expect to spend some time earning her trust. Once earned, she will be a loyal and loving partner.

About Alex Wilson & Split Aces Performance Horses

Alex Wilson of Split Aces Performance Horses of Kimball, Nebraska, has taken on the challenge of working with Rue and has made amazing progress with her! Alex grew up in North Carolina and began riding horses at the ripe age of 7. His passion for horses lead him to having experience in colt starting, ranch horse training, performance horse, and racehorse training. 

From Her Trainer

Rue is a strong minded quirky mare with a good heart! Rue is slow to trust but yet willing to learn! With a little time and patience she will become a great companion for someone who is an experienced horseman, and has a gentle loving hand. She loves being turned out with other horses on her free time. Rue has gained confidence loading in the trailer, and is easy to haul. Rue started off having difficulty excepting the bit, but now has no issue dropping her head and taking it. Rues favorite gate is trotting. She will lope but you have to really push her to do so! We have loved working with Rue and can’t wait to find her a perfect home.

About Rue's Ideal Adopter

Rue is looking for a fair and calm partner, who is prepared to be a friend as well as continue her education. You should have intermediate/advanced or better skills to continue building her confidence under saddle and respect her opinion and personality. She can be unpredictable still and we strongly encourage additional training. She can be a bit of a harder keeper so supplementing her pasture and hay with a high quality balanced feed will make a huge difference for her, and being willing to continue the work on her hooves and/or give her shoes when riding is important. She's good in a stall but prefers pasture living.

Rue brings a good brain, curious and cautious personality and a strong foundation on the ground and under saddle to the table. She isn't a needy mare but does appreciate spending quiet quality time with her partner. She's brave enough to be up for about anything but cautious enough to keep you out of trouble.

Rue's History

Rue entered rescue with Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue in February of 2016 through a law enforcement impoundment in Kingsbury County, South Dakota. The impoundment consisted of 33 horses, and Rue was one of the top ten horses in the worst condition. She was very thin with a rough, dull coat and peeling, very flat hooves from lack of nutrition and minerals. She was one of the younger horses and had minimal handling, if any, but was always curious and friendly about people.

Adopt Rue at the Dakota Showdown Finale

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 SJAH Photography