August 1, 2023 •Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue
Meet Tinkerbell, a Shetland pony mare and her trainer, Anna Alfonso of Mitchell, SD. #ShowdownTeamTinkerbell is competing in the Pony Division of the 2023 Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge
Tinkerbell is a 2005 pony mare. Tink started the challenge mostly a clean slate, but difficult to catch and not great with handling her feet.
Tinkerbell is a late teens pony who could be Shetland with some Welsh influence; but she really reminds people more of a small Morgan. She doesn't react/behave like a typical pony, more like a full size horse. She is fairly easy to catch, and she stops and waits for her halter.
In the round pen she know knows how to trot, walk, and whoa to voice commands. She has worked around colored barrels, flags, tinsel type strands, a plywood pile, plywood on the ground, a fairly thick telephone pole, and her favorite- a small jump made out of a 4 x 4 and sawhorses. She sends, comes back, she looks where her feet are, and she's rather bold. She picks things up quickly if she understands what is being asked of her, and her licking and chewing is very audible at times.
She leads beautiful with one hand: walk, turns both directions, backs, and whoa. She fidgits, but it's mostly so she can at least keep the other horses in sight.
If you hike and want to camp; this girl is for you. Her trainer created a makeshift "saddle" and she proudly worked with it on. Fit a pack to her, load up your camping gear, and the go exploring. She would REALLY EXCEL at this, she pays attention and doesn't over react to new situations.
She's got decent feet- been trimmed twice while here, and will come with a pink-purple fly mask.
Works in progress- having her back feet trimmed and fly spray. She'll tie quietly- but does like to at least see the other horses here. Adopt this pony and hit the trails with her, the mountains are calling you!
About Anna Alfonso
Besides owning and running her own small horse farm, Anna has spent 20+ years in Emergency Medical Services: Wisconsin as a volunteer and South Dakota as a volunteer and fulltime. She also enjoys driving so is also a Motorcoach bus driver and works for the City of Mitchell/Palace Transit. She's been around horses and ponies since the age of 6 and always wanted to be around equines of any breed or discipline. She went to College for Equine Management, and concentrated on learning different techniques and styles, but mostly uses repetitive conditioning and rest rewards. A solid foundation sets each horse/pony up for the brightest and best future.
From Her Trainer
I'll have to say, Tinkerbell really impressed me; my background is Drafts and Draft crosses. Adopt this pony and hit the trails with her, the mountains are calling you!
About Tinkerbell's Ideal Adopter
Tinkerbell is looking for a home who will inspire her and continue to enjoy her curious and learning personality. She needs someone who will still be patient and work through her few remaining areas that need work, but is brave and smart and will enjoy attention and being worked with.
Tinkerbell's History
Tinkerbell comes from Little Hooves Mini Horse Rescue and had been previously adopted to a loving family and returned when life changes meant a move to town and without horses. She's been a pasture puff all her life, with no major vices and not much training.
Adopt Tinkerbell 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 Valerie Hicks