Horse’s Tale - Skansen Purist

As seen in the June 2019 issue of Horse Deals.

SYNOPSIS
Stable Name: Charlie
Height: 16hh
Age: 20
Breeding: WB by Puriso
Owner: Isabelle O’Loughlin
Rider: Chelsea Priestley
Top 5 Results: Melbourne CCI-L 2 Star 5th, Adelaide CCI3 Star-L 2nd, Wandin CCI4 Star-S 5th, Spring HT CCI4 Star - S 5th, Melbourne CCI4 Star-2 7th

What was Charlie’s history before you began your partnership? He was owned and competed by Isabelle O’Loughlin but after sustaining some injuries he was semi-retired. He was leased out to another one of her friends before returning back to Izzy when he was becoming difficult.

How did Charlie come into your life? I had found out one of my horses was going to need around six months out of work and was down to the one horse. I was out for dinner with friends and I was saying how bored I was going to be with only one to ride and Iz said I could ride Charlie if I wanted as he was just sitting in the paddock. We all laughed about it, but then I called her up the next day and took her up on the offer!

What was your first ride on him like? He was very unfit and overweight with no shoes on, but I jumped on him and started jumping him and fell in love instantly.

What is your most cherished memory so far with Charlie? There are lots of them! He has given me so much experience. I honestly love riding him every day, but I would say finishing 2nd at Adelaide in 2017 was very special.

How do you keep Charlie fit for 3 and 4 Star level at the ripe age of 20? He gets cantered every week when it’s in the comp season, but he is a pretty natural fit horse for his age. Consistent work helps him.

Most annoying habit or quirk? He has lots! He is super needy, so he can’t be left alone anywhere without the company of another horse or person. He’s also a biter and a kicker! Oh and he likes to roll right in front of me once he is back in his paddock.

Strongest personality trait? He is very headstrong. He once had to go under general anaesthetic to finish clipping him.

Preferred work environment? He would like an arena with nothing on it but sand. If there are jumps around while I am trying to dressage it’s a no go from Charlie. He is super spooky and will spend the whole time running away from everything he thinks is out to get him.

Work ethic? He has a good work ethic and a lot of energy, but sometimes he doesn’t know where to channel that energy. As you can see by his jumping photo he is an overachiever.

How does he handle the big occasions? That can all depend on the day! The first year I did Adelaide he handled the main arena really well and was quite settled in my test. Whereas last year, I think he remembered where he was and where his best mate was back at the stables, so every time we went back towards the stables it was not pretty! My tests normally start really well, but he gets tight in the canter and through the changes, so I just go with what I’ve got on the day.

Weekly training regime? Usually three dressage sessions, a SJ session, a poles or small grid session and a XC or gallop session and a day off.

What has he taught you as a rider? So much. Probably gratitude has been my biggest lesson. I am so grateful that this horse at the ripe age of 20 years old has given me all of this experience within the last two years of riding him. I am grateful every time I ride him and I’ve taken this into how I work with all of my horses. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and it’s up to us to bring out the best in them.

Does he have a best friend? His best friend would be my other high-level horse Billy (Rosso Asiago) because they are at the same level. They pretty much have the same training regime so do everything together. But he will take anyone as a friend really... whoever he has travelled next to in the truck or is paddocked next to he will fall in love with them.
What is the first thing on your shopping list for him? Glo-White.

When was the last time he made you laugh or cry? He makes me laugh daily... anyone who knows him knows how annoying he is, but all his little quirks make me laugh.

What celebrity does he remind you of? George Clooney, a silver fox. He’s old but he’s still got it.

Does he get much downtime during the year? He usually will have around four weeks off at the end of each season, so eight weeks all up. He does enjoy his work so I try to keep him in light work even in his downtime.

What are your plans for the next 12 months? We are aiming for Melbourne CCI 4 Star-L and then he will have a little break and see what else we can get to next season.

What would you trade him for? A 10yo version of him. No, I wouldn’t trade him for anything.

3 things we don’t know about Skansen Purist?
1. He is super spooky.
2. He is very high maintenance on the ground.
3. A lot of people don’t realise his age and also that he’s only 16hh; a pocket rocket.

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