Our Horses: Acorn
Acorn, Aspen, Athena, Beryl, Blackhawk, Cedar, Chaparral, Daisy, Everest, First Star, Hickory, Honey Girl, Jade, Jasper, Joyee, Juniper, Navajo, Onyx, Pearl, Pepper, Pinon, Raven, Sapphire, Sequoia, Springtime, Starbright, Teak, Teton, Tiger Eye, Topaz, Vaquero, Wild Sweet William, and Zoey
Acorn was adopted in 1996. She is from the Goshute Herd near Wendover, Utah. The horses at the emergency adoption had to be pulled off the range because they were starving to death. There was a horrible snowstorm and not many people went to the adoption. The horses really looked poor and the branding inspector said “If you think they look bad now, you should have seen them 60 days ago when we brought them off the range." Because there weren’t enough buyers, they were asking people to take more than one,so Onyx and Navajo were adopted at the same time.
Acorn was very small. In fact, she made a goat look pretty big. She was covered in mud and huddled in the pen with thirty other weanlings. It wasn’t until the spring that her rich sorrel coat and awesome trot became visible. Acorn was a born skeptic. She was very skittish and quick. However, she is very brave and curious; she is always the first to investigate anything new, climb in the watering trough and perform feats of escape.
Her size, “10” trot, courage and natural, sassy manner make her future as a Medium Children’s Pony Hunter. She can potentially pave the way for other mustang ponies to compete on the “A” Circuit because of her exceptional characteristics and abilities.
In the summer of 2005, the "Buckaroos" (Mary Lee's up and coming riders) began riding Acorn Hunt-Seat and started her jumping career. Acorn is all show and believes that anything another horse can do, she can do better. Acorn provides saddle-time and experience for students whose families can only afford their riding lessons. In return, they groom and care for Acorn like the princess she is.
2009 Update:
An eye injury kept Acorn in Salt Lake City during our winter training, so she was behind in her training. The next fall she started dumping her water barrel over (50 gallons) and flooding her stall, just to keep our attention on her when we started moving to Kayenta Korrals for the winter. She wouldn't be left out the next year. We kept assuring her we got the picture, but she continued to do it until she got to get in the trailer.
Acorn's desire to excel goes beyond her amazing trot. Jumping fences and joining her buddies in Mary Lee's advanced group, the Buckeroos, was her focus. Now, Acorn is partnered with Katherine Kinnison, who is equally focused and competitive. Whatever Athena, Topaz, Starbright, Vaquero, Everest, and Springtime can do, she can do better - just watch.
She has "the little engine that could!"
