Sire: United

Grandsire: Krack C

Dam: Darla

Dam Sire: Woldstreek

Year: 2005

Breed: KWPN

Level: Inter 1

About: 

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The love of my life (don’t tell my husband!) and reason I am now a dressage rider

 

Ares is a real juxtaposition of perfect gentleman and total fruitcake! On the ground he is a perfectly behaved, with wonderful manners. He will be clipped, brushed plaited and pampered, without a hint of complaint or irritation. I feel on the ground he would walk through a war zone with you if you were by his side. Always totally polite and trusting. Under saddle however, even at an age where he should know better, he still pretends danger lurks at every turn! 

As a young horse Ares had quite a few physical problems, including breaking his stifle, multiple kissing spines and weird teething problems. I believe all these things lead him to learn to use spooking as an effective tool, to get rid of the riders aids at times when he was uncomfortable and he now has a cheeky repertoire of learned behaviours. I don’t believe that he is bad and have never felt that he means any harm, but at almost 18hh, he can be quite intimidating and hugely frustrating!

 

I started riding him as a 4/5yro for Melissa Smith. She said she needed someone tall and brave to come and ride her lovely giant horse, who had lots of talent, but was rather sharp. Initially I just hacked him a lot to try and make him brave, Melissa started giving me flat lessons and helping me with my event horses and I so I attribute my switch to “the dark side” and love of dressage to Melissa and Ares. For a few years I had a career in London and stopped riding Ares; under Melissa’s tutelage he was ridden by Patrick Troddyn and Bex Haryett, both of whom, have now converted to dressage from showing and show jumping, so I think he is rather special, as he has frustrated us all, but inspired us nonetheless!

 

After having my daughter in 2015 I had nothing to ride and Melissa said Ares was still driving everybody bonkers and I was welcome to come and ride the old goat (our affectionate name for him!) 

In 2017, I set up my own yard again and Ares came to live with me and from there our turbulent love affair continued! 

 

Ares has world class talent, but with his batty habits, he is not everyone’s cup of tea. I have had huge support with him from my trainer Damian Hallam and also from Jason Webb. I know that he is not 100% reliable in the arena and probably never will be, but I can live with that, as I feel he has taught me so much (mostly patience!)  I think in the beginning, I retired from almost as many tests as I completed, but he has got hugely better and has had scores at PSG of +70% (even with spooks!) so I continue to love him and learn from him, as when it feels right, he is amazing and the rest of the time, he makes everything else I ride feel easy!