Kitty, Catano, is a 19 year old Holeteiner bred by Arlene Rigdon and Carol Krska of Emerald Prairie Farms in Olathe, KS. Catano is a homebred, full Holsteiner gelding by Caesar X Brystol. His lines go back to Cor de la Bryere and Calypso. His owner, Kelsey, actually met the Krska’s when they went to try his 1/2 brother a few years ago. Most of his siblings were used in either high-level dressage or the higher level jumpers.

Kelsey shares, “I found him through Joshua Tabour and his wife Eva. After a horse we were about to buy fell through, they were determined to find me another horse! Eva remembered this guy and had Joshua ride him for a week to get him going again, and then called us up! We walked up that day to try him and he really was very shy, but as soon as I got on him and let him do his extended “big boy” trot, and jumped him, I couldn’t get the smile off my face! That was the weekend before Christmas, and I pre-purchased, and bought him the day before Christmas eve in 2009! He was and forever will be the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten!”He is a solid bay with one white hind fetlock, white scars on legs, and a small bit of white on his face. Kitty is currently at his owners home awaiting surgery, however they train with Brooke Brown at Regal Sporthorses. Kelsey shares, “My horse is literally the sweetest but most accident prone animal I have ever met. He is the most polite, well-mannered boy who will do anything to make me happy. With doing his best to make me happy, he has also always let me know when he isn’t happy. He’s overcome stifle surgery, a neck problem, hock swelling, and broken splint bones that required surgery. Anytime he is injured, he is the absolute best patient. He will stand still for as long as it takes, and has made many friends at the TAMU vet school. Everyone there knows his name and fights over who gets to handle him. Everyone that meets him loves him because he is the most charismatic dude ever. He also will never turn down a snack! His favorite is licorice or marshmallow peeps! But he will literally eat anything that I eat. Donuts, pizza, anything!”

When not awaiting surgery, Kelsey rides Kitty in high adult jumpers. Kelsey says that riding him makes it feel like you are riding on springs and that he makes everything seem very small. She also says the best word to describe him is ‘overachiever.’ They’ve placed top ten in Pin Oak’s $10,000 low and high adult jumpers twice now! They also won year end awards for Open Jumpers on the local GHHJA circuit. Kelsey shared that she feels so lucky to have had this animal placed in her life for the last almost 10 years now! They’ve had tons of downs, but every up that they have had together has made up for it! Although she thinks Pin Oak will probably have been their last show together, she is so grateful for this horse and not only his athletic abilities, but his heart as well!