JASPER | 15 YEAR OLD THOROUGHBRED | SPRINGFIELD,MO

Jasper is a 15 year old Thoroughbred that is owned by Katalyst Sporthorses in Fair Grove, MO.

Jasper is a one of a kind horse and he has been the teacher for so many students over his years with Katalyst Sporthorses. Under the direction of both Karissa Kassidy, and assistant trainer Chelase Landes he has shuffled his way around the arena teaching beginners, trying to convince them that they are trotting when really he is just walking with some pep in his step, and he faithfully packs around more advanced riders and even though he much prefers to shuffle and around instead of actually work. I have been witness to many of Jaspers lesson and watched both young and old riders share excitement as they accomplish their goals on Jasper.

One of my favorite memories of watching Jasper in a lesson was when Chelsea was teaching a lesson just a few weeks back. Jasper’s rider was going around at the trot when he decided he was bored, and wanted to get onto the canter work. So he picked up his very slow rocking horse canter just before his rider was about to trot over a couple of ground poles, and to her surprise, Jasper ended up hopping over the ground poles. The expression on his riders face as she stopped him after the poles was priceless, she was giggling and smiling ear to ear. When Chelsea let her know that she had indeed just “jumped” over the pole she was even more excited as she had hoped to one day jump but didn’t expect to experience that feeling on that very day. Getting to be there and see her excitement was absolutely incredible!