WALLEROO H | 14 YEAR OLD DUTCH WARMBLOOD GELDING | SPRINGFIELD,MO

Too, Walleroo H, is a Dutch Warmblood Gelding. Roo is out of Numero Uno. Roo current resides at his owner, Karissa’s, hunter jumper training barn in Springfield,MO.

After being around Roo for the past few months while boarding my horses at Katalyst Sport Horses, I can assure you that Roo’s name fits him perfectly. He is actually a Kangaroo disguised as a horse, wether it is frolicking in the pasture or being ridden he loves to leap, and he must have springs built in because his leaps are actually more like giant bounces. Karissa shares, he can pretty much leap tall buildings in a single bound. He is a goofball with a very fun personality…oh and enough suspension to make your abs hurt for a week after sitting his trot.

The pair competes in super level jumper divisions. This special guy has incredibly scope and talent, and is alway willing.

Roo and Karissa first met on Halloween 5 years ago. Roo was imported from Germany, and selected for Karissa by her wonderful friend Mark Johannsmann. When he was en route from quarantine to the farm, the shipper was delayed and Roo was stabled in Kentucky. After Karissa found out that the shipper was going to be a few days before he could make it to Missouri, Karissa hooked up the trailer and drove straight to Kentucky to pick him up herself. “I remember peeking around the corner seeing my handsome boy standing alone in a row of stalls wondering where he was and what was happening. Hugs and kisses were exchanged and we have been best friends ever since.”

This goofy horse will eat just about anything, and he will make it known to anyone eating within the confines of the tack stalls that he wants a piece of what they are eating by poking his little nose out and quivering it until you share.

The pair has has many successful runs in the show ring including, ,uiltiple MOHJO Divisions Championships, 1.20 and 1.30 Divison Champion in Tulsa, Texas, Brownland and the American Royal, 3rd in their first Welcome Stake and 4th in their very first Mini Prix.

Karissa has been riding since she was 5 years old, growing up horses were the center of her life. Karissa studied Animal Science in college and has a masers in Equine Reproduction. In 2003, she drew out the plans for an applied for a loan to build her farm, Katalyst Sporthorses. “My favorite thing about my horses is everyone of them has something to teach me, about my riding and about myself.”

 “I remember my first ride on him. I’d never felt such raw power and effortless jumping ability, and just thinking, this is my horse. I remember our first Welcome Stake in Lake St Louis, I was a nervous wreck and he carried me through to double clear rounds and a 3rd place. I remember landing our last jump and just starting to cry because I was so proud of him. And every time in between when he gives a little whinny to say hello as I walk down the aisle or a little sassy grunt when I swing up in the saddle.”

Karissa shares her biggest piece of advice when it comes to riding and one of her favorite products with us, “When in doubt, add more leg. Nothing can substitute flatwork for making your jumping successful. And Roo’s favorite product is Vigor. He loves a Vigor bath after a hard workout.”