San Antonio Equine Photographer | Joy the Trakehner
Joy, Fair Joy, is by Magritte, a Trakehner stallion, and out of Fair Diva, an Anglo Trakehner Mare, who is by Rock Point, a graded stakes winning Thoroughbred.
On her Sire’s side, Magritte comes from the mare family O 49 A 2 Myrthe/80 and contains some famous Trakehners names: E.H. Van Deyk (German Grand Prix stallion), Donaufürst *Ps*E* (PROLIFIC producer of quality Trakehners and competitive through I-2), the original foundation stallions of Trakehnen Pythagoras and Dampfross, and the lesser known of the Totilas horses, Totilas by Tempelhueter.On her dam’s side, Fair Diva comes from the mare family O102A3 Flocke IV, with heavy Thoroughbred influence. Rock Point (xx) won over 350k in stakes races, with his racing progeny winning more than 600k, and is a notable son of Buckpasser, champion 2 and 3 year old stallion and 1966’s Horse of the Year, with blood that goes back to the Triple Crown winner War Admiral and his sire, Man O War. Dam St.Pr.St. Fair Rock was imported from Germany in the 90s, and has exceptional Dressage blood. By grand prix stallion E.H. Rockefeller, well known for producing world class stallions and mares, Fair Rock had ties back to the old world blood of Donauwind (one of the best known Trakehners), Hyperion (foundation stallion in Trakehnen), and Maharadscha (foundation stallion in Trakehnen of part Arabian blood). Joy is of modern breeding, considering the high percentage of Thoroughbred in her pedigree, but still holds true to old world class and substance.
Joy is a dark chestnut with a small squiggle star and bird catcher spots on her left barrel, neck and right chest. Joy is boarded at Marco’s Stable and currently trains with Nick Handy and periodically with Richard Howard of Reiterhof Stables in Austin.
Bailey, Joy’s owner says, “The most special thing about Joy is that she was a premature foal, born a month early and in the danger zone for foals. This led to some hugely oversized ears she never grew into! Her Dam showed no signs of impending foaling and we didn’t have a foal watch set. The next morning, sure enough, there Joy was, already up and running around on crooked legs and excluding personality. There was only a 3% chance of her being a chestnut, so that was special too! The vet came and cleared her and her mom, and our life together began. The premature birth left her with some weird/small developmental troubles (massive ears, slightly crooked hind legs fixed with corrective shoeing, excessively sensitive hearing in her left ear, and an inability to grow a winter coat) but nothing that impeded her mind or body.”
“Her personality couldn’t be larger, just like how her intelligence would probably land her on the “genius” spectrum if she was a person. Since the day she was born, she’s made it very clear that she has opinions about everything and her “I can do it on my own” attitude has led to lots of unexpected learning on my part. She’s excessively proud, independent, and stubborn while simultaneously introverted, needs lots of emotional support, and “in your pocket.”
“She has a distinct understanding of what’s right and wrong: she’s always right and I’m always wrong! She’s not a lighthearted horse. She feels things deeply and has a remarkable memory for things/situations that have wronged her or treated her well. She’s sensitive to her surroundings and on her worst days, she’s what I call “ghost pepper hot” and aggressive, but when she’s on, she’s hard working, determined, brilliant, and the best partner I could ever imagine.”
Bailey continues, “In her dressage career, Joy had always excelled above and beyond, even against all odds. As a 2 year old, she qualified for Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Championships as the highest scoring Trakehner. At 3 year old, she was schooling series champion at Intro level, and grand champion at training level. As a 4 year old, she scored in excess of 75% and moved recognized shows, qualifying for Regionals. As a 5 year old, she was the youngest horse accepted to represent Region 9 at the Young Rider clinic series with USDF president, George Williams, completed the 1st level requirements for my USDF bronze medal, placed top 7 in all four of her Regional Championship classes, and was Alamo Dressage Association Champion at First level, Reserve Champion for Training. As a 6 year old, she completed the 2nd level AND 3rd level requirements for my USDF medal, consistently winning every class, and was Alamo Dressage Association’s 2nd level champion. This year, she debuted 4th level, was High Scoring Mare at her inspection in Oklahoma through the American Trakehehner Association (she was called “a perfect representation of her breeding with her noble, feminine features and presence to spare”), was the first horse of her bloodlines to earn the Performance Bronze (*Pb*) distinction through the American Trakehner Association for her achievements in Dressage at third level and higher, has been High Point Trakehner twice, and earned the first score at 4th level for towards a USDF Silver Medal. We have goals of finishing up the second score at 4th level towards a USDF Silver, then debuting the Pre Saint George to complete the requirements for the USDF Silver medal.”
“My favorite thing about riding Joy is you never know what you’re going to get! She’s taught me humbleness beyond compare, patience, and to always go for that 1% of improvement. She’s the horse that really pushed my love for classical dressage to new heights, knowing that was the only way she was ever going to develop correctly. Because she is so smart, we do lots of different workouts to keep her interested. Trial riding, little jumping here and there (I have a friend who wants to steal her as an eventing horse!), work out in the pastures, swim, and her favorite, gallops on the track! One of my favorite things about Joy is how much she loves going down centerline, even since her first schooling show. There’s this surge of energy once the whistle blows to enter and as we come out of the first halt, her ears are always forward. She loves showing, and she’s really taught me how to make anything into a positive, growing experience for her. We can adventure, we can explore, we can make mistakes, and no matter what, we do it together. Joy is up for anything I ask and we really do just have a lot of fun together. She’s made me a better person, certainly a much better rider, and turned into the manifestation of what true passion can do when met with equal hard work and love.”
Bailey emphasizes that everyone should try to turn everything into a positive experience for your horse. This will make your bond of trust grow stronger. Don’t let breed prejudices get in the way of your aspirations and if you have an exceptionally quirky horse, don’t be afraid to let people know to steer clear of certain things. You know them the best!
She also said a healthy, shiny coat will start with good nutrition. She always sneaks Joy her favorite treat of Watermelon Sour Patch Kids.
Joy and Bailey are going on a new adventure this year as Joy takes a trip into motherhood. This foal will be a pure Trakehner and hopefully her Grand Prix prospect. Fingers are crossed for an easy conception and pregnancy for a healthy foal!
I can not wait to see what this sweet girl’s foal turns out like! Hopefully next year we will get to update this post with a picture of Joy & her Foal.
Karinda K Equine Photography is a San Antonio equine photographer located in Montgomery, TX. Karinda creates timeless portraits of you with your beloved horses, and other farm animals. Serving locally Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas communities. KEP also serves Wellington and Ocala, Florida, Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, Aiken, South Carolina, Tryon, North Carolina, and Norco and Woodside, California and their surrounding communities.
