Meet Stylized, also known as “Chance” around the barn. Chance is loved and owned by Eliza, this dynamic duo trains with Susan McMorris at Rio Vista Farm in Austin, TX, which is where Chance lives. At Rio Vista, you can find Susan mostly coaching Eliza, and her husband, Bill McMorris, showing Chance for her in the Green Hunters.
Chance is a handsome 7-year-old bay gelding with a white star. He is a Bavarian Warmblood who was bred in Germany by Stefan Heimpel. Chance’s sire is Cayton and his dam is Alina. Chance was imported by Steve Weder, who also happened to import my Eliza’s mom’s horse, Westley.
Eliza shares one of her favorite memories is from Colorado last summer. “I was warming up for my class when a girl fell off in the ring and her horse got loose and came galloping out into the warmup area. I was jumping a jump going the other direction and did not see the horse coming. My trainer quickly told me to stop and I looked up and the horse came running right past us and headed back to its barn. Chance didn’t spook or anything he just stood there even though he was only 6 at the time, and then after the horse ran by he whinnied after him like he was saying “where are you going?” It was so cute.”
“Chance is really laid back. Pretty much nothing fazes him. He loves to chew on and lick things. We got him a toy for his stall and he plays with it all the time….but if he is in a stall without a toy he will lick the bars or chew on whatever he can reach inside or outside of his stall. He also loves other horses. Sometimes he will whinny to his friends even when we are on course. It can be kind of startling when he does it but luckily he just keeps going to the jumps even while he is talking to his friends. Sometimes he is almost too laid back and he doesn’t really focus on the job at hand–the jumps are easy for him so he is often distracted by things going on outside of the ring. We joke that maybe he has the horse version of ADD.”
Like many of us horse lovers, Eliza is nothing less. She absolutely adores Chance with all of her being. She loves his big goofy personality and kind demeanor. Eliza has loved many horses, but CHance is a bit different because he is the first horse that is really hers and all hers. You could say Chance is her heart horse.
Chance is not picky when it comes to food and loves most treats. One time Eliza got him a mint-flavored Lick-It treat and he did not lick it–he chomped on it and ate it all in one day!
Chance and Eliza’s trainer, Bill, were 2020 THJA and USHJA Zone 7 Champions in the 3′ Green Hunters, 2020 THJA Reserve Champion, and USHJA Zone 7 Third Place in the Children’s Hunter 15-17 with Eliza. This winter the pair traveled to Ocala, FL to compete at the brand new World Equestrian Center and placed Champion in the 15-17 Children’s Hunters.
Karinda K. is a Houston, TX based equine photographer that travels around the United States photographing equestrians and their horses. Karinda specializes in Outdoor Horse & Rider Portrait sessions that bring to life the magical relationship equestrians share with their horses, Senior Portraits, and Fine Art Black & White Background Portraits for those that want a piece of art featuring their very own animals. Karinda accepts a limited number of private clients each year, if you are interested in having her photograph you and your horse or an equestrian in your life, you can reach the studio by sending an email to equine@karinda(.)com or calling (832)598-8715.
Portraits for Charity was an idea Karinda dreamt up to help give back to families impacted by Childhood Cancer in memory of her husband’s sister Jessica. During the 2021 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Karinda photographed around 140 Horses, Dogs, and even Goats, and was able to donate $10,000 to Candlelighter’s Houston. These are the stories of the Horses, Dogs, and Goats that were photographed at the show, these stories complement a photographic book that Karinda is printing and donating to Texas Children’s Hospital featuring Portraits of each and every animal she photographed.
The Waiting List for Pin Oak 2022 is now open, click here to join: https://equine.karindak.com/pin-oak-2022-wait-list
If you are interested in having Karinda attend your event and host a Portraits for Charity day, send an email to equine@karindak(.)com.
