WABOCA V.I. | 10 YEAR OLD KWPN | HUGO, MN
Howie, Waboca V.I., is a KWPN horse Gelding. His sire is Wizzerd who is by Indoctro. His dam is Taboca who is by Votlaire. Howie lives and trains at Arbor Hill Farm in Hugo, MN.
Howie is a grey horse with distinctive dark knees and hocks, as well as a stripe on his face. He’s quite the character, and everyone at the barn knows him for his unique attitude and personality. Despite his sometimes-grumpy expressions, Howie is the sweetest horse ever, and he definitely knows who he loves, making sure to tell them with his affections. He has a particular fondness for being the center of attention and seems to thrive off of making people laugh. Howie has some quirky habits too, like sticking his tongue out and licking things or people as they walk by his stall. He loves to be rubbed right between his ears and also enjoys rubbing his lips on funny textured objects for the sensation. Howie even has his own toys that travel with him and hang in his stall.
Zoe, Howie’s owner, found Howie through a fortuitous turn of events. Her trainers were actually trying him out for a client, but they asked Zoe to ride him due to his size. Zoe didn’t think much of it at the time, but later in the week, she asked about him casually. Her trainers told her that another person had come to try him out at a show and was planning to take him home to vet him. However, that arrangement didn’t work out, and a few weeks later, Howie arrived at their farm! Zoe has been Howie’s owner since June 2020, and they’ve been enjoying their time together ever since.
Howie’s favorite treat is anything and everything! Despite joking about him being a bit of a pig, he’s not picky when it comes to treats. He’ll try just about anything, and his love of snacks is well-known around the barn. While he’s particularly fond of bananas, he won’t turn down a fancy cookie either. Whether it’s something savory or sweet, Howie is always up for a tasty treat. His enthusiasm for food is infectious, and everyone loves spoiling him with treats from time to time.
Zoe’s love for horses and riding began early on in her life. She comes from a family with a strong background in the horse industry, with both of her parents being involved in the field. Her grandmother was even one of the founders of the USHJA! Zoe currently rides with her mother, Elizabeth, and her mother’s assistant, Josh Graves. Her passion for being around horses is evident, as she would live in the barn with them if she could. Zoe loves the individual personalities of each horse, as they all have their likes and dislikes, making each of them unique and exciting to be around. For Zoe, riding horses is not just a hobby, but a way of life that she thoroughly enjoys.
Howie has had some impressive accomplishments during his time with Zoe! In particular, he was named the USEF National Horse of the Year Junior Hunter 3’3″ Large older, placing 4th overall. Additionally, he played a key role in Zoe’s first indoor season, impressing everyone with his seasoned skills and poise. Howie’s talent and hard work paid off, as he ribboned in most of the over-fences competitions he participated in. These achievements are a testament to Howie’s talent and Zoe’s dedication to training and riding him to his fullest potential. With each new challenge, Howie continues to prove himself as a top-performing horse in the show-jumping world.
Zoe has so many wonderful memories with Howie, but one of her favorites is from the Stake Class at PNHS. Despite Howie’s shyness around traffic, Zoe decided to take him into the ring for the big class. She was nervous, especially since they hadn’t had much time to prepare, but as soon as she met Howie at the schooling ring, she knew they were in good hands. When it was time for her to go in, she was feeling the butterflies in her stomach. But just then, Pat Duncan walked down the stairs, and Howie immediately sought him out for treats. Pat whispered something to Howie and then looked at Zoe and said, “Make me proud.” With that encouragement, Zoe and Howie set off, and they jumped around the course with ease. When they landed from the last jump, Zoe couldn’t help but scream with joy on the inside. It was a dream come true to jump the stake class with her heart horse, and she knew that it was a memory she would cherish forever.
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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.
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