Whatawajir is known as Wally in the barn. He is a 20-year-old Thoroughbred gelding that was bred by the Cook Brothers.
Wally is by Wajir and out of What a Howl. Often times horses will be named after their parent’s which is where Wally’s show name comes from. Wally is owned by Amy and they ride with Rachel Grey at Gray’s Equine in the Texas Hill Country. He is a dark bay horse with a light brown nose, but the most unique thing about Wally is that he has a giant cowlick on his left side near his flank.
Amy shares, “Wally is basically a big dog – he’s loveable and affectionate and curious. He thinks everyone is his friend. He’ll “slow creep” up to someone nearby and nose bump them for attention. He lives to know that he’s being a good boy. He insists on cuddling before he’ll let you get on for a ride. He loves to go for trail rides and to be the leader…until he sees something scary! Wally takes hydration very seriously. I bring a bucket to the ring when we show and he likes to drink between our show rounds – he slurps!”
Amy’s trainer in Houston bought Wally as a lesson horse, and Amy found him. She officially bought him on April 1st of 2012, but she knew and rode him for over a year before she bought him. “I remember the first time I saw him, he was being ridden in a lesson by someone and as he went by I thought “he looks like fun.” One day I went to my trainer to ask who I was riding in a lesson and she said, “I don’t know if this will work, but ride Wally.” I think it worked. ;)” As of April, they have officially been together for 10 years.
“The best part about Wally is that he loves big and forgives easily.” Amy shares that he forces her to deal with her shortcomings and become a better rider. He is truly Amy’s best friend and her heart.
This adorable horse loves carrots the most. Lately, he has become infatuated with Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts. Sometimes they hide his medicine in Apples and Stud Muffins cookies, so he has become suspicious they may contain his hidden medicine.
“Pin Oak 2021 is a recent memory, but one of my very favorites. Pin Oak is very special to me – it is the first horse show I ever attended (as a spectator) and is my way of knowing that I’ve “made it” as an equestrian. We won a class in the .75m jumpers and that was amazing enough on its own, but then we ended up Grand Champion of the division. I cried when they announced our names. Sure it’s not all about the ribbons, but to me, this was a reflection of perseverance. Wally and I have been together for almost 10 years and we’ve gone through a lot of stuff to get where we are today. He had just turned 20 earlier in the month and I worry a lot about him staying fit and happy as he’s getting older but he was absolutely perfect the entire week.”
Amy loved horses and wanted to ride her entire life, however it wasn’t until she came to Texas for an internship that she got the chance to ride thanks to a co-worker who owned two horses. “I took my first real riding lesson a few weeks before my 21st birthday and the rest was history. I kept riding lesson horses throughout the rest of college and started doing barn chores in exchange for extra saddle time once I had a full-time job. I wanted a horse of my own so I could “go places and do things” – shows, trail rides, the beach, everything! I worked two jobs for two years so I could pay off all my debt and buy one. I like having my own horse because of the relationship we are able to develop.”
Did you know that a horse’s heart typically weighs between 4kg – 4.5kg and is about the size of a basketball?
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.
