The Equalizer
I Remember...
Contributed by Jaquie Peters
...a phone call (once only) in the middle of the day
saying, "Mum, I've found a horse." (somehow the word was in capital
letters, and festooned with ribbons and flowers.)
...a horse who was not capable of an "ordinary" trot.
...a horse whose talent was only exceeded by his
courage and honesty, galloping joyously over the beautiful Advanced
course at Wild Horse Valley Ranch in California.
...hearing people say, "Who is this?" when he won
Medium Four Championships in his first season of dressage.
...a long gray face and neck, devoid of ears, snaking
out over a stall door until someone would stop and pay him attention.
...a horse who, when Joni left the warmup ring, would
watch intently for her return, his head at full attention, his groom
dangling by the lead shank. ...a horse who
always recognized and acknowledged his fans with raised head and
pricked ears. ...his silver presence under the
spotlight in the darkened Agrodome as he danced through his freestyle.
...THE EQUALIZER (Snake) 1984 - March 27,
2002. Lovingly remembered
and missed by Joni Lynn and
Jacquie Peters
The Equalizer was purchased as a three year old as an eventing
prospect. He and Joni went on to compete in major Three Day Event
competitions both in Canada and in the U.S. resulting in being named
to the Canadian Three Day Event Team in 1995.
Joni has had many successes with several different horses but it was
The Equalizer that helped her in her decision for a career change,
barely breaking stride before achieving wonderful things in the
Dressage ring. Truly a remarkable horse that earned a listing first on
the Eventing Team and then was short listed to the Dressage Team in
1998-1999.
The Equalizer's illustrious Dressage accomplishments resulted in him
meeting the criteria necessary to compete in the Pan American Games
Selection Trials. Unfortunately they were not able to compete due to
injury.
The following year The Equalizer was back with many prestigious wins,
including the Open Freestyle Invitational at the Pacific Classic Horse
Show, Advanced Champion at Amherst, Advanced Champion and Intermediare
Freestyle at Touch of Class to mention just a few. His Freestyle set
to classical music brought tears to the eyes of many. He and Joni
graciously gave demonstrations that brought people from all over to
marvel at this wonderful pair. True ambassadors of the sport.
In 2001 The Equalizer was retired and enjoyed a short but very happy
retirement. He passed peacefully. He has left behind a lifetime of
memories. We all feel Joni's loss of the partner that helped her
become the rider she is today.
Contributed by Cathie Cross
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