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FROM PAUPER TO PRINCE

KNIGHT OF IDOL

Years ago just outside a small town in Northwest Ohio, lived a very successful business man. One tragic day this man was crippled in a car accident. From that day on, he was confined to a wheel chair, paralyzed from the neck down. He had a love for horses and enjoyed watching their movements, grace and beauty. This man sent a hired hand out in search for purebred bred mares to lease. His goal was to have two Arabian and two Morgan foals born on his farm.

Every day he would have his nurse wheel him out to watch his four little beauties. From this paralyzed state he could see all was well kept, entrusted his hired help and care takers to tend to all the needs of himself and the farm. As time passed, his health began to fail, it was difficult for him to monitor the farm, he was confined to his bed. With this confinement he was unaware of the quick decline of buildings, fences and the horses. Finally, family and friends made him aware of what was happening, he knew that without his constant supervision his horses would suffer. In despair, knowing his health was not going to improve. He contacted a trusted friend to help him find good loving homes for his horses.

At that time, the past seven months for my own family had been devastating. There was enough to handle with the recovery of my sons, from their car accident. Many hours of rehabilitation and adjustments had taken place in our own life style. The furthest thing from my mind was adding more horses to our already stressed lives.

In October of 1995, I received a phone call from a friend who told me of the paralyzed man and his dilemma. She wanted me to go look at the two young Arabians. Curiosity got the best of me, so I agreed, keeping in mind there was no way I could afford to take on any more responsibilities, however thinking I could possibly help in finding homes for the Arabians.

That day when we arrived the owners son met us. He was assigned to show the horses. He informed us, he did not have much of an interest in horses and did not know much about them. The physical condition of the horses was sad, extremely under nourished, dehydrated, with matted mane and tails. The owners son had no idea of the last time they had been vaccinated or treated for parasites.

In the front lot were two fillies, Arabian and a Morgan both two and a half years old, and a mare that was half Arabian/Quarter Horse. Hidden away in the barn was a Morgan colt, the same age of the fillies. When questioned why the colt was in the barn, he replied, ?He keeps jumping the fence and getting in with the fillies and mare.? As my friends were riding the older mare, I noticed in the back lot another horse we were not told about. Questioning the owners son about that horse and why he did not show us that one. He remarked, ?Oh you don?t want him, that?s Wild Thing. No one can get near him and he will hurt you.? My curiosity got the best of me, something was drawing me to this scraggly looking ?Wild Thing?. As I approached the fence line the owners son, warned me to stay away from the fence. Not listening to these warnings. I proceeded to the fence line anyway. My husband informed the young man of the mistake he just made, now his wife was challenged.

Arriving at the fence line I whistled, Wild Thing pinned his hears, stomped and snorted. He acted like a bull getting ready for a fight. Now I was really challenged, turning my back to him, waiting patiently, Wild Thing became curious. He approached slowly, watching me carefully, stopping, pawing and snorting. Turning my head slowly just enough to see where he was I never turned my body completely around, until he was approximately three feet away from the fence row. Slowly turning around, our eyes met, there was something in his eyes, the same curiosity and intrigue that I had. I felt an overwhelming connection with this young colt. I saw a sadness in his eyes, begging me to take him home. He moved closer, keeping my hands down, not wanting to threaten him in any way, I was able to blow my breath in his nostril. Noticing that I was now not a threat to him, Wild Thing remained calm. Slowly reaching up to his face with the back of my hand, he smelled it, then allowed me to touch his face and then his neck. My husband sent the owners son for a lead rope, and within minutes I was leading Wild Thing around the barn yard. My heart melted, I knew this was meant to be, somehow Wild Thing had to come home with me. Negotiations began with the owner, a deal was made. That day we bought both the Arabian filly and colt (Wild Thing). Knowing that their foal papers had been lost, they were not yet blood typed and registered with the Arabian Horse Registry. The owner of the farm did however give me the proper information to contact their sire and dam owners.

My husband and I contacted the sire and dam owners, who were saddened to find out what had happened to the two foals. They were however happy to hear that both young Arabians were in good homes. The were very anxious to meet us and get the papers properly filed. We took a trip out of state to meet both owners and toured their farms. Luckily they lived in the same community and were friends. Being over two years old, it was quite an expensive endeavor blood typing and registering our two new Arabians. It was worth it!

That winter was hard and cold. In order for my two new starved Arabians to survive they needed a lot of care and medical attention. The filly?s (Fatema) health did not improve as expected. That first winter was a difficult for Fatema (Idol x Natallah), thankfully she survived. The following March, still extremely boney in the hips, her barrel became bloated with apparent movement. Calling my Veterinarian to the farm for a complete assessment and remembering the Morgan colt who kept jumping the fence at her previous home and hoping that she was not bred. With a quick examination there was no question about it, Fatema was in foal, guessing a delivery date sometime in late July. All her nutrition was going to the foal. Now I had a new concern, Fatema also had a heart murmur and with her current condition there was the possibility of loosing not only her but the foal. A new plan of action was taken in her feed and vitamins taking great strides in her care. To our surprise three months before our tentative date Fatema delivered a very small but healthy colt in mid April. After the colt was born it was not long before Fatema?s physical condition improved quickly.

It took most of the winter for Wild Thing?s physical condition to improve, however it was quick compared to Fatema?s. Becoming healthy and strong, his personality started peaking through and he realized he was a stallion. He became a hand full, but refusing to give up, I spent all winter working only on ground manners, giving praise often. By the time spring came we developed a friendship, becoming closer every day. The name Wild Thing was changed it to, Knight of Idol (Idol LTD x Harmony Jasmone).

I took a lot of ridicule with the decision to keep Knight a stallion. Never really being around Stallions and only owning mares or geldings. I was told taking a stallion out in the public is not done. Stallions are kept on their ranches or farms for breeding purposes. The only time you would see one at a horse show was in a special Stallion class, which were rare. Another strike against us was his breed, Arabians were not popular here in Northwest Ohio. Taking on such a task it soon became rumored, that I was just as crazy as those Arabians. However having encouragement from family, friends, and aquantinences who owned Arabians helped me tremendously.

In that first few year, I took it slow with Knight, teaching him to breed on command, and trail riding through the park. Time was short for me because I was a 4-H advisor, drill team director, and Gymkhana instructor. The second year Knight became my lesson horse giving riding lessons to beginner riders. He had become a gentleman and a great baby sitter. I began taking him to my 4-H work sessions at our county fair grounds, and he accompanied me in the weekly lessons. Even though he was well mannered and behaved better than most of the other horses in attendance, fear of a stallion overwhelmed the horse community. Politics took over and I was forced to leave Knight at home, by not only the county extention office, but the fair board. I was not allowed to take him on the fair grounds where 4-H members were in attendance. However, I was permitted to take him to the county fair for competition and open shows. Not being able to take him was devastating for me, I used him in the 4-H instruction, and the drill team practices. I tried to fight this new rule and with little hope of winning, resigned as a 4-H advisor. In the long run this became a blessing, having more time to spend with Knight.

Our first weekend trail ride together was held in a neighboring county. A equestrian riding center on the outskirts of Oak Openings Meto Park, with hundreds of acres of horse trails. The riding center also had a show arena and was a non profit organization where 4-H and open shows are held every weekend along with primitive camping. The trail ride was with my old 4-H club, that my children were still members. Knight of course was a gentleman and several of the thirty two 4-H members took turns riding him. They all loved him and most of them wished their horses were as well mannered, as Knight. The horses did not have a barn or stable to stay in overnight, but are tied to horse trailers or a line stretched between trees.

After dinner that first night, two of my lady friends and I decided to go out on the trails for a nice relaxing ride. The time got away from us and we were not paying attention how to far away from camp we had traveled and it was becoming dark quickly. As darkness grew we were still deep in the forest, unable to see the trail. We would get a glimmer of moon light every so often to help us out in our direction. When we approached the first fork in the trail, it was hard to determine which direction to take. When one was chosen, Knight became agitated and did not want to continue down that trail. My two friends insisted on continuing, I told them that I did not feel comfortable with their decision and would stay at the fork for a few minutes to settle my horse. When I turned Knight toward the other direction, he became relaxed. I called out to the other two informing them that it was the wrong direction because I trusted Knights instincts and I was going to wait there. It wasn?t long before the other two ladies returned. Not too far down the trail they had found a lake. At this point they decided to trust Knights instincts. I dropped my reins and instructed him to take us back to camp. Two hours later just outside of camp we met the search party, also returning to camp, with out us. My two lady friends both riding Quarter Horses, told everyone how that Arabian had brought us back to camp safely.

That night apprehensive about leaving Knight tied to the trailer all night. I parked my horse trailer next to the camper and he was tied just outside the window where I was sleeping, so I could easily check on him in case he would get nervous in the night. About 4:00 a.m. I woke up and heard a disturbance, the other horses (mares) were calling out to my young stallion. Knight of course were answering back to these beauties in hopes of fulfilling his destiny. Looking out the camper window I could see that he was still fastened to the trailer with his quick release trailer tie. Speaking to him in a firm voice, I reminded him of his manners, and to knock it off. I was just starting to drift off when a noise came from just outside of the window and then a feeling of warm breath on my face. When I looked out the window I could not believe my eyes, Knight had unhooked his quick release tie and was standing outside with his nose was pushed against the window. As soon as he had my attention he let out a low moan. I asked him, ?What are you doing?? He dropped his head and whimpered, as it to say, ?I was tempted, but I was good.? Quickly I sprinted out of the camper and to Knight who was still standing in the same spot, head lowered in shame, waiting for me to come and put him back where he belonged. Tying him this time more securely and praising him for being a good boy. I returned to the camper to try and get some sleep. I could see there were a hand full of 4-H members standing at the front of my camper who was awaken by my sudden sprint outside. Amazed by this stallion who told on himself, their laughter spread like a wild fire through camp and there was no hope of sleeping for the rest of the night.

The following summer, Knight and I would spend most of our time together, attending open shows, competing mostly in Gymkhana, and trail riding through the park. At that time I had no interest in showing Western Pleasure or Equitation, as it was boring. The thrill of a speed classes is exhilarating, with no politics in the show ring, just you against the clock and other competitors. It didn?t take long for me to realize that at these Gymkhana shows there were mostly Quarter Horses. Not many mare owners in those circuits interested in breeding to an Arabian. In order to promote him properly, I decided the time had come for us to learn Pleasure and Equitation. Learning together, showing locally, mostly at 4-H and open horse shows under Quarter Horse judges. At first we tried to keep a low profile, for there was still a fear of stallions. Because of his good manners many of our competitors did not realize Knight?s gender. It became real funny when some of the judges do not notice. However it did not take long for Knight to be noticed, he had become quite popular and an entertainer in the show ring. Now I hear people say, ?Here comes that lady and her Arabian stallion?.

Knight loves attention and especially laughter. Some of his antics have gotten our placing lowered or even gotten us disqualified in several classes. It mostly happens at the Harry Hughes Equestrian Center, there are bleachers on one side of the show arena. If Knight sees that he has an audience he will start entertaining, first with a moan or grunt. When the laughter would begin, not only would his moaning get extremely loud but he will sometimes turn sideways, hop and work his tongue over the bit dangling out on the side of his audience twisting it in circles. After passing his audience, he replaced his tongue, turns professional again and gets back to business, until the next round past the stands. I have to plead with the audience not to laugh at him, if they remain quiet and do not show him attention, Mr. Personality behaves himself, usually placing in the top three in the class.

Mr. Personality will also attempt to get the attention of other mares at horse shows. I can tell by the way he is breathing or picks his head up looking with eyes wide open, what is on his mind. On that first sign I will say to him, in a firm low voice, "Don't even think about it, no looking, you know better". He will drop his head very low and pout.

In 1999 Knight began to prove himself not only as versatile but he is now accepted in our county. I am now allowed to teach and ride him with the 4-H members during work sessions at our county fair grounds. Knight of Idol is known as the Versatile Arabian, placing in many events including Western, Hunt Seat, Trail, Reining, Gymkhana, Team Competitions as well as winning over all high points and reserve championships. His desire to please is exhilarating and he just keeps going, whether we start showing in Pleasure and finish the day at a barrel show, two hours down the road. He really enjoys the consistent change and does not get burned out or ring sour with one type of showing. Each day is a new adventure for both of us. Knight and I have become very close, there is a mutual respect and a bonding love between us that will always be.

Tina Willison Saeger

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