2006 9HH Grey Miniature Horse Gelding
Orion was born on June 14, 2006 and is by Northern Starlight's Bashar and out of KFH Royal Dream. Although Bashar was a purebred miniature stallion, we are unsure of his mom's bloodlines, most likely a miniature/Shetland/Welsh pony mix. Orion came to us as a tiny little weanling in November 2006 and wasn't much bigger than a water bucket! Now that he is officially grown up (at a whole 36") he gets to get to look seriously cute all day long. Cuteness doesn't go away with age. Mini rule #1.
Orion has these huge black eyes that are very, very old soul. He has been a joy to have, and certainly has loved keeping the big horses company in the diet paddock. This couch-carrot lifestyle changed spring 2012. Due to the retirement of our riding horses, and no desire to tackle big green young horses to turn them into big quiet young riding horses, Orion learned how to drive. And John learned how to drive since I had no back. Now John loves driving. Yes, he stole my pony.
In April 2012 we outfitted Orion with a snazzy cart and the pre-requisite cute black harness. We assessed the depth of the water obstacle (Orion didn't need a pony life jacket), so we made tentative "someday" plans to maybe, maybe, maybe compete in a HDT (horse driving trial). Well, guess what - John and Orion DID compete in a HDT in August 2013. And no pony life jacket was needed. And oh my, braids look so cute on a mini...Mini rule #2 cuteness may be enhanced at any time by doing big horse stuff to them :-)
Fast forward to 2021...after Encore's retirement Natalie took over the drive. And wow...Orion has ended up being the most AMAZING combined driving pony. He is now competing successfully at the Intermediate level. He LOVES his job! Dressage is his specialty...Intermediate dressage scores have ranged from 21 to low 40's - he is consistent! And I think he grows a hand in height just before we enter an obstacle...he just simply loves to compete.
Orion has these huge black eyes that are very, very old soul. He has been a joy to have, and certainly has loved keeping the big horses company in the diet paddock. This couch-carrot lifestyle changed spring 2012. Due to the retirement of our riding horses, and no desire to tackle big green young horses to turn them into big quiet young riding horses, Orion learned how to drive. And John learned how to drive since I had no back. Now John loves driving. Yes, he stole my pony.
In April 2012 we outfitted Orion with a snazzy cart and the pre-requisite cute black harness. We assessed the depth of the water obstacle (Orion didn't need a pony life jacket), so we made tentative "someday" plans to maybe, maybe, maybe compete in a HDT (horse driving trial). Well, guess what - John and Orion DID compete in a HDT in August 2013. And no pony life jacket was needed. And oh my, braids look so cute on a mini...Mini rule #2 cuteness may be enhanced at any time by doing big horse stuff to them :-)
Fast forward to 2021...after Encore's retirement Natalie took over the drive. And wow...Orion has ended up being the most AMAZING combined driving pony. He is now competing successfully at the Intermediate level. He LOVES his job! Dressage is his specialty...Intermediate dressage scores have ranged from 21 to low 40's - he is consistent! And I think he grows a hand in height just before we enter an obstacle...he just simply loves to compete.
