Kennedy’s mom had a horse that she had decided to sell and she was searching for her next equine partner. Her trainer happened to be discussing this with a hunter/jumper trainer that was also based at their barn and had Kennedy for sale as he had recently been imported to the U.S. in March of 2004. Kennedy came up in the discussion and it was decided that his future mom should try him. Normally his mom prefers to buy younger horses and Kennedy was 12 at the time, but she decided to consider him for a few reasons, with the main one being that she had two young children and she really needed a steady, quiet horse.
The match was instant as Kennedy’s mom knew the first time she rode him that he was the perfect horse for her. Kennedy is a very comfortable and steady ride which was exactly what she was looking for. In addition to being a steady and comfortable ride, she said if she rode him correctly and found his buttons Kennedy was very honest under saddle and would give you exactly what you were asking for. In May of 2004 Kennedy and his mom officially became partners.
Kennedy and his mom did some showing in dressage, eventually competing through 2nd Level and earning a Dover Medal Award at one show. Their showing together was very limited as his mom’s life partner had cancer and ended up passing away. Kennedy’s primary job description was to provide support for his mom during a very difficult time in her life and showing was a secondary concern.
A couple of years before Kennedy was officially retired he began having some suspensory issues in both hind legs. Kennedy was very patient through his rehab and he did get better, but in the end it became apparent that his hind legs were not going to hold up to regular work. Since Kennedy also had issues in the past with a dry cough from dust his mom knew she needed to find a place where he could live comfortably outside. In January 2011 Kennedy made the trip to our farm. I remember very clearly when Kennedy arrived. My dad always loved to meet the new horses so he made sure he was at the farm when the shipper arrived. As he was being led down the ramp my dad said “another white one?” and Kennedy officially added himself to the collection of grey horses at Paradigm Farms. I still smile when I think about my dad’s comment of “another white one” so thank you for the fond memory Kennedy.
Kennedy fit in easily from his first day. When he first began transitioning into his group he immediately decided that two of the horses in his group, Toledo and Rocky, could not possibly make it through life without his guidance and immediately began escorting them everywhere. Kennedy has been loyal to his two chosen charges and almost two years later is still happily attempting to run their lives for them.
When not eating or grooming with his friends, Kennedy can most often be seen standing quietly, often in the woods, quietly hanging out. This pose is almost always accompanied by Kennedy’s signature drooping lower lip. He is definitely enjoying the good life.
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