Adventures in Horse Shopping: The Horse Formally Known as BDH

Well folks, I’m off to the bank to write an awfully big (for me) check. Goodbye money, hello new horse!

Our XC schooling yesterday, which was the do-or-die decision day, went amazingly well. Video to come, I promise!

So the Barbie Dream Horse is mine, and we can officially start calling him by his actual name, Jack.

Jack’s quick stats are thus:

9 yo branded German Warmblood gelding
16.3h (going on 17h it seems!)
Former foxhunting prospect, started eventing career last fall.

When I first saw Jack’s video online some months ago, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Foster in some way, despite them being very different horses. But since Foster is still my heart horse, I was super interested in this potentially palomino version. I set up an appointment to see him just a couple weeks after selling Smitty, only to discover that the horse had moved from VA to Aiken and the agent didn’t know where he went. Cue major disappointment.

Then after some stalking of warmbloods on a site I was frequently, I found him again in some of the archives. A phone call, some video stalking, and as you all know, I got to see him on my whirlwind visit to VA. He was the only horse I sat on and immediately felt at home, and the only one that I actually bothered to try my saddle on, despite only having sat on him for 15 minutes. My trainer and vet loved the look of him, and I even had a local GP dressage rider go evaluate him as a possible 3rd level prospect. I went up again, this time with a trailer, sat on him once more, and brought him back for the trial.

Since then, it’s been fairly rosy. Rosy enough, in fact, that I have been chatting with friends about possible registered names. Going with my penchant for alcoholic names (which are lucky, you know. Hey just look at Foster) we were talking about Goldschlager, when a friend suggested why not Gentleman Jack. I loved that idea- not only is it another whiskey (like Kentucky Gentleman, Foster’s show name), but it also pays tribute to Foster in that way. I loved the idea.

And then I got the papers, and what would you guess his name is?

That’s right- Gentleman Jack. I got chills.

So Gentleman Jack, welcome to the family of the House on a Hill.

30 thoughts on “Adventures in Horse Shopping: The Horse Formally Known as BDH”

FINALLY!! Congratulations, I was reeeeeally hoping he’d work out! 😀

Like it was meant to be! So happy for you, and so happy we get to see more pictures of this gorgeous creature!!

Yay! I was hoping this news was coming!

OMG how serendipitous!

But now what will you do with your free time? You’ve been horse shopping for so long.

Yay!!!!!!!! Congrats!

OMG YAY! So excited for you guys!

EEEE Congrats!! So excited for you and Gentleman Jack!!

CONGRATULATIONS! What a great looking horse!

oh that gave me chills! Congrats! (and can’t wait for the XC media!)

YESSSS! So excited to see this as I was already looking forward to hearing about him! 🙂 Congrats!!!

I can’t help but feel spooky vibes sometimes too, that’s so cool that was his registered name already. I got the same chill when Dante’s registration papers showed up and he was branded on my birthday of 2014.

Very happy for you! He’s such a looker, here’s to many years and lots of miles on your lovely gentleman!!!

Yay Britt! Wonderful news!

Congrats! So excited for you!

Hooray! I was hoping he would be “the one”.

oooooh chills!!!!! love it, welcome home Jack!!! can’t wait to get to know him!!

Oh my god, the name thing is just uncanny! I’m so happy that he worked out and I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures! ❤

Yay! So excited for you! Gentleman Jack is definitely a great name, and I know a couple who took ammy riders on fun adventures, so he’s definitely in good company!

WAIT HIS NAME IS ACTUALLY GENTLEMAN JACK?! That is crazy and obviously it was meant to be!! I’m so excited for you, congratulations!!

Awesome news!

Congrats!

Britt, He Is gorgeous. My first, and only, horse was a palomino. Nothing like this one though. Gentleman Jack looks like a very special horse. I always enjoy seeing your photos and reading your horse stories. Good luck in the future with your beautiful golden boy!