'Phaith'

2003, 16.3hh,Canadian Warmblood Mare

Don't let the western saddle fool you!! This is top dressage talent wrapped up in a horse you can enjoy every day. The Parelli Program and the development of horses at Cardinal Ranch lays a foundation needed for all diciplines. Horses have not only been developed physically, but also mentally and emotionally. This leads to great all around partners. You can have a horse that is both talented, and uncomplicated. Phaith is proof of that.

Phaith is currently being ridden by Devanee in the Level 3/4 Development Program. This is Phaith's third season under saddle and her talent is really starting to show. Updated photos and a new video are greatly needed to show her off properly, so we'll have to get busy on that!

This mare impresses everybody with her sweet character and extraordinary talent. The summer of 07 included a start using the Parelli Natural Horse.man.ship Program. With Phaith’s already trusting nature, it wasn’t long before she was exuding confidence beyond her years. Arena riding, mountain trials and even a cattle drive were part of her summer.

As with most of our horses, Phaith, is mountain raised in a herd environment. It was really something to see this high class filly growing up in our summer pastures with 20 km of valley bottom land to roam, rivers to cross and don’t forget, bears to observe! We believe this unique and ‘natural’ setting lends itself well to building a strong and balanced body as well as mind.

Daughter of the Oldenburg Stallion, Phantast, and out of a top quality Thoroughbed mare.

‘Phantast’ (click here for more information).  He was chosen for his pedigree of finest dressage and jumping bloodlines as well as his outstanding temperament. Phaith has her sire’s ‘swan-like’ movement, elegance and versatility.

Horseanality: Phaith is very outgoing and is often the first horse to greet you out in the herd or get in your way if you are playing with another horse out in the pasture. Phaith has a high level of sensitivity, and athleticism which puts her more in the right brain side of things, but she is also mostly calm and thinking. I would be difficult to label this mare one or the other.

She's a big girl as you can see so it has been even extra important for us to develop her left brained thinking. When she is right brained she seems to grows even a few more inches!

  Let me give you an real life example, we are riding along and there are some cattle in the bushes beside the trail. 'Oh my gosh!!, what the heck is that', says Phaith (Phaith knows about the cuss jar so watches her language) She is right brained, her adrenalin is up, but hasn't moved her feet yet. Then her partner would ask her to move her feet...... backwards, right, left, forward, backwards again, etc. Until Phaith starts thinking, and asking the question, 'Hey, lets check out what is in the bushes' Now using the left side of her brain.

  This is how easy it has been through her development to use those moments when she is unsure to build confidence in both her partner and her environment. Phaith is mostly extroverted which gives her strong performance qualities. She is very perceptive and talented throughout her body. She also has the 'sweet' quality we already talked about and she finds herself content just to hang out with her partner.

  Phaith's spirit level is medium and her impulsion is almost perfectly balanced with equal 'whoa' and 'go'. She is just as willing to canter depart and she is to stop.

Phaith has been developed mostly by Devanee Cardinal (Level 4 Parelli Graduate) . Her recent interest in Classical Dressage and lessons with Walter Zettl have helped develop the talent this mare has. We hope to get some video footage together of her soon.

Update:  'That is a great mare....wish she was mine", "She has exceptional talent", "She's worth a fortune" These were the compliments from a Legendary Texas Horseman, Jack Brainard, during our recent clinic. Phaith stood out in more ways than one as you can see by the photo. She towered over the quarter horse crowd, and definately captured the praises of Mr. Brainard. It was exciting to see Phaith do so well in a clinic enviroment. The lead changes are coming along and we even got started on the 'piaffe'.