United States Eventing Association

I could try to convince you that I have the next Poggio in my barn. I could try to make you believe that I have the second coming of Courageous Comet in my midst. If I did that, however, I would be setting you up for a major let down. I will, however, tell you that I have just adopted an amazingly cool retired race horse and that I want to share his story with you.

His name is El Dorado and he is a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. He is a gorgeous dark bay with some very distinctive facial markings: a diamond shaped star and a big white nose. He’s got a little white on his right hind leg and a heart of gold.

Most of his history is still a mystery to me, but I do know that he raced for many years – supposedly until he was eight. Then, he relaxed in a field until he was donated to the farm where I work. He was supposed to be worked into our lesson program for Girl Scouts; however, his feisty personality under saddle kept him in the barn where he was much calmer, and we used to teach the girls how to groom. He LOVED the girls and the girls loved him. The only problem: he stands about 16.2 hands and most of our girls are under the age of 12. His belly was always very clean, though!

After a change in management, it was decided that Dorado needed to find a new home. He wasn’t being used in lessons, thus not making the farm any money, and with about 40 horses in our care, we couldn’t afford to keep him.

Another reason: Dorado can put away food with the best of them! He came to us in not very good shape, so it took several months and countless bags of grain to build his weight up. Once he was in good flesh, he contracted Potomac Horse Fever. He was extremely sick for several days and we nearly had to make that very difficult decision. Thankfully, he started responding to treatments and was back to his old self in a few weeks. Unfortunately, during the illness, he l ost several hundred pounds and reverted back to his old “skin and bones” form. It took another several months and even more grain to build him back this time.

Even though I didn’t really need another horse, I brought Dorado home on March 1. I couldn’t let myself allow such a special horse go to auction. As I put him on the trailer and gave our new manager, Shellie Davis, a hug, she said, “I knew he was your horse from the minute I saw him”.

Since then, Dorado has settled in nicely. He is in love with my Appaloosa mare Jessie and my Warmblood mare Sadie. My Miniature horse, Brandy, has already tried to beat him up through the fence, so we won’t be turning them out together any time soon! The two geldings, Taz and Lance, have accepted him, but are rather jealous that Dorado is trying to steal their girls from them!

If all goes well, our first goal is a small dressage schooling show in April. Barring any injuries or and disasters under saddle, Dorado should be ready to go. He’s had a few hacks around the yard, but his first training session will be sometime this week. I’ll keep you posted!

Until then,

Erica and Dorado

“Amazingly fast, incredibly strong, tirelessly proud, fantastically gentle, he is a huge dark beast that touches the hearts of all who meet him.

He has known joy and violence. Felt the warmth of children and the cruelty of abuse … He has survived fire and flood, starvation and torment.

And nothing could break his spirit-or his great love.

This is HIS life.”
– Anna Sewell