5 Strides With: Gentleman

Gentleman is owned by the Hatzichristos Family’s Conroy Sport Horses LLC and co-trained by Tom Meserole. Photo by Eye Was Here Photography

An “interview” with the Green Hunter (via his rider, Colin Savaria!)

The 6-year-old Oldenburg was champion in the 3’3 Green Hunters in Ocala this spring.

1. What do you love about being in the show ring?

I think my favorite part of being in the show ring is making my people happy. Whenever I go around, there is always a lot of whistling and clapping. When I first got here from Europe, I didn’t really know what that was all about. I get a lot of these blue ribbon things, which I used to be a little wary of, especially when they went on my bridle. However, my rider (who is kind of like my dad) says if I win them I can do what I want with them. So I put them in my mouth. 

Photo Courtesy Colin Savaria

2. What kinds of things do you enjoy doing at home when you’re not training?

I spend a lot of time in the paddock breaking the automatic waterers. I really like to snap the pipes and make a big mess. And I enjoy playing with my caterpillar. I really like to hold him in my mouth or stand with him on my head. He goes to the shows with me too. I only ripped half of the stuffing out of him.

Photo by Eye Was Here Photography

3. Do you think your show name fits your personality?

Originally, I was called Manny. My passport, however, says Gentleman. Colin calls everyone by the names they announce at the show. He says it makes everyone less confused. He also said that because I’m a good horse I deserve a good name. And I am a gentleman. 

4. What would surprise our readers to know about you?

Colin is the only person I will let clip my ears. I am more than happy to let the guys who take care of me clip my body and head. However, I’m not always sure if I want them in my ears. I stand perfectly still for Colin even though my eyes get really big. I think he’s been doing it for a very long time, he’s pretty good at it. The best part is that he never lets the hair fall in my ears because he puts the puffy things in first!

5. If you could eat any human food, what would it be, and why?

Well, I put just about everything in my mouth. I’d be willing to give anything a try if it’s offered to me. I never take a smell first, I just dive right in. Sometimes it works in my favor, other times I spit it right out and go hide in the back of my stall. 


*This story was originally published in the October/November 2022 issue of The Plaid Horse. Click here to read it now and subscribe for issues delivered straight to your door!

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