A thoroughbred saving my sanity - Charli Jay and me

 

It started with a conversation about horses and why I needed one for my mental health.

My close friend Gillian has always been one to understand how I tick so to speak. We share a common bond in that we both lost our mums six months apart and six months later we both lost our beloved horses. My horse was a first-cross quarter horse named Ed. He had been my best friend for 14 long years. Ed was already 23 years old when he arrived. A plain bay gelding with not a lot going for him and I was told perhaps we'd get a year maybe two out of him. He turned out to be one of the best horses I have ever had and I've had a few in my time. At the age of 37, he was given a kind ending by my vet and is now buried near my home.

After destocking the farm of the ponies I had for six years suddenly, there were no horses left on the farm. Just my tenant's two miniatures and not a lot else. I was down to the cats and my now ageing 15-year-old farm dog. I had been through a lot after mum's death and with her owning half of the farm the pressure came on to have it subdivided. It almost drove me over the edge - I won't lie about it. Then the family made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Now I own the entire farm and two homes so the big house I let out and I've remained in my smaller three-bedroom home. I've got a thumping big mortgage to go with it but finally peace of mind.

One day, not so long ago, Gillian gave me a call. I was still feeling down and not so happy about things. Last year had been a hell of a year that had me on an emotional roller coaster - especially from the pressure the family had placed upon me. It played havoc with my mental health having people tell me what I could and couldn't do with my own property. What was worse was being told what to do and being pushed around - my head was exploding. So, the conversation about that and a mention I'd probably forget about getting any more horses had my close friend telling me I needed a horse to help me get better.

She was right.

The conversation turned from not getting a horse to looking at horses. I had initially ruled out getting any more thoroughbreds and after only ever owning one standardbred, which turned out to be a sad mistake due to temperament issues, I ruled ever getting another one out completely. Gillian has a beautiful thoroughbred mare named Alie. She finished racing last year; her fifth dam is the outstanding mare Kind Regards, the dam of the even more outstanding Vice Regal. 

So, there we were on Trade Me (of all places) looking at horses. None appealed and then the conversation took a path that led to a complete opposite of what I had decided not to do. I said I'd reconsider and look at thoroughbreds instead. Preferably not straight off the track. Next thing I know Gillian had talked to her farrier and arranged for me to go and look at geldings. Yes, geldings because that's what I wanted to look at.

Two weeks ago now, at the time of writing this blog post, Gillian took me up to Waipu to the home of Clayden Stevenson to look at (cough) some geldings. He had several he wanted to find good homes for, as well as a young mare straight off the track. We arrived while Clayden was still down, grading the arena so we took a look inside the yarding area and I spotted the most beautiful thoroughbred mare I had ever seen. She had a kind eye, fantastic conformation and I couldn't take my eyes off her. Note; I was supposed to be looking at geldings - remember?

We waited for Clayden to come up and then he mentioned the mare's name was Charli Jay (Jahafil (GB) ex Just Diamantina by Conquistarose), and she was 15 years old. Clayden's parents and his uncle had bred Charli and had raced her. She had quite a few starts during her racing career. All up 37 starts for two wins. In one race she came from the back from last to first at the post and paid $90 the win. Her race career finished in 2012 and she became a broodmare. However, she has only had one live foal and he is currently due to be broken in soon. A very nice colt I hope we may see on the track. Clayden wanted a home for her but didn't expect me to be turning around and saying I'd take her. I had a good look at her when she was out of the yard. Not a thing wrong with her. She hadn't been ridden for six years. I didn't care about that. She was telling me to take her home.

Today Gillian and I picked Charli Jay up. I signed the transfer papers and before she went on the float I asked Clayden and his mum if I could get a photo of them together with this beautiful mare they found very hard to be parting with. I've rarely met trainers and breeders with as much love and passion as the Stevenson family have for their horses and they care about where they go. I'll be sending them regular updates on Charli Jay's progress. It will take time - I've got the time to do right by her and myself. Eventually, I'll be on her back. For now - it's Charli and me. Consider a thoroughbred to give a home. Charli is now the eighth I've owned my first horse was a thoroughbred and now my last and final horse is also one. Aptly both my first and now my last are bay and stand at 15.3hh. One was a gelding and one is a mare. Charli is part of my journey towards getting better. One day at a time.