Black Friday Favorites

By Kitson

A friend asked me (with a wink) if I planned to start Black Friday the traditional way – waiting for the doors to open at Walmart at 6 a.m. I didn't shop today but I was out early -- wearing my favorite worn-in riding boots and toting a bag of apple leftovers from the makings of Thanksgiving pie --  on my way to the barn. It was a great sunny day with a bit of chill in the air – perfect for a long trail ride on a frisky Welsh cob.

And in an attempt to continue this horse-themed take on Black Friday, I will share three wonderful black horses right here on TheSweetFeed.com.



Black Friday Favorite Horse #1
Cass Ole, as The Black

Photo by Tim Farley
www.theblackstallion.com
www.horsetales.org

 

Cass Ole was the Arabian stallion from Texas who stared in the movie as The Black. The Black, of course, was the fictional character created by Walter Farley in 1941. The first book in the prolific Black Stallion series was published when the elder Farley was still in college. The books, the movies -- I love them all.

On Tuesday I reached out to Tim Farley, son of the late, great author of the Black Stallion series, Walter Farley. Tim graciously lent use of this photo to TheSweetFeed.com. He said it was taken during the shooting of the famed movie in 1979 (chills!). Thanks, Tim!

Black Friday Favorite Horse #2
Keegan the Friesian

photo by Larissa Allen

The eight-year old Friesian stallion Keegan – his name is a Celtic word for fiery – is one of the beautiful and charismatic horses profiled in the story that I wrote for the current issue of Horse Illustrated (Dec 2011). Keegan’s owner, Emily Jewell (Grace and Beauty Farms in Carlisle, Indiana) shared lots of stories and photos while I was working on the story. This lovely horse has played the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s horse in the Nutcracker at a theatre in Chicago and has served as a muse for artists and photographers. This treasured horse is also the toast of Facebook -- he has almost 1700 friends on his page!



Black Friday Favorite Horse #3
Derwen Denmark

Photo courtesy of
Glenhave Welsh Ponies and Cobs

This incredible stallion is the sire of my humble and wonderful Section D Welsh Cob gelding, Taff, who bears a remarkable resemblance to his daddy. Denmark, who lives in Virginia at Glenhaven Welsh Ponies and Cobs owned by Suzanne Moody, is the only remaining son of the famous welsh stallion Derwen Rosina's Last.

Suzanne imported the stallion as a four-year in 1992. He helped put her Welsh Cob breeding operation on the map in the U.S. Denmark has been a national halter champion and is also a champion in pleasure driving. His offspring can be found all over the country foxhunting, and competing in eventing, driving, and dressage. This gorgeous black stallion retired in 2001 and turns 24 in 2012, but is still siring excellent foals.