Hello

[Danna]

Oh it's SOOO great to have found you guys on this message board. I'm 45 and returing to riding after a 20 year gap. Well that's not quite true, I returend three years ago and ended up in a Lifeflight helicopter with half my head pealed open. So this time around I'm really nervous. BUT, that said I have the more awesome girl to help me along. She's only three (oh boy have I waited for this time) and is going to make the most awesome partener. She's 14.hands (just) but her butt is a little high so I think she's make 14.1 maybe 14.2. Her name is "Cielo" which is Spanish for "heaven" (my son named her) She is a silver grullo Spanish Sulphur horse. Next month she is going to a professional trainer for four months so hopefully I'll bye pass too many starting out falls. I was going to do it myself until I came to my senses and decided that 45 is too late to start falling off hehehehee (my hubby and kids agree)
Anyhooo, SO great to have found this site and hope it's okay to hang around with you guys here';-)
Here are some pics of my buddy Cielo
http://www.sulphurs.com/Cielo.htm

[Sarah]

hi Danna,

Welcome to Newrider!

Cielo looks gorgeous, i've never heard of Spanish Sulphur horses before, but if she is a typical one then I'm very intersted in them now!

I hope she starts well and that you have a nice calm re-entry into riding!

Sarah

[Jakes Mum]

Hi Danna

Welcome to NR :)

What a stunning mare you have, she is beautiful. I haven't heard of that breed before either but, as always with this site, you learn something new every day :D

Congratulations on getting back into the saddle again after a long break and your awful injury, sounds horrific:eek:

Hope you enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing all about your gorgeous girl Cielo

[Showjumper]

Welcome to Newrider! :D Cielo is absolutely stunning! :D

[Danna]

Thank you all for such a nice welcome. I feel at home already.
Don't feel bad about not knowing what a Sulphur is, not many people do. In the late 1980's a herd of wild horses was found in a very remote ares of SouthWestern Utah. Seeing they were very different to other mustang herds they were rounded up and genetic studies conducted. The results were the discovery of the purest herd of wild Spanish mustangs ever found. Genetically the Sulphur horses are grouped amongst the Iberian breeds. They are either small horses or larger ponies (depending on your outlook ';-)) They range from 13.2 to 14.2 on average. Like the British pony breeds these horses have been left to fend for themselves for hundreds of years and so are very smart, hardy and form very strong bonds to their owners. Most are dun, grullo and red dun but many blacks, bays, chestnuts and roans are also found. They have a registry (the ASHA) and we're actively doing everything we can to preserve them (some do AI if anyone is interested)
I was born in Stafford, Staffordshire but I live in the Oregon High Desert now and thats where my small 5 acre ranch is.
I'm really REALLY enjoying reading this board and "getting to know" you guys. It's making me a bit home sick hearing all of the old British words again hehehehee.
Thanks again for the lovely welcome. I may not post too often (til Cielo comes back from her training) but I'll be here daily reading the goings on.
http://www.sulphurs.com
';-) Danna

[Tor&Warrior]

Welcome to NR you'll love it!!! Your mare is an absolute little stunner!!! I can see why your so proud of her!! I'm Tor & I have a 16hh 7 year old TB X WB gelding called Flyte and a Appaloosa X colt who's 10months old and currently 14.2hh (14.3hh at the bum:D ) called Vinny!!:D

[HairyCob]

Hi and Welcome!:D Your mare is absolutley stunning! Is she typical of her breed and colouring?

[Danna]

HEHEHEH Tor,
you must have to carry a portable step ladder with you with your 17 hander hehehe that's so cool. What happens if you have to get off in teh middle of nowhere for a pee? Oh, no don't answer that, I may be opening a can of worms that we don't want to picture hehehehehehe.

Hairy Cob (oh what an awesome name heheheh) Yup Cielo is very typical of her breed. The COnquistadors brought a variety of Spanish horses with them to the U.S. and the Sulphur reflect that. They have a strong resemblance to teh Portuguese Sorraia and a strong genetic link to the Northern Celtic influenced breeds like the Garrano. The linebacked ones usually have very strong markings and the breeds nickname is the "Zebra horses of Utah" Some of them have three dorsal stripes all running parallel down their backs. Her temperament is pretty usual too. Most people I know have found that their devotion to their owners is very strong once that bond is formed. I'm sure hooked, I think in a few years or so I'll breed her but I really want to get started on riding her first. This is the stallion I may have in mind, this pic was taken when he was a weanling.

[Danna]

...a little hard to see his leg stripes...and those patches on his neck are neck stripes not his mane ';-)