Equinox D'Artagnon (Dar-Tan-Yawn) is that horse that a rider is lucky enough to find once in a lifetime to be the perfect supreme partner on the trails.  I bought D'Artagnon as a just broke under saddle coming six year-old from Claudia and Louis Pequin in Sunset House, Alberta, Canada.  They are breeders of Rocky Mountain horses and when I told Claudia I needed a big, strong, competitive horse to ride in AERC sports, she convinced me in short order that D'Artagnon was the horse to fulfill my needs.

D'Artagnon has done more than that.  Since he started in endurance, he has been a Top Ten contender.  He has a resting heart rate of 34 bpm.  He can pulse down with the best of the Arabians and he knows how to take care of himself in the toughest equine sport in the world.  Nobody rolls their eyes any longer when they hear that fast rack coming up behind them and as he passes them on the trail.

He is a smart, tough, level-headed competitor that takes as good care of me as I take care of him.  We are truly a team whenever we ride.  Whether that be on a pleasure trail ride or on a fifty mile endurance race with 80+ other horses in hot pursuit.  I can always count on my boy D'Artagnon to get us to the finish in a safe and reliable fashion.

Of all the horses I have owned in my life, I can honestly say with such pride that I have never encountered such a magnificent horse as D'Artagnon.  He is my equal in mind and spirit.

Powerful, strong, tough as nails, yet I can put my five year-old granddaughter on him for a lesson and know that he will take as good care of her as he does of me.  Trustworthy to the end is my Dude boy.

D'Artagnon is a cross-bred horse, being half Rocky Mountain and half Tennessee Walker.  He is triple registered in KMSHA, RHBAA and NASHA.  I have clocked him in his speed rack at 17.8 mph.  He will hold a lead at an endurance race of 12.8 mph for 20 miles until we get to the first vet check.  After the first VC, D'Artagnon will go into his other gears of a saddle rack, flat walk, running walk, and his smooth as silk canter.  He paces himself in our sport to keep his body stable for the tough terrain in which we compete.

D'Artagnon is one-of-a-kind.  His sire and dam never produced any other get.  I am so fortunate to own this horse -- I have not enough words.  It is my hope to breed horses half as great as this one so everyone can know what it is like to have a truly remarkable, well-gaited, trustworthy trail partner.

Please enjoy looking at some of D'Artagnon's rides and races in AERC.  Thank you for taking a moment to read my braggin' and see my best buddy.

Web design by MattaRiver
Last Updated:  2/21/2010
Copyright 2009 - All items on this site are the property of Applegait Valley Walkers
Please do not copy anything without written permission