Our Horses: Topaz
Acorn, Aspen, Athena, Beryl, Blackhawk, Cedar, Chaparral, Daisy, Everest, First Star, Hickory, Honey Girl, Jade, Jasper, Joyee, Juniper, Navajo, Onyx, Pearl, Pepper, Pinon, Raven, Sapphire, Sequoia, Springtime, Starbright, Teak, Teton, Tiger Eye, Topaz, Vaquero, Wild Sweet William, and Zoey
Topaz was captured with Sapphire from the Little Owyhee Herd near Winnemucca, Nevada. We adopted Topaz in May 2002. She is a member of the last group of Mustangs adopted for the Windhorse Herd, which are referred to as the "Gem Collection".
Topaz is a dazzling paint mare that sports great size and balance. Mary Lee was drawn to her overstep and natural ability to crossover behind which is observed in top dressage horse prospects. Her long, relaxed ears also indicate a sound mind and the ability to perform under pressure. A quiet manner and adaptability make her easy to train. Topaz hangs out by herself and is not herd-bound. She seems to feel just as secure on her own.
Topaz has been ridden a few times and is ready to go on. At five years of age she is grown and prepared for some hard work. Mary Lee prepares all her horses in the same basics, so they are solid. Then she allows them to demonstrate their strengths much like children finishing high school and selecting a college education. Topaz is definitely college-graduate level material. We hope she gets the chance to show that she can compete with domestic breeds. There is a lot of talent out there in those desert hills.
In the summer of 2005, Mary Lee's older dedicated students, the Buckaroos, began riding Topaz. These students cannot afford to own a horse but take lessons from Mary Lee. They volunteer at BMEC and work very hard. The green horses like Topaz need hours and hours of groundwork and saddle time which Laura and Hailey can provide and also benefit from.
This summer, 2006, Topaz will begin her work in an English saddle and start doing cavaleti work. Her quite demeanor and lovely long strides are as eye-catching as her coloring.
2009 Update:
Topaz is living up to her potential. In 2007 Mary Lee rode her for two weeks at Peter Campbell's Hat Creek Ranch. She easily ate up the hills and willingly worked cattle, which helped quiet her mind while building up her engine muscles. Most riders used two horses a day, but Topaz went all day and out-walked them all coming or going!
Topaz winters at Kayenta Korrals, our southern home, and is a star in M.E.E.T. The Mustangs sessions. Visitors from Red Mountain and Green Valley spas love watching her run with the herd, and later finish their visit with a wonderful Topaz "Heart Hug!"
Her jumping career is developing well. Lindsay Collins, our Brighton Meadows Lead Instructor and Champion Competitor, rides Topaz in Mary Lee's jumping lessons. She has learned to use her powerful body to arch over a fence, and her steady mind to canter quitely from obstacle to obstacle. She and Lindsay are a joy to watch.
