Spotlight on Demo Horse: Fernhill Henry Juan

Fernhill Henry Juan (aka "Gideon") is a seven year old Irish Sport Horse/Selle Francais cross. Gideon was brought over from Ireland in 2006 when Ashley and her dad made a horse-shopping trip. When Ashley tried him for the first time he was only four years old, had just been broken to ride, and had just had a week and a half off because the trainer had been on vacation. Ashley says even then he was a complete gentleman. She proceeded to be the first one to put him over fences, which he handled like he had done it all of his life. Even though he was so green, he had such an unbelievable natural talent, Ashley and her father knew that this was one they could not pass up. Gideon made the long trip to Texas, and then had to make the even longer trip that we call growing up.
Ashley has taken Gideon’s training slow to allow him to grow up and come into his full potential. In 2007, Gideon took third in the Young Event Horse Trials held at Roadrunner Farms. He started showing in the Hunter/Jumper circuit in 2008 and has since been to a few select shows. Most recently he competed in the 1.15/1.20m jumper classes at both The Great Southwest Hunter/Jumper Show and The Final Chase Horse Show held at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Houston, Texas.

Gideon is quite a large horse, standing at 17.1, but Ashley was watching him stand there like a little lamb while he got body clipped in preparation for a show. He was just standing there half asleep while a guy worked on each of his back legs. He was so unbothered! This is the mind we love about the Irish Horse!!!

Watch for Ashley and Gideon to perform Show Jumping Demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games.