Spotlight on Demo Horse: Rebel's Run

Rebel's Run is a 16 hand grey 9-year-old Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse gelding. It has been said that Rebel was born to jump! His sire, Rebel Yell, is by Glenagyle Rebel out of Neaptide, by Seacrest. His grand sire was a Grade A show jumper and successful stallion, before being exported to Zimbabwe, where he was the champion sport horse stallion in “98.” His grandmother is by Seacrest, one of the top show jumping stallions in Ireland and sire of “Cruising.” Rebel’s Run’s dam is Gala Rose, a thoroughbred mare who was off the track, having won 10 races.

Rebel was bred and raised by Gayle Sheahen of Irish Ridge Farm. Gayle originally envisioned Rebel to be her retirement horse, but he excelled so well in competition, she had to see how far he could go. Rebel's professional training began in 2006 with Carlie Beisel, and they placed first in eventing Beginner Novice his second time out. Carlie and Gayle agreed that Rebel's passion was jumping with a "10" jump, so he began focusing on Hunter/Jumper. After six month, Carlie recommended Rebel begin training with Mike and Heather Bonham. The Bonham's daughter, Kels, rode Rebel first at the 2007 Hits Desert Circuit in Palm Spring, California, and ended the season in Syracuse, New York at the Maclay Finals, where Rebel was the youngest horse there. In 2008, he competed in his first Grand Prix at Lake St Louis. That fall Kels said goodbye to Rebel and went on to Harrisburg, PA where she competed against 274 riders to win the 2008 Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. Rebel headed north to the Fall Harvest show in Minnesota to meet his new owner Emma.Awards
6 yr Old Young Jumpers Championship Midwest League in Lexington KY. 5th place
2007 USEF/USHJD Zone Horse of the Year 5th place
2008 USEF/USHJD Zone Horse of the Year 4th place
2008 Ranked National points 64th for USEF Jr Jumper
Irish Draught Society Year End Awards
2006 Hunter Reserve Championship
2007 Jumping I Reserve Championship
2007 Jumping II Championship
2008 Jumping I Reserve Championship
2008 Jumping II Championship
It was at the Minnesota Harvest Horse Show that Rebel found current owner/rider, Emma Wexler. Emma was 10-years-old at the time. Since teaming up, Emma has ridden him very successfully in the hunter jumper arena. Last year, Emma won the IDHSNA year-end award for Hunter I. She also won the 2009 Minnesota Hunter Jumper Association Best Child Rider award. Since February, they have begun competing at the show jumping level. Right now, they’re competing at levels 0 and 1 and having a great time! Emma is definitely finding her way in show jumping since she made the transition from hunters. Emma and Rebel are beyond excited and working very hard to prepare for their jumping demonstrations in conjunction with the Irish Village at the World Equestrian Games this fall!