Spotlight on Demo Horse: Cradilo

Cradilo is a 17.1 hand, 1,500 pound plus, 16-year-old red chestnut Registered Irish Draught stallion, with plenty of chrome and a strong presence. He was sired by the great Kildalton Gold, out of the mare Brehan Lass. Cradilo was picked out of a field of horses in Ireland at the age of 2 and brought to the States. At age 4, he was taught to jump by his future rider and leasor, Amy Hunter of Huntington Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin (www.huntingtonfarm.org). Amy was drawn back to Cradilo time and again after that first experience, to breed her horses to him or just spend time visiting with him. When presented the chance to lease him, she jumped on it.

Cradilo is the type of horse that every time he steps into the ring, the entire crowd silences. People don't know who or what he is or where he came from, but something about him demands respect. Yes, he's really big, and he gallops around the field like a war horse lunging into battle; and yes, he has a really cool tail! But, moreso, he powers off the ground in a way that regularly draws ooohhh's and aaahhh's from the crowd; because how can a horse that big get that much air time? It defies reason, yet, he does it, and unleashes incredible, raw strength and athleticism every time. There is more though. People see something in Cradilo they can't quite put their finger on. There is an animation that comes into full play when all eyes are on him, some depth of spirit, some élan vital that is coursing. But, the biggest miracle of this horse is that until a few years ago, he was retired early to stud with an official veternarian stamp of "Done with Competition." Amy Hunter took a chance on Cradilo. Her gut instinct said that he wasn't done competing yet and wanted a chance to show the world what he was capable of. Amy had no idea Cradilo would go Grand Prix, but so they did. And, Cradilo has continued breeding, producing some fantastic Irish Draught Sport Horse prospects by Thoroughbred mares.
Cradilo and Amy's biggest accomplisment to date was winning the Midstate Summer Grand Prix in Mason City, Iowa in June 2009. Continue to look for them on the Grand Prix circuit over the next year, and be sure to come watch them perform Show Jumping demonstrations as part of the Irish Village at WEG in 2010.