Here it is, guys! A thread for my Rouxletto! AKA Roux. AKA Bear.


I got Roux in middle school. I was 12 and he was 5. We both had to have a sense of humor about learning together.


We worked very hard to scoot our way up the levels, starting at Training Level!


His arrival meant that my old chestnut OTTB, Devon, could enjoy a happy retirement. :)


It wasn't always easy!


But one day we won our first championship in 4th level!

The very next day, we won reserve champion for Prix St Georges!


That upcoming season, I completed a declaration to put me in the running for the North American Young Rider Championship (NAYRC) team and got a spot as a member on the Region 3 (Southeast USA) team. In the middle of the summer we packed up and went on a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park for the championship.

I GOT TO RIDE IN THE ROLEX STADIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


After NAYRC we set our sights on the I-1 championship later in the year.

Roux was unstoppable!


We won the championship. :) I did not know it, but that would be both our last championship ride and our last competition together.

We had been schooling the Grand Prix with hopes of competing in the U25 Brentina Cup, but shortly before the competition season started he was diagnosed with narcolepsy at UF CVM after extensive testing. He had shown symptoms of it throughout his life, but he had popped splints on both front legs, was getting cast in his stall, and pulled a hind suspensory. He was immediately retired and our focuses turned toward keeping him alive and healthy.


Roux spent nearly 2 years on rest and was supposed to never be ridden again.

We took him to a rehab center for swimming therapy so that he could regain his strength.


Now he is sound and happy again!


He's even rideable, despite all odds, and VERY happy to go under saddle again!


At 18 years old, he's as handsome as ever.


There's no better view!


And I'm happy we're still together.

♥ x1000000

Side note: this is how he gets the nickname "Bear" xD
My little fluff ♥

It was great to learn the story of amazing Roux!  I'm sorry your career together ended sooner than expected but so glad you have a sound, happy, and healthy boy still! ♥

He's gorgeous! Congratulations on all your accomplishments with him! That's really great that you went that far in championships! 

I teared up a little reading this, but there were also lots of smiles! I'm glad your boy is doing better and that you are able to ride him still. And that picture of you guys hugging oml ♥

Thanks, guys! If anyone wants to read more about his illness and everything we had to go through to keep him alive, he was featured in Heels Down magazine a few months back in the young rider issue and I went into more detail on the whole thing. ♥

FLUFFFFFFFFFF ♥

So pretty! And a great story :).

You two make a gorgeous pair and your story is amazing! Congrats on all the accomplishments and the perseverance through tough times :)

Ohhh!  Do you have a link to the article?

Are we friends on FB? If so message me! Otherwise you have to purchase whatever month to read the articles in it.

♥♥♥♥

Quite the adventure you guys had! Sooo glad he's doing better and is happy and healthy!

Brb..I'm going to go visit and learn some Dressage from you! xD

He is a such a handsome fellow!!!!
I am so glad he had you to care for him

Both your boys are so gorgeous. You're truly blessed and it's so good to know he's sound again. 

Link Tree

awh. so pretty! and big! or he looks big in the pictures :P

I'm very thankful and lucky that Roux is still around and kicking...and thriving once more, I dare say!
Any of you are welcome for a visit and dressage torture any time. ;)

I joke that Roux is my pony since he's about 17h but I guess that's technically large, LOL. It just feels teeny tiny when I hop off of Sulley (18h) and then hop on Roux! He's like my little vroom vroom sports car.

he is sooo adorable! I love him!

Roux's Christmas photo :'D
He's such a grumpy little bear.