FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES OCTOBER 2012 21
Magic’s new world. In fact, when the Tellers contacted
Stuart, he said the same thing about his old partner.
Sometimes, the horse gods smile. Magic, now 19,
showed his athleticism over the pasture gate, but Morgan’s
fate led her in a different direction; in late spring, she started
riding with Sue Holtz of Woodbine Equestrian Center in New
Jersey. “That gate incident got me thinking about doing
dressage with Magic,” said Morgan, who was sidelined in
late July after fracturing her tailbone falling down the steps
of a water slide. “I tried riding; but it’s too painful. I’m going
a little nuts. I can’t stand not riding and it makes me crazy
just to watch.”
Magic went into training with Sue at Woodbine and
Morgan reported: “Sue loves riding him – says he’s the best
horse she has ever ridden! He likes to show off – he gets
bored doing lower levels. He has a really good attitude; but
he can get into a mood once in a while and get a little pushy.
Mostly he’s a nice guy, not macho, just perfect.”
Sue has ridden all her life: she teaches and retrains off-
the-track Thoroughbreds to sell or to use in lessons. In July
she rode Magic in a dressage show and he won his frst
level class. She can’t say enough nice things about him.
“This horse can do much more – he has the training; but he
wasn’t ft enough,” said Sue. “On August 12 we did a beneft
schooling dressage show, including western dressage, at
Woodbine and donated the entries, $800, to Helping Hearts
Equine which rescued Magic. You know, I’ve had tons of
horses through here and Magic is special. He’s an awesome
dude. Nothing scares him. I’ve never been on a horse with
such heart. He loves attention; he knows he’s a celebrity.
It’s been an honor to have him here – he brought magic to
Woodbine – and I can’t believe I have the opportunity to
ride him.”
Meanwhile, Morgan is champing at the bit to get back in
the saddle again. Her surgery should correct the problem
with her coccyx. She models, but it’s her love for horses
that makes her special, according to Sue who said: “Morgan
has this enormous connection with the horses. They see
her coming.” Morgan’s bottom line says it all: “My goal is to
do as much as I can. Magic is teaching me. I’d like to go as
high as I can with him.”
When it’s time for Midnight Magic to retire, he will live
out his days in a lovely feld, tended by his forever people.
“We really lucked out – what a gem,” said Jennifer. “He’s a
character, too – he’s the light of our life.”
Mutt of the
month
Nelson is a very energetic
5 year old Lab-Hound mix.
He came to us heartworm
positive, but has since been
cured. He needs a patient
family with room to run. He
is a student in our Phideaux
University program and
knows “sit” and “down” and
is eager to learn more. He’s
an attention-hog and would
prefer to be an only pet, but
might compromise if the
right dog were introduced
to him. He is affectionate
and likes riding in the car,
especially to SPCA dog
washes! Contact the SPCA
Albrecht Center for Animal
Welfare. 803-648-6863.