CRACKLE E

Standing at 17.3hh, Crackle as he is affectionately known at home was bred by Stephen Smith at Elmare Warmbloods. 

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𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞s dam is Zelda Elmare is by Copabella Visage who goes back to Concorde. According to Copabella, Visage was actually found by Vicki Roycroft in France back in 2003. From the moment he landed here in Australia he was an instant sensation. Visage passes on to his progeny great bone, athletic frame and movement.

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Crackle’s sire Caracas of course needs little introduction. As we like to say here at GDP, Crackle is bred in the purple! 

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𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 is a beautiful BIG grey pony, inheriting both his size and colouring from sire Caracas. One of Kate’s greatest frustrations is Crackle’s love for mud (one must wonder how many bottles of Glo White are used cleaning such a big pony.) 

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Crackle’s favourite activity is chasing other horses on the arena. If Darby (Kate’s daughter) is riding alongside Kate, Crackle will follow her horse and turn a simple ride around the arena into a game of chasey. Crackle also loves carrots and licorice, his favourite rewards for being a good boy. 

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Despite his size, Crackle is very easily intimidated by scary things that like to sit on the side of the arena. Pot plant? No, that is a monster in Crackle’s eyes. 

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Crackle can be quite an opinionated lad. Crackle has to have the final say on his paddock of choice each day. If he is put in one that isn’t quite up to his standards, he will gallop around or try to escape until someone abides by his wishes to be moved. And if you don’t bring him into his stable right on time, you can expect a tantrum to be thrown. 

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Kate and Crackle have been partnered since he was a three year old breaker. Because of his rather large size, Crackle has taken a little bit of extra time progressing through the ranks. As the adage goes, slow and steady sometimes wins the race and Crackle is now making his presence known on the grand prix circuit. 

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Whilst the journey from breaker to grand prix has at times been a bit of an adventure, Kate shares that now the fences are getting bigger, the distances are getting a bit easier and everything is really starting to come together. 

 

Kate pinches herself everyday that she gets the opportunity to ride such nice horses, and she cannot thank Stephen Smith enough for everything, especially the chance with 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞. 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 is one that really has captured her heart. Kate and Crackle would also like to say a very big thank you to Rosehip Vital, Equine Health Science and Chase Equestrian for keeping them both in tip-top shape!

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𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 we are excited to watch you take on the bigger tracks, see you at the Classic!