
Meet Roman
So I bought a horse.
If you follow me on instagram, you noticed there was a new addition to the nerd herd this weekend. Two weeks ago, I went to try horses at a local farm that came up through the grapevine after I posted my honest ISO on some Texas horse groups. When my trainer and I went to go look at him, I sat on two horses. One was quite fancy with show experience and a fantastic lead change. The other was tall, lanky and a little bit awkward. He hadn’t shown, and although had been started on changes and coursework wasn’t finished.
Can you guess which one I preferred?
I couldn’t exactly tell my trainer why, but I immediately enjoyed the big young horse. He reminded me of Simon four years ago, except he was bigger and a bit more talented. Plus let’s be honest – I’m a “fixer” and a complete and total sucker for an old soul Thoroughbred that I think I can improve over time.
We vetted him, and unlike baby brontosaurus new guy had 4 legs that worked reasonably well. As I drilled my vet over the phone about the few things we did fine, I heard my trainer yelling in the background “JUST BUY THE DAMN HORSE!”
So I bought the damn horse.
His name is Roman. He’s a 7 year old 17hh unraced Thoroughbred, and he’s going to give Bobby some competition for blogland’s most awkward Thoroughbred. Don’t believe me? See for yourself.
Roman is going to be more of a project than I originally anticipated when searching for my hunter unicorn, but I think that I’ll learn a lot from him. I anticipate he might be more challenging than bringing Simon along, but I’m a better rider than I was four years ago – have the nerd horse to thank for that! Plus my trainer is the best with horses like this, and if nothing else I’m good at shutting up and following her instructions.
There you have it folks – the new ponykins is officially here. Right now the only matters to settle (besides all the flatwork issues we have to get past) is picking out a show name and a hashtag for him.
77 thoughts on “Meet Roman”
You look really good together. He is cute and love that face. How fun. Happy for you.
Congrats! He looks/sounds wonderful.
Oh I love him! Congratulations to you!!!
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to read all about him. 🙂
He is darling! He has the “are you my mommy?” face down pat! Can’t wait to see y’all go!
You know I love a blingy redhead! Congrats! I bet with some serious muscle, he’s going to be hunter gorgeous in no time!
I’m really hoping he has a similar muscle transformation that Simon did. Time for alllllll the flatwork.
eeeeeee!!!!! i’m so excited for you!! four working legs and the cutest freaking face – i love his eye color too! can’t wait to get to know more about him!
Working legs are really a lot better than non working.
Eek! Congrats!!
Yay congratulations!!
Congratulations Lauren! Can’t wait to read more about this guy 🙂
Woohoo!!! So so so happy for you and excited to watch you guys bond and learn and grow together! You are going to teach him so much 🙂
He’ll probably teach me even more. They all do!
He has the sweetest face! Like horsey bedroom eyes…
#gingerpony
#giraffehorse
<3
He’d definitely be more giraffe like if he didn’t like to get heavy and stretch waaaaaaaaaay down on the flat. Sometimes I trot him and he’s like “Bai!” and there’s no horse there anymore haha.
omg! A big blaze, pink nose and a white eye. I’m in love! So happy for you and I love his name!
OMGeeeeeeee!!!
Congrats! I’m a sucker for red heads…can’t wait to follow along on all the new adventures 🙂
Cute cute cute!! Congrats! Can’t wait to learn more about him 🙂
Congrats!! Very exciting! #RomanKnows…?
WELCOME TO THE REDHEAD CHESTNUT CLUB!!!!!
… it’s very exclusive. On Wednesdays we wear black (because pink looks terrible on chestnuts).
In all seriousness, I am so excited you found a new pony. I’m looking forward to following your journey forward with him. 🙂
Fun fact: My IHSA region had a horse that made the rounds at almost every show named Sazerac. This horse looked very like yours (but was considerably older by the time I knew him), and he was a gem. Awkward as hell, but did IHSA hunter rounds foot perfect if you just let him alone to do his fucking job (oh, and tell him what the jump order was). Here’s to your guy turning into that kind of ride! I think you can do it!
Because chestnuts are my least favorite color (Don’t tell Pig), I now have one 😀 Glad to be a member of the club though!
Pig will allow you to be impartial about chestnuts, as long as you agree he is “the mostest bestest redhead in the world”. Or just tell him that to his face, whether you believe it or not. The ego is real. 😉
You’ll come around, though. Especially when you get to a show and realize how little dust that sparkly red coat shows. #groomingwin
I don’t like chestnuts either yet I keep buying them! Congratulations! What an exciting project!
Haha! Me too, chestnut is my least favorite color, yet…. NOW I HAVE ONE. Came complete with 4 white socks as well. 🙂
Same here but somehow I own 2!
Congratulations! Very happy and excited for you 😀 so many great things to come in your future!
Congratulations! Good name.
I was told his original name used to be Larry. Since I never change barn names (superstitious) it was between Larry and Roman. Roman won 😀
Having a horse named Larry would be kinda weird,lol. (I don’t change barn names, either. And I go so far as to use barn name as show name 🙂 )
I have a redheaded mare named Hannah, if only I wasn’t part of that superstitious crowd!
Congratulations! New horses are so exciting!
Congrats!!
OK, I won’t lie. I saw that giant head and thought for sure he was some sort of foundation bred QH. Most awkward TB contender for sure! BUT OMG WHO CARES LOOK HOW CUTE AND SWEET HE LOOKS!!!!!
There’s really no telling 100% since I don’t have papers, but he seems quite Thoroughbredy. He has a lot of white hairs in his coat and this little patch on both hips of tiny white spots/roaning. Maybe he’s a foundation Thoroughloosa.
I have a post in the works about weird coat marking in TBs. For example, Pig has mottled skin on his whole body.
Can there be 2 thoroughloosas? If they were able to be bred together, would they spit out a leopard? I’m asking the hard questions here, folks.
If he has roaning throughout his coat, he’s a rabicano!!
Congrats Lauren, he looks soooo fun. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures with him.
Well you know I love a cute chestnut, especially one with a big white blaze. <3 Congrats on the family addition! Looking forward to watching you two learn and grow together.
Congratulations! He has just the SWEETEST face, and I can’t wait to see him transform into a fat&happy hunter showhorse!
Congrats, he is gorgeous!
That nose is so kissable, I am sure you will have him in tip top shape in no time. What a #hubbahubbahunk
He’s adorable! That head! That nosey! I want to boop his snoot!
So adorable, congrats! I think with some weight and good muscling he’ll look fantastic. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures with the new guy!
So cute face! Roman is perfect name too.
Congrats!!! I’m super excited and happy for both of you!
Congratulations! I truly hope he will be an even better horse than you ever dreamed.
Adorable for sure. Congratulations! I hope he’s a fantastic addition for you.
Yay! So exciting!! Congratulations!
He has such a kind eye! He looks like an old soul. Does he have a tattoo? I love the name Roman. Good choice.
Congratulations! Chestnut geldings with big white blazes are my favorite.
Congratulations! May you be very happy together.
He’s adorable! May you have many happy years together.
This is excellent! So excited that the search finally worked out in your favor! Third times the charm, I guess?
Congrats! Hope he’s everything you were looking for.
Congrats and welcome to the blaze-faced chestnut gelding club 🙂
Irish says that redheads make the best horses. :0)
Congratualtions- he looks like a sweetheart!
Congratulations. He’s a cutie. I look forward to hearing about your journey.
He is adorable. Congrats!! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures with him.
That pink nose…. aawww.
Lucky Roman – look forward to getting to know him some here.
AHHH SOO MANY ADVENTURES TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
Super cute! Congrats on the new addition! You deserve to have a little happiness and excitement 🙂
Yay, congrats! That face is adorable 🙂
Congratulations! He’s adorable, and I can’t wait to see what you guys do together!
So excited for you! Can’t wait to see you guys in action.
That face!!!! AHhhh!!!! I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait for all the stories! And the new name. Do you know his registered name? Or did he not have one since he hasn’t raced?
Wow! Excited for you!
This is great news! I can’t wait to see what you do with him. 🙂
He is a looker! I’m a sucker for a chestnut with a big white face. Nothing better in my books. Will look absolutely smashing when he is ‘ready to take over the world’
So happy for you – congratulations on your new Hunter Land Unicorn!
Yay!!! You found him! He bears a remarkable resemblance to the QH field hunter who taught me to ride when I was a kid (color and white face). I wish you many happy rides and shows together.
So excited for you!!! Can’t wait to see more of baby TB horse. 🙂
Congrats! You can breathe a sigh of relief that the search is over. Now to buy an extra long fly mask because that cute white nose is gonna burrrrrrnnnn…
He is so cute, congrats!
Yay congrats! I’m a sucker for red heads with bling.
Such a handsome dude! Congrats 😀
What a cutie! Very excited for you. 🙂 best wishes throughout your partnership!
OMG! I am so far behind. So much congratulations!!!