Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 45, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise banter about Susan’s new children’s book, Swirl: My Wild Island Pony, as well as Holly’s encounter with the mules of Santorini, Greece.
Next, they chat with Kendy Allen, friend of the late Marguerite Henry, just in time for the annual Pony Swim. Kendy is a Chincoteague Pony breeder who lives near the island and founded the world’s only Chincoteague Pony Drill Team.
Last up, Holly chats with Bonnie McRae, director of After the Races in Maryland, about DrinkWithTheStars (“Cosmo”), a gorgeous 7-year-old bay Thoroughbred gelding who is a chill dude ready to take on any light career under saddle.
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Kendy Allen, Founder of Chincoteague Pony Drill Team
Barn Banter episode 45 guest Kendy Allen with Misty’s Black Mist, great-granddaughter of Misty.
When she isn’t living her dream on the farm, Kendy Allen has been writing and telling her stories all her life. She has owned, trained, shown, and worked with Chincoteague Ponies for more than 30 years and loves them all for the very special ponies they are. She lives about half an hour from Chincoteague on a 100-acre farm with Chincoteague Ponies of all ages.
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Adoptable Horse of the Month, DrinkWithTheStars (“Cosmo”)
Photo courtesy After the Races
DrinkWithTheStars is a coming 7-year-old, 16.1 hand, bay gelding that came to After the Races in partnership with Aftercare Charles Town. “Cosmo” raced 21 times and after racing, traveled down to the James River Horse Foundation where he spent a year in the care of Virginia DOC inmates.
While he has some changes in the upper joint of his knees, Cosmo has great range of motion, is very sound (even barefoot!). After the Races’ vet thought he’d do very well in any non-jumping career.
Cosmo has been lightly restarted at After the Races. He has an easy way of going and has been doing walk, trot, and some canter with (and has a lovely canter for a green OTTB). In addition to doing some ground poles, they’ve also taken him on his first trail ride at Fair Hill where he bravely crossed water and bopped around happy as a clam. They believe he’d do great in a pleasure home, low-level dressage home, and has the potential to make a great partner for trail riding.
In addition to Barn Banter episode 45, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.
