Denny was famous and his expansive resume boasted the highest of accolades; Horse of the Year at Devon…twice, the winners circle at the Maclay Finals, a successful international career, and championships too numerous to list. He was also very valuable, and with such ascendancy, was treated like royalty, groomed and maintained meticulously, and wrapped with the greatest of care on all of his numerous travels.

Denny arrived at Red Bucket in May of 2017. He was unwrapped, unsound, and unwanted. The once celebrated Dutch Warmblood stepped off of the trailer with the resignation of the falsely accused, seeming to know that he had fallen from grace. His step had lost the confident swagger that had defined his notoriety, his coat no longer bloomed with the luster of forethought, and through his down turned eye we glimpsed a broken heart.

Our team embraced Denny immediately and he was introduced to his enrichment plan and he soon made friends with Acteur, Clyde, and Scion. He grazed and socialized during the day and enjoyed a bedded stall, fragrant hay, and extra TLC and treats by night. With the rhythm of happy days and the assurance of safety and love, Denny’s flower slowly opened and his magnanimous personality, sweet tooth, and rascal-like behavior emerged.

We received an email with a subject line: Denny Was My Horse of a Lifetime, written by a young woman Jenny, who had owned Denny at the height of his career 11 years prior. Because the circle of life can sometimes bring the gift of true completeness, we were overwhelmed to receive a request from Jenny to adopt Denny, and bring him home, forever to the farm that he had grown up on. In June, Denny will be carefully wrapped and will fly home…first class, once again treasured and wanted.