Macatoo Camp - Champion

Here's Champion's official bio from camp brochure:-

• 14.1hh, 1999, chestnut local horse from Maun.
• Very good natured lovely horse.
• Easy, safe and responsive horse.

Here's my take on Champion:-

Champion really is a champion.  He’s so willing and forward, there’s no urging him on – he loves his work!  Happy to go and happy to stop – he’s just what I asked for.  His ears flop back and forth very reassuringly as he walks along, then point sharply forwards when there’s something you should see – he doesn’t miss much!

He is hardy, tough and goes all day, he will do his best to take care of you.  I think he’s made from iron and high tensile steel cable, covered in a furry Kevlar.  He’s not a snugly, “kiss my nose” type of horse.  I offered him my apple core on our first morning ride and he looked at me with utter disdain, as if I was mocking him.  He's not a snuggler, he's a worker.  I thought he was fabulous.

He could tell when I was getting a bit off balance, and tilted himself to fix the problem until I could get myself centred again.  If we had to suddenly swerve (and we did, often), he would try to swerve a bit slower so I didn’t go over.  His only downside is that he’s a bit afraid of elephants, but I think that’s actually quite clever and a good self preservation move.  A brilliant horse.