Aging gracefully—it’s a goal we all strive toward, but can be difficult to achieve. One horse in Florida may know the secret to the illusive fountain of youth. Appraised Venture, better known as Spanky to his owners Ronnie and Vickie Kent of Graceville, Florida is still going strong and guiding young riders through the show pen despite being 28 years old. The 1988 gelding by The Appraiser (by The Invester) has seen his share of show ring success from placing 6th at the 1993 AQHA World Show in the Senior Trail, to multiple Regional top tens and a Congress win at age 22 with Ronnie and Vickie’s grandson Justin Clay Arrington in 11 and Under Trail.
Today, the chestnut gelding enjoys life at the Kent’s farm in Florida where he spends his days turned out with weanlings and offering rides to the couple’s grandchildren. But Vicki says the grandkids don’t their take rides on Spanky for granted. “He teaches them so well and does just what they tell him to, so long as they tell him correctly,” explains Vickie. “When the kids tell him to trot, he’ll go just as fast as they’re telling him to. Once they get control of their legs and learn to keep their spurs still, he’ll jog with the best of them, but if they don’t tell him right, he won’t do it right.”
Ten years ago, the Kents who have been in the horse business for a lifetime and are each an AQHA World Champion, purchased the gelding sight unseen from Jimmy and Lisa Farrell in Connecticut. “We bought him for our grandson Clay. He showed him several years and won the 2010 Congress on him. Now Clay is showing other horses, but our younger grandkids are now enjoying Spanky,” said Vickie.
Recently Spanky carried two of the the Kent’s grandsons, Luke and Garrett, to wins and placings in multiple classes at a show in Montgomery, Alabama. Ten year-old Luke showed in walk-jog, walk-trot horsemanship, and walk-trot trail. Garrett showed in Novice Youth Western Pleasure and Youth Trail and placed well, even earning several wins in both classes despite his equine partner’s advanced age.
It’s likely that when the Kent’s purchased the gelding 10 years ago at age 18, they did not expect him to still guide their grandchildren to glory as he approached 30 years old, an age when most horses are happy just to be able to graze green pastures. Vickie notes, “I don’t think I’ve ever owned a horse quite like him. Especially to be so old and still move as well as he does.”
She says her fondest memories with Spanky came when her grandson won the Congress and, also, when he was a finalist at the AQHYA World Show. While those memories are cherished, Vickie says, “Just having him here is special. To see all the grandkids ride and enjoy him as he teaches them to ride is really great.”
According to Vickie there may not be a secret to Spanky’s longevity, but she believes excellent care has had a hand in his long life. “I think he’s been well cared for all of his life. I don’t think he’s ever been overworked, and I think he’s a little bit tough. There are days he still needs longed.”
Perhaps having such a special purpose in life has also influenced his health and vitality. Anyone that has witnessed kids and horses together might argue that the two have a special connection and such is certainly the case for Appraised Venture. Vickie believes there is a unique bond between kids and horses. In Spanky’s case she says, “I believe he helps to teach the kids self-confidence and responsibility. Self-confidence is an important thing for kids and he gives them that. He’s a babysitter, but he also makes them better riders.”
