Multiple AQHA World and Congress Champion Blended Choclate (Ben) is back for a limited engagement. Owned by Kimberly Lloyd Wright, the 17.3 hand gelding is making the dreams come true for one lucky young girl. Twelve year-old Haylee Brock recently debuted with her legendary teammate at a few shows on the West Coast. Now, the duo is ready to shine at the Level 1 West Championships in Las Vegas as well as the AQHYA World Show in the hunter under saddle.
Haylee’s mother, Kristin Brock, and Wright have been longtime friends, and, when Kristin moved from California back to Arizona, they connected again when they had horses at the same facility. Kristin Brock and Scott Graham now specialize in training all-around horses in Cave Creek, Arizona.
“Ben had a rough go of it for awhile. He had suspensory ligament surgery and ulcers that he had to recover from but he seems to be happy and fully recovered now,” Wright told us. “I think Ben enjoys teaching Haylee how to ride and being in charge. When she first got on him, it was love at first ride. They were a match made in heaven. I was so impressed with Haylee’s riding ability that I talked to Kristin and I told her that I would sponsor her daughter if she wanted to show him. Kristin was really excited about the idea, so we asked Haylee if she would like to show him. She agreed, so I leased him to her for the year.”
Haylee’s mother, Kristin, says that she practically cries overtime she watches her daughter show. “It’s like looking in the mirror, and she is breathtaking to watch. I get so nervous watching her but I’m so proud of her because she works really hard.”
The duo recently showed at the Arizona Nationals where they won the circuit championship in the Novice and Youth Hunter Under Saddle. The team also qualified through the state for the AQHYA World Show in the hunter under saddle.
We asked Haylee what she likes about Ben. “He is hilarious and goofy,” the 12 year-old told us. “He makes these flapping noises with his lips and makes funny facial expressions. He is super fun to ride and his lope is very flowy. The first time I showed him I was really nervous because he’s so famous but we did well. He is so tall I felt like I was on top of a skyscraper. I was thinking that I hope I don’t fall off.”
Speaking of Ben’s size, he is a complete anomaly — Ben is out of a small western pleasure mare, Kinda Showy and by the late western pleasure stallion, Sweet Talkin Chip. “He shouldn’t be what he is,” Kristin says. “He is definitely one-of-a-kind.”
Wright told us that when Haylee is finished showing him that Ben will officially be retired. The 11 year-old gelding will just be ridden at home and loved until the day he dies. “Ben does everything in slow motion. Life is not a rush for him. He is priceless, irreplaceable and I wouldn’t trade him for the world. He is a prima donna at times and demands celebrity VIP status, but that’s just part of his charm. Everybody loves Ben.” (pictured left sticking out his tongue)
Haylee adds, “I’m really thankful that Kim is letting me show him. I also love hanging out with her and going to lunch and her house. We are best friends.”
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