Meet the noticed banana-loving horse on the Paris Paralympics

One horse that has stuck our eye on the Paris Paralympics is El Colorado, the banana-loving Dutch appaloosa who used to be previously a breeding stallion. Canada’s Jody Schloss is competing at her 3rd Paralympics, her first with the 16hh 15-year-old gelding.

Jody purchased El Colorado, recognized at house as Denver, in March 2023, having attempted him and recognized from the off that he used to be the pony for her.

“He used to be the primary horse I attempted. He used to be so just right, and I mentioned ‘I would like this horse’. My trainer mentioned I couldn’t purchase the primary I noticed so we went to Florida and checked out loads extra, however I mentioned ‘I would like El Colorado!’,” mentioned Jody.

“He used to be a breeding stallion ahead of. He’s unique having a look and he’s the sort of just right horse, I’ve the sort of nice courting with him.”

El Colorado is by way of Hannoverian stallion San Remo – who used to be ridden by way of Edward Gal as a tender horse and in addition grew to become his hooves to para dressage – and out of appaloosa mare Sheeza, who’s by way of Knabstrupper stallion Sonny Af Hojmark and out of Dutch appaloosa mare Penny.

Jody, who sustained a mind damage in 1996 when she used to be in a automotive twist of fate and has since printed a poetry e-book about her existence, used to be overjoyed with Denver’s efficiency. The pair scored 66.38% within the person Grade I take a look at this afternoon (3 September).

“I used to be so inspired with my horse,” she mentioned. “I used to be more than pleased with how neatly he listened as he has his moments. I believed that he could be actually worried however he used to be adequate.

“Each and every Paralympics thus far I’ve been on a special horse, so each time is like my first time. It’s improbable.”

Jody describes Denver as a “very responsive” horse.

“When I am getting on him he turns out to are aware of it’s paintings time,” she mentioned, including that he loves bananas. “I’ll unquestionably give him bananas nowadays.”

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H&H senior information creator

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has lined a wide vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway protection campaigns. She has additionally interviewed best riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call only some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fortress World Horse Trials nearer to house. She used to be additionally a key a part of the far flung reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.