This month’s One in a Million winner is Mr Bar Muscle, who was nominated by Tina Ferguson of Napier. She writes: “Mr Bar Muscle, or Moo as he is known at home, is a one in a million horse. He is a palomino quarter horse gelding, and Mum bought him home when he was a fat four-year-old. Dad asked where the cart to go with him was – not a good start. Teaching him to do things wasn’t easy – he didn’t like to canter (too much like hard work), or jump (easier to break the rails). But as it turned out, this little 150cm horse turned in a top all rounder – champion at round-the-ring and on the flat, FEI jumper, hunter, games horse, Western, side-saddle – you name it. He was loaned to other pony club kids when their horses were out, and won the local hunters’ jump five years in a row with five different riders. When I was pregnant with my son I still rode Moo, including jumping, because I knew he would look after me. I rode him until the day before I gave birth. Even when I had a broken leg in plaster, I still went off to the shows and jumped him. At some shows, my Mum would do the Western classes, then it would be a quick gear change and I’d take over for the jumping. Heaps of people could ride him as he is safe as houses – in fact all of our family competed him in different events. The only thing he didn’t like was being put in a cart. At HOY in 2002, he won the Games Horse of the Year title at the grand old age of 22, still acting like a two-year-old. Now he is 25 and still going strong teaching little kids to ride. Even at his age we still take him out – if he was left in the paddock I think he would just drop dead. If my next horse will do just a part of what Moo could do, then I will be really happy.” Is your horse or pony one in a million? Each month we’ll feature one very special equine on this page. They don’t have to be champions, or have won hundreds of rosettes, to qualify. Just send in a picture of your horse or pony with a brief letter explaining why you’re nominating him or her. The featured horse each month will win a voucher to the value of $100 from the Saddlery Warehouse. Send to: Saddlery Warehouse One in a Million NZ Horse & Pony Magazine PO Box 12965 Penrose, Auckland or email editor@horse-pony.co.nz. Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you’d like your photograph returned.