Sterling

Breed: Draft X

Sex: gelding

Age: 2021

Height: 15.3h
Pedigree: 

Price: $18000 subject to change
​​​​​Link to lots of photos:      Sterling draft x gelding | Flickr 

Link to videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn2MMgZtlJ-zhIVehkVBga_8

  Sterling is a 4yr 15.3 h stunning athletic draft cross gelding. When people walk down my barn they always stop and ask about him. He commands attention! If you are looking for one that is super special to develop, I cannot say enough good things about him. He has really come along so easily for us having been such a green horse.

Sterling had been lightly broke, ridden western, trail ridden, ridden in an indoor, ridden in fields and more when we got him. I bought him from an online auction from a seller that I know and trust. I am comfortable sourcing these kind of horses with more of a western background to bring along as english horses.

Sterling is just such an incredibly smart horse. He learns so fast and I think that comes across as each video I post of him shows his progression. We have played around a bit with the bits and now have him in a rubber straight bar with some tongue room which he seems to like. He has a small mouth which seems short so bits are something you need to just explore. We spent some time teaching him about stretching into the contact on the lunge which he picked up very quickly. The western cues are different than english so I always feel like it can take a little time for them to figure out a different ride but he hasn't put a foot wrong during that process! The only thing you need to be careful of is the "WHOA" button because holy heck it is firmly installed on him :)

I think he is a lovely mover and has a super hind leg. He makes a great shape in the bridle. Super athletic and handy. I think this is the draft cross type that will be very competitive in the show ring. He is really learning to be straight and come across his back.

We have started him over fences and he LOVES to jump! He is so so brave and just plain adorable. He makes the cutest shape. Has been game for all the scary jump fillers and offering up his changes. He also went out to the xc field and popped around the xc jumps like he has been doing it forever when I know this is his 2nd time jumping and first time seeing a xc fence. It's super slick out there so we were being very careful but he was just absolutely perfect.

He has excellent manners. Loads, ties, grooming, baths, clipping, mounting, lunging, etc. He is a sweet horse but he takes a minute to investigate you first typically. I will say he has really started to come out of his shell since coming to us. We are encouraging him to eat treats and just be goofy. If anything he is just very very respectful of your space so you have to invite him in a bit.

I would say this is not yet a beginner type of horse because he is greener in his training. He has a super brain! He is not spooky or silly in any way but he is also still in need someone educating him at this point. He is athletic and more of a forward thinking draft cross in the best way. You won't need to be kicking him to go but he sure will whoa if you want to :)

His videos are here- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt-dzmhstvn2MMgZtlJ-zhIVehkVBga_8

Located in Delaware www.benchmarksporthorses.com in the five carrots right under the two range.