March 8, 1979-November 23, 1997
ApHC T297-611 ApSHA F413
I purchased 4 S Fancy Pants when he was 18 months old. He began his training as a race horse as that is what his breeding implied he would be best suited for. Not long before his first race he got his foot stuck in a wire fence and almost cut it completely off. He cut completely around his hoof, and between the frog. The only things he missed were the tendon and main artery. Some passers by saw him and took him to a near by vet, who, not even knowing who the owner was, treated Fancy anyway.
Fancy was brought to me at the track, and the sight of his leg as they took the bandages off is still etched in my mind to this day. Both vets felt he would never walk again. Fancy wasn’t a quitter and neither was I. Long story short it took two years of care and rehabilitation, but he was sound and ready to go back to work. He was again plagued by a fencing injury to a back leg. One vet felt the tendon had been severed, another felt it had not. More time off, and again he was sound, but beginning to amass a few scars. I again started his training, but no longer focusing on race training. He loved to jump, and was very flexible. I began to focus on eventing and dressage as his profession.
His training was stopped short again, but not by his injuries, by mine. I was rear ended by a drunk driver, and due to my back injuries they told me I would never ride again. I will admit it took a good 5 years of therapy, and a lot of pain, but I was back in the saddle, and more determined than ever to get this horses show career started.
This is Fancy during one of his career interuptions.
His first event was fun for both of us. It was the beginning of a very successful career. Although Fancy never competed above training level, he schooled prelim with ease. He became a talented dressage horse as well. He was consistently in the ribbons and has many high scores, as well as trophies and ribbons to his credit.
As you can see, due to my injuries, my form needs a lot of work. Fancy continued to perform in spite of my difficulties and lack of softness.
His form over fences, his willing attitude, his intelligence, resilience, and temperament made him the obvious choice for my breeding program.
Fancy was one of those once in a life time horses. One of the ones you only dream about owning. He gave 110% anytime, all the time. He was the same horse whether a stallion, or a gelding, whether ridden every day, or once a year.
He is shown above, being ridden by Dominque Barbie' working on the piaffe.
His career was cut short due to some financial difficulties, but I had planned on bringing him back out the spring of 1998. Unfortunately, the barn fire in November 1997 took Fancy’s life, and ended an incredible partnership.
I feel fortunate that his talent has been passed on to his offspring. There will never be another Fancy, but his grandchildren, and great grandchildren are his legacy, and the future of Liberty Run Stables.
