Chunk is a beautiful 16.2hh standardbred gelding who was surrendered to DCH in 2008 as a 5 year old when his racing career had finished. He's a lovely gentle boy and was easily trained to saddle; he was rehomed in early 2009 to a fantastic home in sydneys south west Hey Amanda,

It has been a while since I emailed you regarding Chunky so I figured I would you let you know how his first Christmas was...

On Christmas morning I gave them all the day off and took them to see what Horse Santa had bought them... They all got new Summer rugs, luv a lick liccorice, halters, (Queenie got a miracle windsucking collar) and chunky got raisin toast and iced tea (his favourite).

It is amazing me each and every day to see how well our Chunky boy is coming along. My instuctor couldn't believe, actually she was in amazement, the other day when we were working on his overtracking in a walk and making him pick up his feet in a trot. She couldn't see how an ex pacer/trotter has such a beautiful trot. Even his canter is a dream. It is easy to sit to and he just gives it his all. He is very spoilt and I cant believe how far he has come.

We have Chunky cantering from a standstill and working off the leg, still self flex's and is even learning how to bow (party trick). Everyone compliments us on what a beautiful and magnificent looking horse he is, and how gorgeous his confirmation is under saddle with his impressive long trot. We are enquiring into putting him into further dressage training to teach him to extend and collect his gaits. I also competed on him in a mock up dressage day and walked away with a 137/200 which was good enough to place us at 3rd for the day in the Preliminary 1A (the EFA test).

I don't know what we would do without chunky in our lives. He sure is the male character the paddock was lacking. Because of Chunky and his easy goingness, he has helped to teach my mare that there is nothing wrong with the float and there is nothing to be scared of. He is also becoming an avid water baby... He has learnt the technique of Stop, Drop and Roll...

I have also started to give a little girl 2 doors down lessons, she has learnt to rise to his trot on the lunge and loves playing red light, green light on him even though the game goes forever. We really couldn't have asked for a better pony so to speak than Chunky... he fits into our lives perfectly. He was the missing piece of the puzzle and you can be guaranteed that he has found his FOREVER home with us....

Thanks Amanda and Debbi for the amazing Chunky we have had now for a WHOLE YEAR!!! Anne-Maree, Lee, Chunky and Queenie!

adopted on 03012009 after 10 months in foster care