Maybe it’s emotional residue from one too many The Black Stallion viewings as a kid, but there’s just something about seeing an event horse the color of polished onyx that makes my heart skip a beat. And when their performance matches their tall, dark and handsome good looks … swoon.
There were three black horses this year, in particular, that had me crushing hard. Since it’s Black Friday, I thought I’d share!
FRH BUTTS AVEDON
This 12-year-old Hannoverian gelding, campaigned at the four-star level by Germany’s Andreas Dibowski, first caught my eye at Luhmühlen in June, where he finished 11th. He gets his midnight-hued coat from his daddy, Heraldik xx, who has sired a number of top event horses.
Dreamy, right?
I got to see him again at the Pau CCI4* in October, where he finished 12th.
HALUNKE FBW
Another horse by Heraldik xx, Halunke FBW made his CCI4* debut at Pau this year. He was in the lead after cross country but was unfortunately withdrawn before the Sunday horse inspection; however, with Michael Jung in the irons we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this horse’s future.
Halunke is registered with the FEI as “other brown bay,” whatever that means, but let’s get real — the horse is black.
DOWNTOWN HARRISON
One more for you to feast your eyes upon: Downtown Harrison. This 11-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding has been piloted by Jon Holling to top finishes, including a CCI3* win at Bromont in 2012. I had the pleasure of watching him compete at Boekelo this year, where he finished 23rd.
He’s also registered with the FEI as bay, and yeah, maybe he has a smudge of brown on his oh-so-kissable muzzle, but for all practical purposes …
Yum.
Of course, a number of other black event horses could have made my dream horse list. Which is your favorite?