FEATURE

story and photos by Holly Johnson/ Equinium Sports Marketing hair and make-up by Style Me Jaime

SPOTS ARE IN, AND FAMOUS:

Wellington’s Spotted Sporthorse Garners National Attention

It was J. Crew’s creative director and American fashion designer Jenna Lyons who once said, “As far as I’m concerned, leopard is a neutral.” While neutral it may be, boring it is not, as testified by Wellington’s Danash’s Northern Tempest (aka Dani the Wonder Horse). Dani’s web of leopard Appaloosa spots accented by dark points, striped hooves, and a mottled mane and tail have speckled the imaginations of not only her fans, but also the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) judges and even a new national base of admirers. While it may be a neutral, Dani’s leopard coat is promoting horse sport and good vibes among equestrians around the globe.

In the first days of 2021, Breyer Model Horses, the largest and arguably most prestigious maker of 1:9 size equine models, announced that Dani would be the star of their 2021 BreyerFest: the Celebration Horse. Breyer’s theme for the virtual event is a “Horse of a Different Color,” and Dani couldn’t be a better fit. Her brilliant coat pattern was a stark contrast to the typical greys, bays, and chestnuts of the performance hunter arenas, yet she brought in the ribbons. On any given day at the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds, she was likely to be the only spotted or even painted horse competing in any discipline.

Gown by Rhode @shoprhode

The Celebration Horse is the equivalent of a headline band at a concert, and as the headliner Dani’s model will be available exclusively to BreyerFest ticket holders. She will also likely be a guest attendee at future BreyerFests, which hopefully will go back to an in-person event in the coming years as COVID-19 succumbs to the vaccine. As one of the few mares ever chosen to be a Celebration Horse and one of the arguably most spectacular natural patterns yet crafted to a Breyer mold, Dani’s announcement and model have been welcomed with open arms by Breyer’s model collecting community as well as equestrians of all ages and demographics.

But Dani’s story began long before Breyer, and couldn’t be told without the village of people, businesses, and events that have boosted her to BreyerFest and showring fame.

Dani was foaled in 2013, a Leopard Appaloosa/Friesian cross bred by Jessica Bowman of North Horse Farm in Cheboygan, Michigan. Dani’s sire, Danash K, is a classical Friesian stallion: upright, elegant, and solid ebony; her dam, Chief’s Bold Angel, is a leopard Appaloosa mare by Chief’s Big Hawk.

The Appaloosa breed was founded by the Nez Perce Tribe, and originally were a variety of Spanish horses that became very much in demand in the mid to late eighteenth century. Today they retain a mixture of conformational elements similar to the American Quarter Horse, but are especially distinguished by their mottled coats, striped hooves, and visible sclera, the white outer layer of the eye. Dani is a unique mix of both: the Friesian’s proud carriage, uphill build, and exemplary bone, and the Appaloosa’s athleticism, versatility, and of course, coloring.

Dani was purchased as a filly and relocated to south Florida by Jessica Collins, where she began her formal training. She was properly started by Brandy Rivas of Equines and Equestrians in Southwest Ranches, Florida, about an hour south of Palm Beach.

In 2017, Dani was purchased by Palm Beach Sport Horses, which is operated by Laura Reece. Reece is the driving force behind Dani’s ultimate fame. Having ridden as a young girl, Reece was determined to reignite her passion for horses after succeeding as a wife, businesswoman, and mom. When she found Dani, Reece was immediately drawn to her sparkling personality and willingness, a key attribute for an amateur mount.

As a coming 7-year-old, and still growing into her 17-hand frame, Dani’s training progressed slowly at first. Reece and her trainer, Ashley Glica of ATG Equestrian, began to build upon the dressage and jumping foundation put in place by her former owners. Reece’s goal was to compete in the hunters, and eventually at WEF. A veritable mecca for horse sport, WEF’s hunter circuit is one of the most prestigious in the world. In early 2020, Reece’s goals became reality when she took Dani out in the Rusty Stirrup division. Her coloring, while not exactly an asset in the hunter ring, drew attention. Hunter judges have slowly became more accepting of palominos and paints, but Dani’s success marked a new era.

Reece started an Instagram account for her “wonderhorse,” which quickly grew in popularity, and her spots began making headlines from the cover of Wellington the Magazine and Equine America magazine to digital features in HorseTalk New Zealand and The Chronicle of the Horse.

Fast forward to December 2020, and the Holiday & Horses circuit, which takes place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the same grounds as WEF. Dani has notched multiple circuit championships in the low hunter divisions, and WEF 2021 is on the horizon. Unknown to much of the equestrian world, Reece and her circle were sworn to silence regarding Dani’s title of 2021 Celebration Horse until Breyer officially made the announcement. The tension was undoubtedly palpable, but none of it seemed to rattle Dani. At the ESP Holiday Finale, Dani earned her largest cache of ribbons yet, including a blue in the Marshall & Sterling Medal class with Francesca Moore in the irons, and Circuit Champion in the USHJA 2' Hunters.

Breyer’s official announcement and release (by photo) of Dani’s model took place on January 4th, 2021. The first week of WEF competition commenced January 6th, with Dani as an active competitor. “It’s really amazing and humbling to have Dani chosen as the BreyerFest Celebration Horse,” said Reece. “Last year people would recognize her at WEF and say, ‘Oh we know her, that’s Dani the Wonder Horse!’ from our Instagram page, and obviously just because she stands out in any hunter ring by being the only Appaloosa! We are just so excited for this next step and I’m looking forward to more adventures with her.”

To see Dani’s Breyer Model is to see Dani herself. The artists at Breyer have captured every detail of the mare’s striking coat, including the mottled chest and neck, multi-colored tail, flared star on her forehead, and of course her striped hooves and spots. “Many people think Dani is a white horse with black spots, but the truth is the reverse,” said Reece. “She’s actually a black horse with a web of white overlaid. It’s a typical genetic pattern of the leopard Appaloosas.”

Dani’s coloring has and will continue to spark attention and controversy in equestrian circles. Certainly very few of the hunter riders or judges consider leopard a neutral. But there’s one quality of leopard that is undeniable: its versatility. Leopard can be dressed up or down. It compliments most other colors and flatters all forms. It pops on the runway (and in the show ring, whether for better or worse you can decide). But at its core, leopard is an amplifier; it accents, it enlarges, it showcases. And like the leopard print, Lyon’s original quote distills the meaning of true individuality; even the boldest prints are just an accent to a truly great character, achievements, and ultimately the essence of existence. While Dani’s leopard coat has helped to define her story, it is a neutral compared to her willingness, heart, and the joy she delivers to those around her.

Follow along on Dani’s journey her Instagram account @danithewonderhorse.