Born 34 Days Too Early, Premature Palomino Colt Goes on to Become World/Reserve World Champ in Three Different Breeds

The Little Horse That Could

By: Mary Cage

The odds were stacked against Soaking Up the Sun from the beginning. The palomino entered the world at the wrong time. He was born premature during an Arkansas snowstorm. 34 days too early and born with no hair, the colt had every reason not to survive. His dam, CJs Classy Lady, had placentitis. As a result, her colt was foaled at 306 days of gestation – a stage at which most foals are not typically viable. However, much to owner Lisa Blake’s relief, Soaking Up the Sun – given the name of “Midas” – defied the odds and pulled through.

Although the circumstances surrounding Midas’ birth had been unfortunate, the colt was everything Blake had dreamed of, and more. She had bred her mare to the palomino stallion Zips Magic Man (PHBA/AQHA) in hopes of the cross resulting in a golden palomino. Not only did Midas delight her with this coloring, but he also boasted tall stockings and a white marking on his chin. The latter marking qualified him to be registered with both the American Paint Horse Association and the Pinto Horse Association of America. As a result, Midas became quadruple-registered with the AQHA, APHA, PtHA, and PHBA.

Midas overcame a handful of minor problems that his premature birth had caused, and, by summer, Blake was confident enough to enter the colt in the weanling Halter classes at the Go For The Gold Futurity in Tulsa, Okla. By placing in the Top 10 in both the open and amateur classes, Midas shared in the payout.

“[It was] quite an accomplishment for a premature colt that had been fit and shown by his amateur owner,” Blake said.

Blake continued to show Midas as a yearling in Longe Line, an event in which the team earned more money and ribbons. When Midas was a two-year-old, Blake placed him in training with June Roman in Cabot, Ark. Midas excelled in Roman’s program. When he turned three years old, Blake made the decision to sell him.

But when Midas’ new owner developed health issues, Midas was taken out of training and turned out to pasture for three years. Blake was presented with the opportunity to purchase him back as a six-year-old, but she was hesitant to do so.

“He was so far behind in his training that I knew it would be a challenge to get this overweight, now-senior horse back into shape and to the training level to be able to compete again,” Blake said.

Nonetheless, Blake could not turn her back on Midas and decided to take the chance – a decision she is grateful to have made. By the time she regained ownership of Midas, Blake and her husband had moved to Whitesboro, Texas. There, she used the mild winters to her advantage, riding and exercising Midas to improve his fitness. An opening soon surfaced in the barn of Blake’s trainer, Lisa Ligon, and Blake took the opportunity to put Midas back in training. With plans to res-ell him, Blake knew placing the gelding in training would be very beneficial in continuing to improve his fitness.

Midas continued to advance and by the time summer rolled around, he was ready to compete at both the PtHA World Championship Show and the PHBA World Championship Show. As if he never missed a beat, Midas placed in the Top 10 at both shows. Blake kept her gelding with Ligon until the end of the summer when she brought him home, unsure of what the future held.

Living in the middle of horse country, Blake had many options. In the north central Texas area, various horse facilities exist that offer a multitude of horse breeds and a variety of disciplines. Blake’s future with Midas changed when she met two trainers based in Sanger, Texas, Gene Brown and Sonya Livermore. The two trainers hold multiple World Championships in several breed organizations, with Brown’s specialty being Carriage Driving and Livermore’s being Dressage.

“I first began taking Driving lessons with a very patient and talented Gypsy Vanner,” Blake said. “After a few months of lessons, I decided to send Midas to Gene to start in harness. Midas would be the only Quarter Horse in the barn. This new adventure was going to be different for both of us!”

Midas proved to be a quick, willing student and excelled under Brown’s guidance in Driving. Despite this, Blake missed riding the gelding and longed to be back in the saddle. While Brown continued to train Midas in Driving, Livermore began to work with the palomino under saddle.

“I credit Sonya for developing that huge extended trot that makes him so special,” Blake said. “It’s Midas’ favorite gait!”

This trot proved to be Midas’ winning factor in Driving classes. At the 2014 PHBA World Championship Show, Blake guided Midas to his first World Champion title when the pair won Amateur Pleasure Driving. After Midas earned ribbons in every class in which he was entered at that show, Blake began to look for other shows at which Midas could compete in Driving. She decided to show him at the Color Breed Congress and to qualify him for the APHA World Championship Show.

This decision produced great success for Midas. With Livermore, Midas earned an APHA World Championship in Open Utility Driving. At the Color Breed Congress, Blake showed Midas to a Congress Championship in Amateur Pleasure Driving and a Reserve Congress Championship in the Open Pleasure Driving.

Midas was pointed towards the 2015 PtHA World Championship Show. By the time the show rolled around in June, Livermore had added a new event to Midas’ repertoire: Dressage. In the first Dressage class in which the gelding was ever shown, he walked away with a PtHA Reserve World Championship. Later in the week, he earned a PtHA Reserve World Championship in the Open Disciplined Rail Driving.

In the course of a single year, Midas earned World/Reserve World Champion titles in three different breed associations. In the course of their life together, Blake and Midas have grown as a team, learning together and overcoming obstacles to achieve great success.

“We have learned so much, tried new things, and have accomplished so much more than I would have ever dreamed,” Blake said. “All the credit to Midas’ and my success is due to the talented trainers that have played a part in our educations along the way.”

Blake and Midas have had a roller coaster journey together since the palomino entered this world ten years ago. But, from the beginning, the team has overcome the obstacles that have been thrown at them, learning from one another, achieving success, and, most significantly, forming a bond.

“Midas is the kindest and most laid back horse that God ever made,” Blake said. “I am certain he knows how special he is, as Sonya tells him all the time that he is the ‘Champ.’ I know he understands her and is pretty happy with himself. He has a huge personality and will stick his tongue out at people or other horses if he wants their undivided attention. I am so thankful that the little yellow colt born so premature came back into my life! He brings joy to me and a lot of other people.”