Super Year, Super Pony – RPR’s Impulsive Superman Has a Season to Remember
EC Blog- POA News with Becky Solberg
Who ever thought that a $800 yearling would go on to become one of the POA’s leading All-Around pleasure ponies? His breeder Melissa Slayton did. “I always knew that Superman would go far if he got into the right hands!” Slayton sold RPR’s Impulsive Superman, aka “Manny,” in the POA International Sale back in 2010. “He was always very quiet and even, as a baby, moved well with a natural low headset.”
The lucky buyer, Jessica Drish, from Iowa wasn’t even looking to buy a stallion that year. “He just caught our eye.” Drish says. “I never thought the yearling we bought in 2010 would have such a successful show career and turn into the amazing pony he is!”
His trainer, Jena Despenas, from Mason City, IA has had him since he was a two-year-old. “He’s the quietest [most] easygoing guy you could ever meet,” Despenas says. “I have been known to take him from his stall to turnout without a halter – just my hand under his neck. You honestly would never know he is a stud.”
So what’s he like to ride and train you might ask. “Every ride is amazing! He’s so willing and gives his all every ride,” Despenas says. “He’s the same pony every ride.”
This year, Manny and Despenas won one of POAC’s most prestigious trophies, The McClaren. The McClaren was held in September at the Reichert Celebration in Fort Worth, Texas. This was only the second time Despenas had shown in this class.
“I’d just had my baby girl three weeks before the Reichert, so he had had some time off,” Despenas says “I gained so much respect for him after that. He came out and rode better than ever. There aren’t too many horses I have encountered that can do that.” As for the class, “I felt confident going in, but it’s always in the judges’ hands. I just wanted a great ride, and he definitely gave me that! I knew this was my last year showing him, so I really wanted to enjoy it. He definitely holds a special place in my heart, which made the win even more special.”
There was one person missing in the stands on the evening of The McClaren, his owner. Due to obligations with her work, Drish, who is a veterinarian, was unable to attend the Reichert Celebration. “After what seemed like an eternity, I was on the phone with a friend as they called the placings. I was shocked and in disbelief as they called him first under all four judges! I owe all of his success to Jena Despenas, JLD Performance Horses, and her family.”
When asked about what the future holds for Manny, Drish had this to say, “We’re hoping he makes a name for himself in the future as an upcoming POA sire. Although he will be spending a large portion of 2014 in the breeding shed, he may make an appearance in the show ring this summer as well.”
Congratulations to RPR’s Impulsive Superman, Jessica Drish, and Jena Despenas on all of his accomplishments.
RPR’s Impulsive Superman’s 2013 Accomplishments
2013 Central Classic:
Champion JPFC 3/4 Western Pleasure
Champion 19 and over western pleasure
Champion JPFC 3/4 HUS
Champion 19 and over WP
Champion 3/4YO JPFC Trail
High point JPFC Central Classic.
2013 Reichert Celebration:
*Unanimous champion McClaren Futurity
*Unanimous Champion JPFC western pleasure
*Unanimous champion western pleasure 19 and over
*Unanimous champion Reichert celebration WP Futurity 3/4/5 yr olds
*Champion horsemanship 19 and over
*Champion Reichert celebration HUS Futurity 3/4/5 yr olds
*Unanimous champion JPFC HUS 3/4
*Unanimous champion HUS 19 and over
*Unanimous champion 19 and over English eq
Reserve champion
19 and over trail
3rd 19 and over reining
*overall high point 19 and over
2013 International Futurity –
Reserve champion JPFC 3/4 HUS
Reserve Champion JPFC 3/4 western pleasure
9th 3/4 trail
*Overall high point 3/4 yo JPFC
