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ravines instead of walking down them, and he
quickly learned to jump fences with inches to spare.
One day while riding Danny, Blakelock-Rodriguez
fell and broke her pelvis in three places. As she
recovered she decided to let a professional trainer
work with Danny and unleash his full potential.
Over the years Danny has had several trainers
and riders and has become a major contender on
the hunting circuit.
“I love watching him clear the fences,” Blakeloc
N5odrigue says. ´He·s got such Áuidity and
grace. It’s like he’s dancing on the turf and sailing
through the air.”
Danny is now recognized as the number-one
thoroughbred and local hunter in the Horse Shows
in the Park circuit where he has been awarded
“champion” at just about every show.
“I still ride, but I leave the competition and training
watching them perform. I compare it to watching
my children in sports when they were young. It’s
so rewarding.”
Blakelock-Rodriguez credits Danny to literally
saving her life. The surgery may have removed the
cancer, but 'anny removed her pain and suͿering.
“Horse lovers will understand the connection
between a horse and his owner,” she says. “Danny
knows instinctively when I’ve had a bad day and
he always greets me with a friendly whinny. Now
instead of thinking of my life before and after cancer,
I think of it as before and after Danny. Honestly,
Competing in the Horse Shows in the Park circuit, Danny earned a multitude of ribbons. >>
89
to the younger riders,” she says. “I just love
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