🌟 Meet Beau, the Academy's Shining Star! 🏆

Without a doubt, Beau is the biggest star of the Academy these days.  And with good reason!

Impeccably bred and a fancy mover, Beau also represents “every horse” as he responds to training questions in ways that feel familiar to most of us who watch him.

We’ve all enjoyed watching Beau be the less than perfect horse, and watching how JJ effortlessly acknowledges his response, redirects and helps him without stress.  The process has been so inspiring for the rest of us mere mortals that we might just get there with our less than perfect horse too!

So who is Beau?

Beau's “real name” is Bento 260 Bacchus.  He is a 9-year-old, 17 hand imported Hanoverian gelding.  His sire is Belissimo M, who is known for passing on great looks, rideability and athleticism to his offspring. On his maternal side, his damsire is Warkant, who was the Hanoverian Stallion of the year in 2002. He also has Trakehener blood with Arogno on the mare side, just to complete his royal bloodlines.

Bred in Germany, Beau was imported as a 5 year old to be a dressage mount, but unfortunately, his owner at the time had physical difficulty sitting his trot and opted to sell him. 

He was then sold on and became a show hunter, even winning High Point at a couple of shows, but alas, his hunter days ended when his owner needed to reduce her string of horses. 

They felt he was a natural talent for dressage and sent him to a trainer to be tuned up and sold.  That is when Deb and John Kail found him.  

On the hunt for a mount they could share, one that could as easily go from a trail ride to the show ring, with a quiet and willing temperament was a big ask. Beau happened to be local to them, so even though their trainer was in Florida, they decided to check him out on their own.

The day they first met and tried Beau, it was 20-degrees out.  Beau was calm, willing and happy, totally unphased by the cold temp. Deb and John recognized that he was a good guy and they knew they would enjoy him.  They figured, why not? And took a chance.

Deb says, “We decided to just give it a go.  Brought him home and messed him up as only a good amateur can do!”

In fairness, no one knew that Beau would have a behavior change when 2nd level collection started to come into play.  He had been very successfully shown by their trainer at 1st level and had been a happy to work kinda guy.

It was when he was asked to collect that he began to show signs of discomfort.  He never said no, though, but as we have all seen, that is when he developed his signature move of flinging his head up and picking up speed!

Deb worked to sort out the problems, but soon realized she needed someone with a bigger tool box to help Beau.  She and John really wanted someone who would connect to the horse and help him continue his training, but without stress or a strict timeline.

That is when they contacted JJ.  It clearly worked out, and here we are!

Before and during his time with JJ, Beau has had extensive vet examinations and care, as well as saddle changes and really, anything else he needs to keep him feeling his best. They did find that he had some changes in his neck and spine that have since been treated.  

But, he now has some baggage, and JJ is helping him learn to use his body in a way that doesn’t set off his guarding behavior or scare him. 

Those of us in the Academy have really benefited from watching this process.  It’s so rare to see a top level trainer show the “warts and all” progression, and so refreshing to see it done with such a clear, systematic and kind approach that reduces the horse’s stress while still progressing forward, however long it takes!

Last summer, Beau traveled with JJ to Germany to continue his training. He made a lot of progress there.  Unfortunately, even with their best efforts, Beau became dehydrated during the return trip and promptly developed ulcers.  He had immediate vet care and has since recovered, and he is being carefully and slowly brought back into work.

Deb would love to show him this winter in Florida. Her current goal is to finish her scores for her Bronze medal, but she is not in any hurry and reiterates that this is all on Beau’s time. He will continue with JJ for as long as necessary.

Deb, John, and JJ dearly love this horse and want to give him the chance to learn and go up the levels, but only as long as he remains happy and willing.  

His presence in the Academy serves as an inspiration to everyone, reminding us all that no matter what “issue” comes our way, as long as the horse is sound, we can customize the science of riding to develop any horse in a positive way that benefits the horse.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Deb and John for generously sharing Beau's journey with the Academy.