Originally published in Luso News Winter Edition 2023/24.

I believe that Rexelle is the only Lusitano on the Isle of Man, though there are other Iberian breeds here.

I have two other horses that we keep on our own land: Prince, a 15-year-old TBX who is retired from ridden work, and Nova, a 13-year-old ex-racer.

We get a reasonable amount of interest in Rexelle when out and about, especially from show judges who enjoy seeing different breeds and always have positive comments about her. We persuaded our local showing club to include a foreign breeds class so that Rexelle can do 2 in-hand classes at the shows.

How did we come to have Rexelle in our herd? Most will think that I did things slightly backwards when getting Rexelle. I guess most people would have a couple of breeds in mind when buying a horse and then look for sellers or breeders with these horses. Nope, that wasn't the case here.

I saw an advert for a horse in Portugal shared by a college friend (college was a long time ago). I wasn't even looking for a new horse. (I had 4 at the time.) He was a very impressive-looking gelding, and despite not knowing much about the breed (other than looking after and occasionally riding a couple over a few weeks when I worked in Austria), I’d always heard that they made willing, trainable partners.

Out of pure curiosity, I contacted the breeder. He confirmed my suspicions that the horse I had inquired about was way beyond my budget. Ah well. That was the end of that dream.

Except, the breeder mentioned the possibility of a youngster. Perhaps a filly? Would I be interested? He sent a video of this feisty little youngster floating around the indoor arena in trot. He also sent some details.

After a lot of background reading on the breed and her lineage, plus a look at her birthday, which happened to be the day after my partner's. I think it was the birthday that was the clincher. It was a done deal.

We named her Rexelle, which means bright star. That was in July 2021 and the following October, we went to see her as part of the herd, where we also met her parents. I rode a couple of other Lusitanos (including her maternal granddad), which convinced me further that she would be a brilliant little horse when she was older. So, just to recap, I saw a video, matched a birthday and bought a horse before I’d even seen it in real life. My partner questions my sanity, and I don’t think many would blame him.

We had another visit the following March when she was almost a year old. We spent more time with her, including in the stable, getting her used to being handled. I rode again and hung out with some of the other yearlings and two-year-olds. All of the horses had fabulous temperaments. Even in the herd, they were well mannered. I was a lot more relaxed about the, I’ll admit it, rather rash decision to buy.

Rexelle arrived on the island in December (2022). It was dark and windy when she arrived. We led her up a very spooky lane into the barn. It was so much easier than we anticipated it might be. She constantly amazes us with how level-headed and willing she is. Looking to us for reassurance to begin with. I think our weather was a bit of a culture shock, unfortunately, we had snow within three days of her arrival. As she had very little winter coat, it meant that despite me saying I wouldn't rug a youngster, by the end of her first week with us, she was wearing her first rug.

Over the past year or so, we've introduced her to different experiences, from in-hand showing at local shows (she needed to follow my experienced horse in her first show, but since has gone in the ring alone and improved every time) to our version of a county show with a variety of animals, stalls, tractors etc. which she took in her stride. She's been out for walks, has worn various tack, and has generally been taught about the world and what will come as she gets older and starts her ridden career. She’s competed in online in-hand dressage and does very well in agility.

Our nervous, looking for reassurance, spook at everything girl is no more. Now she’s totally settled with us, the herd and her surroundings. She is very curious about everything. I do mean everything. Can I eat it? Can I push it over? What’s in here? What have you got there? Is it food?

Eventually, I hope to do a bit of everything with her, from hacking to dressage, Le Trec and more agility. I’ve no regrets about buying this horse, although my sanity is still in question.