Champ ATFO 2026 Platinum Candidate

PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION<br/><br/>Champ<br/><br/>2012<br/><br/>Appalachian Brumby Gelding<br/><br/>13.2 HH<br/><br/>Fee: 2500<br/><br/><br/>Champ is a candidate for ATFO 2026! and on a training hold at this time.<br/><br/>The Appalachian Trainer Face Off is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together horse trainers from across the country to compete while highlighting adoptable horses and showcasing each trainer’s skills. The 2026 event is scheduled for August 20–22 in Winfield, West Virginia, and selected horses will be offered in an adoption auction on August 22, 2026.<br/><br/>If you’re interested in bidding, apply now for the opportunity to bid on horses that fit your riding category. More event details and application information are available here: https://www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQz3bdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYZlpwM2tWMlhFYUZpUWc4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpyCTydm48xrhETK8e0k3XBmO1JY34yVaueH6OIvE3jCH9nUlEFhG77qJ0fA_aem_rIWjjVGy3lZLcZjnE_PSDw<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/>Champ had 110+ days of training with Maggie Higgins.Follow his progress at #hopteamchamp.<br/><br/>From trainer 8/10/25:<br/><br/>Champ has come such a long way this summer! I am so incredibly proud of him and his progress. He has taught me so much in the time we’ve been together.<br/>This month we’ve continued to build on the foundation that we established at the beginning of the summer. Champ has a great mind and improves with every ride I put on him. He can now:<br/>walk, trot and canter in both directions<br/>yield his front and hind end under saddle<br/> stand tied<br/> understand leg cues<br/> stops off of seat<br/> ground ties<br/>stands tied<br/> accepts fly spray (still a bit nervous)<br/>easy to catch<br/>loads well<br/> does well with the farrier<br/>picks up all four feet easily<br/>trots in hand<br/>crosses water<br/> jumps small jumps<br/>stays focused around other horses<br/> is brave with obstacles<br/><br/>He also tolerates various forms of tomfoolery that my friends, family and I throw at him.<br/>Champ isn’t fancy, but I believe he is well on his way to becoming a solid and dependable horse. When we started working together, our biggest challenge to overcome was his strong flight instinct. He is learning how to use the thinking side of his brain instead of reacting when confronted with things that scare him. There is still progress to be made in this area but he has vastly improved.<br/><br/>Champ would do well with a confident advanced beginner rider with a trainer or an intermediate rider as he has a spook. Ideally he would find someone that would continue to work with him on this as he learns to appropriately react to situations. He is a stoic guy but he opens up a lot when he learns to trust his handler.<br/><br/>At a sturdy 13.2 hh Champ is a pony and he acts like it! He has his opinions and he will let you know how he feels. He has a little attitude sometimes and will test his rider. I think he’s one of those ponies that could make a more experienced kid a really savy horseman!<br/>Overall, Champ is awesome and I love him!<br/><br/>From the trainer 7/8/25<br/><br/>Month 2 with Champ flew by! Here’s some of the stuff we’ve been working on! (Ps I cant figure out how to make a video on FB without having the same part of the song play over and over so oh well)<br/>Champ started the month of June with 9 rides. Now I’ve lost count of how many times he’s been ridden (20+). His steering at the trot is beginning to get really good. He maintains his trot as well without me having to pester him too much to keep going. He’s making great progress softening to the bit- although he does still have some of his own opinions, he’s learning to voice them more politely.<br/>He’s really come out of his shell this month. The same pony that took me an hour and a half to catch in May now comes when I call him (most of the time). Instead of holding his fear inside until he explodes, he’s more openly expressing when he starts to feel uncomfortable with something. This is good because he’s having less of those big reactive spooking episodes and gaining confidence.<br/>We’ve played around with a lot of different experiences this month- having new riders on his back, trot poles, cones, trailering, obstacles, baths, meeting new people (including my kids) riding bareback, etc. He handles new things very well.<br/>Thus far Champ can:<br/> comfortably have all four feet picked up and be trimmed by the farrier<br/>stand tied<br/> ground tie<br/> stand still for saddling, bridling, mounting and dismounting (from the ground or mounting block)<br/> lunge both ways<br/> trot in hand<br/> stands for fly spray and being hosed off<br/> walk, trot and back up under saddle<br/> be caught easily<br/> load into a trailer easily<br/>Some things we plan to continue to work on (in addition to practicing his skills)<br/>-softening to the bit<br/>-yielding the forehand under saddle<br/>- learning to canter comfortably<br/>- dragging objects (this was very scary)<br/>-being comfortable with strangers<br/>Whoever ends up with this pony will be super lucky!<br/><br/><br/>Horses are typically located in the Appalachian area, but please inquire about a horse's specific location when you apply!<br/><br/>We are looking to adopt to safe homes.<br/><br/>A history of good horsemanship, the ability to provide sufficient care with good vet, farrier and peer references are important. If you are a first-time horse owner, we will require you to board at a facility for the first year while you learn more about care. We encourage everyone to take advantage of riding lessons.<br/><br/>Foal adoptions require previous, established experience with youngsters.<br/><br/>Our adoption process makes sure you get the right horse for you – it is a no-fail process for finding the right match.<br/><br/>Apply at https://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt<br/><br/>PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION

PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION

Champ

2012

Appalachian Brumby Gelding

13.2 HH

Fee: 2500


Champ is a candidate for ATFO 2026! and on a training hold at this time.

The Appalachian Trainer Face Off is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together horse trainers from across the country to compete while highlighting adoptable horses and showcasing each trainer’s skills. The 2026 event is scheduled for August 20–22 in Winfield, West Virginia, and selected horses will be offered in an adoption auction on August 22, 2026.

If you’re interested in bidding, apply now for the opportunity to bid on horses that fit your riding category. More event details and application information are available here: https://www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQz3bdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYZlpwM2tWMlhFYUZpUWc4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpyCTydm48xrhETK8e0k3XBmO1JY34yVaueH6OIvE3jCH9nUlEFhG77qJ0fA

PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION

Champ

2012

Appalachian Brumby Gelding

13.2 HH

Fee: 2500


Champ is a candidate for ATFO 2026! and on a training hold at this time.

The Appalachian Trainer Face Off is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together horse trainers from across the country to compete while highlighting adoptable horses and showcasing each trainer’s skills. The 2026 event is scheduled for August 20–22 in Winfield, West Virginia, and selected horses will be offered in an adoption auction on August 22, 2026.

If you’re interested in bidding, apply now for the opportunity to bid on horses that fit your riding category. More event details and application information are available here: https://www.appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQz3bdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYZlpwM2tWMlhFYUZpUWc4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpyCTydm48xrhETK8e0k3XBmO1JY34yVaueH6OIvE3jCH9nUlEFhG77qJ0fA_aem_rIWjjVGy3lZLcZjnE_PSDw




Champ had 110+ days of training with Maggie Higgins.Follow his progress at #hopteamchamp.

From trainer 8/10/25:

Champ has come such a long way this summer! I am so incredibly proud of him and his progress. He has taught me so much in the time we’ve been together.
This month we’ve continued to build on the foundation that w