2012, Claudia Rahlmeier
Only 12 days after Rocky's death, I also had to have my dear Geronimo put to sleep on August 6, 2026. He was 26 years old
and had been with me for more than 16 years. Due to severe arthritis, he developed severe lameness in his left foreleg,
which could no longer be alleviated even by adjusting his hoof balance and using pain medication. Of course, he too will
always hold a special place in my heart and on this website.
2016
I first met Geronimo in 2008 while working with him. I was supposed to teach him circus exercises and work with him from the ground. I quickly fell in love with his lively, energetic personality, but it was another two years before I was finally able to buy him, on February 28, 2010. On the ride to his new stable, he bucked me off, which was probably the beginning of some exciting years to come. Geronimo turned out to be quite challenging when out on the trails, especially when he was alone. I had to contend with his strong herd instinct, and on top of that, he was nervous and easily frightened. This made riding out a real challenge, and on more than one occasion I even had to ride backwards all the way home because there was simply no other way to handle him. Thankfully, over the years, this gradually turned into the complete opposite. By the end, he had become an exceptionally reliable horse who was perfectly happy to go out on his own. Just like Rocky, he soon joined in with every crazy idea I came up with, whether I hitched him to a sled, tried my hand at the Hungarian Post, or wanted to drive cattle.
2023
Geronimo had always been very easygoing and kind to handle. From the very beginning, he showed great enthusiasm and a lot of talent for circus exercises, Working Equitation, jumping, and especially dressage. His powerful hindquarters enabled him to perform some of the old Baroque movements described by de la Guérinière, such as the terre à terre, the mezair, and a small ballotade. I am very grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to try my hand at these demanding movements, which require a level of strength and esprit that very few horses possess. Geronimo was always very enthusiastic during riding lessons. Whether it was pirouettes, passage, or flying changes, all the way up to tempi changes every two strides, he loved showing what he could do - especially when there was a treat in it for him. As his bones grew more tired, he still enjoyed going out on trail rides and introducing children to riding, and he was a horse you could absolutely rely on. I am glad that he remained sound enough to move comfortably for so many years. Just a few weeks before his death, we were still riding out in all three gaits.