The Universe Intervenes
Call it fate, but I saw an ad for a 15-year-old gelding competing at St. George level. The seller cared deeply about finding the right home, and I felt I could offer a good one. I knew the price would likely be beyond my budget, but I called anyway. You never know—has always been my motto, and it has helped me in many different situations.
The owner, Camilla, was very pleasant and encouraged me to come for a test ride. She was even willing to arrange a payment plan if we were a good match. I told her the whole story about Markant and how I would need to sell him to recover some of my money. But I didn’t want to sell him to just anyone—I wanted to release myself from any responsibility for him.
I traveled to Katrineholm to try Bekila, as the horse was called, and I was absolutely thrilled. He was a fantastic horse. Camilla liked my riding style, as I was very soft, which suited Bekila well since he was a Thoroughbred and needed a gentle hand. She mentioned that several people had come to try him, but most were too rough in their riding. I was overjoyed! She agreed to sell him to me—but how would I afford it?
Camilla started asking about Markant, and I didn’t hold anything back. However, when I described his movement and beauty, she became interested. She suggested that she could take him in for training, and based on my description, she was convinced that once he was ready for sale, the price would cover Bekila’s purchase cost.
I was over the moon. I had been almost ready to give Markant away, and now I had an offer that felt almost too good to be true. I told Camilla to be careful and not to feel bad if it didn’t work out—we would find another solution if needed. But she was completely convinced it would all go smoothly.
Camilla’s Struggles with Markant
Camilla took Markant home, and I asked her to check in regularly—mostly to make sure she was still alive! She promised she would. The first week went well, but the following week she called and told me that he had tried to throw her off. She had managed to stay on, though, and after that, he had to work hard in their gravel pit. She was confident that he was now on the right track.
Of course, I was happy to hear this, but I still warned her—she should never take anything for granted and had to stay cautious.
Another week passed before she called again. This time, she sounded more shaken.
“Now I know what you were talking about!”
Markant had thrown her off properly, and she hadn’t stood a chance of staying on. Still, she didn’t want to give up. But… she had received an offer for him! The buyer knew about his quirks but had seen him and wanted him anyway. The offer was high enough that I could fully pay for Bekila, compensate Camilla for her efforts—and even have some money left over.
I nearly screamed into the phone:
“SELL! SELL NOW!”
Camilla hesitated, thinking she might be able to get even more for him if she rode him for a while longer. But I strongly advised against it:
“No, no! What if you break your arms and legs? Or if he injures himself running home? If the buyer knows what he’s getting into and still wants him—call immediately and close the deal!”
All’s Well That Ends Well!
And so it happened. Markant ended up with a dressage rider who continued working with him.
I stayed in touch with Camilla for quite a while, and a few years later, she told me that Markant had become a huge success. He had won district championships and several competitions. Eventually, he was sold again for a six-figure sum—an enormous amount 40 years ago! He was an incredible and willing horse, agile and talented, as long as he was in an arena or indoor school. But… when the interns took him out for a walk in the woods? He still came home by himself.
I can also add that there was never anything physically wrong with him. He was X-rayed before the sale, and the vet told Camilla:
“I should frame this X-ray and hang it on my wall—this is the finest skeletal structure I’ve ever seen!”
As for me, I had a few wonderful years with Bekila and learned an incredible amount.
On the picture is me and Bekila:
