Senior Jennets are Hot!
Cobra's Golden Anne
Approximately 3-1/2 years ago my husband, Richard and I purchased the bulk of the famous Cobra herd, originally part of JT Smith’s stock in Oklahoma.
Cobra’s Golden Anne was part of this acquisition. As I explored WebSites, I was amazed at how many many farms had offspring, grand-children and great grand children of Cobra’s Golden Anne.
Golden Anne was 17 years old when we acquired her, she is highly intelligent and it took some time for her to trust us. She has been a brood jennet and never entered into a show ring. In late 2010, I decided to prepare her for the 2011 show season, to allow others to see this beautiful Cobra’s Arthur daughter.
My fall and winter task was to halter break this 19+ year old jennet. She demonstrated her disgust, by occasionally rearing up and trying to yank the lead out of my hand. We spent countless hours walking & trotting, first Annie bending her body way from me in a diagonal line and then finally over time, walking and trotting in a straight line.
My goal was to show Annie at the 2011 Celebration NMDA show in Shelbyville, TN. My husband thought I was crazy and thought it was a mistake to take an older animal, very set in her ways to such a prestigious show to be shown for the first time in halter. I intended to prove him wrong.
The day had arrived. Yes, I did have HUGE butterflies in my stomach. I could have easily worked a much younger jennet, but I was so proud of her and wanted others to see this beautiful Cobra jennet. I decided that even if Annie did not show well, even if the judge hated her, I would still beam with pride to exhibit this extraordinary Miniature Donkey.
Annie performed beautifully. Annie and I were in a huge class of beautiful jennets – Three Years and Older. Many of the exhibits had just turned three years of age. The judge pulled his first placement in the class, and then, he looked at me, and requested that I place Annie in 2nd position.
Cobra’s Golden Anne, first time ever shown in halter turned 20 years old on August 21, 2011 and was awarded Reserve Grand Champion at The Celebration – 2011.
The Celebration with Annie still brings a “tear to my eye” and I could not wait to approach my wonderful husband, Richard and tell him “you were wrong.
Morale of the story, share with others the “pioneers of the breed”, regardless of color, size or age, all Donkeys are beautiful and set your sights HIGH and BELIEVE!
