Rumba's Story
My husband and I have owned horses for over 25 years. They live with us on our farm in Tennessee. Most of our horse years, we traveled all over the country riding trails and seeing scenery that you can only begin to imagine. We have been to some beautiful places in this great Country of ours.
In 2014 my husband and I decided to stop taking such long trips with horses and concentrate on events and places more local. We actually have two horses that have traveled over 300,000 miles, in the trailer. It was that year that we decided to go to some local horse shows just to be spectators. It wasn’t long that we got the show bug and decided to start showing. The event that my husband was most interested in was the Working Cow Horse Classes. To explain, the Working Cow Horse event involves riding your horse into the arena, do a pattern of circles, spins and sliding stops (called Reining), with each maneuver judged. Then, a cow is let into the arena. The rider has to move the cow around the arena, in very specific maneuvers, turns, circles, stops and containment in specific spots. Again, each maneuver is judged. Most of this is done at full speed. Riding a free-spirited horse, with a cow that has its own idea of what it wants to do, things can, and do, get wild. Needless to say, this is an adrenalin filled experience. My husband wanted to pursue this, so the next step was to find a way to practice.
We found a trainer in who took on my husband’s horse, and I would go and watch whenever I could.
One day in the Summer of 2015, I was introduced to a beautiful horse named Rumba. Rumba’s owner had been keeping him at the trainers on and off over the past 5 years for training. Rumba loved to work the cows….
A few weeks later, in front of several new friends we had met, they and the trainer convinced me to give cow work a try on Rumba. So, I climbed aboard and held on tight. What a thrill!! Rumba took good care of me and from that day forward, I was hooked, both on the cow work and this beautiful horse. As the months went by when I would go to the trainer’s farm with my husband, I would ride Rumba as often as they would let me.
One day, they told me the story of Rumba. Rumba’s owner had passed away and the owner’s family was not able to care for him. He had been left in a small paddock with several other horses. His tail had been chewed off, he was thin, and desperate for a new home. He was eventually brought once again, to the trainer’s farm.
In the early Fall of 2015, I was given the opportunity to buy him. Of course, it took me a few seconds to decide, but there were many roadblocks due to his owner passing. For weeks I sat and wondered if Rumba would ever be mine.
My husband, unknown to me, had been working behind the scene this whole time. They had led me to believe the deal was just not possible, and Rumba would not be mine. On October 30, 2015, I arrived at the trainer’s farm. I went thinking I was going to say goodbye to Rumba. My husband, the trainer, and friends were hiding in the indoor arena, with Rumba. I had no idea. As I walked in, there was Rumba, with a big blue bow around his neck. He was mine!
This was without a doubt, one of the best surprises of my life! To be the new owner of such a special horse, is a horsewoman's dream come true.
For the next 9 months, we prepared for showing, and I would ride him as much as I could. He was always such a gentleman and knew his job well. I felt like I was dancing with him and he knew all the moves.
In May of 2016, I went to my very first horse show ever, and entered Rumba. I was nervous, of course, but Rumba said “I got this” and took care of me. We took 2nd place.
In September of 2016, Rumba tore a tendon in his front leg. It was considered severe. I was devastated. All I could think was that I would never be able to ride my beautiful Rumba ever again and certainly not to compete.
My husband, determined to get Rumba and I riding again, found an Equine Rehabilitation facility, KESMARC, in the Lexington, KY area. We drove Rumba up there and he was left to start therapy and rehab. No one had any idea of how long it would take, but we wanted my horse sound again and this was our best hope.
Rumba stayed in Rehab for six months, at which time he had healed and was deemed able to come home, for conditioning and light training. Rumba now lives full time on our farm practicing for the show pen, grazing in the pasture and enjoying his Mascot status.
As my equestrian real estate business is growing dramatically, horse shows allow me to network and meet new people. I felt it would be appropriate to make Rumba my Real Estate mascot. Both Rumba and I can help potential clients find that new horse farm they may be looking for. Additionally, Equine Homes by Kim Blanton participates and sponsors horse shows with class prizes and drawings. 
Rumba and I entered the show arena, in July of 2017, for the first time since his injury. He carried me to a First Place finish in my class. Rumba was back!
I have been amazed at how many people know who Rumba is and had seen him perform at past shows. It is very apparent that Rumba is a very special horse, even to those who only know him slightly.
Rumba and I look forward to helping equestrians find the perfect farm for their horse families.
If you or someone you know is looking for a horse farm or facility, and would like to inquire about Rumba’s Weekly Pasture Picks, please give us a call at 615-969-1460, or email Rumba at rumbadown@gmail.com You can also LIKE US on our Facebook page, REAL ESTATE FOR HORSE LOVERS
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