The fierce, fast and crowd favorite: Flexible

ProEquest is excited to bring you inside the world of a small (but mighty!) chestnut, Irish Draught Sport Horse Stallion, better known as Flexible. He is a crowd favorite wherever he goes and with Rich Fellers as his rider for the last 12 years, this Olympic mount, and World Cup Final (2012) winner isn’t quite ready to settle down. Rich had no shortage of words when it came to sharing about the 2012 USEF International Horse of the Year who has come further than anyone predicted. After recently winning the $55,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Sacramento (also an FEI World Cup Qualifier) against a competitive field of 35 international riders, the word “retirement” isn’t quite in the cards yet.

Flexible and Rich winning the $55.000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Sacramento for the third time! Photo Credit: Selena Frederick | Cheval Photos

Partnership of a lifetime. Photo Credit Selena Frederick | Cheval Photos

Horse Name: Flexible

Gender: Stallion

Breed: Irish Draught Sport Horse (Cruising x Flex)

Age: 18 years (foaled 1996)

Height: 16.0 hh

Color: Chestnut

Barn Name: Flexi

Owners: Harry and Molly Chapman

Rider: Rich Fellers (for 12 years)

PE: What was it that struck you about Flexible when you first saw him?

RF: I remember quite clearly, watching him come in the ring as a 6 year old. Obviously a high energy horse and I’ve always prefered hotter types - and he was a real athlete, it was obvious. He was competing in a show in Ireland and then purchased (by the Chapman’s) a week later. He jumped in a really athletic, elastic style and had lots of energy which I liked.  

A curious baby Flexi. Photo Credit: Carol Ives | Breeding Agent

PE: Describe Flexible as a young horse and now as a seasoned competitor today; how has he changed/matured in his career and personality?

RF: He’s basically the same but for sure matured and mellowed like most horses do. When we first purchased him, his first year especially, he was so energetic. It was a safety issue and a little on the dangerous side actually. He was difficult to get on and super sensitive, not sure if it’s a little bit of an irish thing because the few irish horses we’ve had have all been a little funny to get on. He would throw me off on a fairly regular basis. You’d swing your leg over and he would twists bucks, spin - that was the biggest and most obvious issue. Just real excitable which meant turnouts, the walker, everything was a potential hazard waiting to happen. He had numerous little ouchies due to his explosive, excitable nature, but those things have disappeared over the years and now he’s been so many places and seen so many things that his reaction isn’t as explosive as when he was young.

PE: What's your favorite thing about Flexible?

RF: His energy level and his enthusiasm; he is very enthusiastic and energetic. A quick example: when I jumped him yesterday morning in our covered ring, we typically start with some sort of gymnastic and then head outside to do a short course (1-2 courses) on grass field. We warmed up inside, jumped around and then went out into grass. He couldn’t even walk. He was prancing and dancing; he couldn’t wait! I absolutely love that about him, he craves the sport.

PE: Any quirks that are unique to Flexible?

RF: He doesn’t really have any. I guess getting on him was a quirk, which I still have to be smart about it. Generally, he’s really a sweet and kind horse, and he can’t help the fact that he’s full of energy. Flexi just enjoys everything, he’s not afraid of anything, the world is just so interesting to him.  We laugh all the time;  every stupid little thing you see the fascination in his eyes. He gets excited and that excited feeling isn’t combined with explosions as much. But the excitement is a big part of what keeps him going at his age (18 years). He just lifts his head and perks his ears at everything that moves and it’s all fun for him.

PE: Biggest/most memorable win on Flexi and why?

RF: It would be the 2012 World Cup Finals (‘s-Hertogenbosch) that was - I just can’t even...I think about it, I get goosebumps, he was just so amazing that whole week, and to cap it off with the jump off for the title, that was a once in a lifetime for me, I don’t anticipate that happening again in my life.

Flexible and Rich in their winning round at the 2012 World Cup Finals (‘s-Hertogenbosch) Photo Credit Susan Stickle/ Phelpssports.com

Rich + Trophy. Photo Credit: Susan Stickle/ Phelpssports.com

PE: What has Flexible taught you over the years you've had him?

RF: The biggest thing I’ve learned would be patience. Patience with everything; patience with his excitability and injuries (really huge). He’s taught me over and over (more than I want to talk about) that if you’re patient and do the right thing and believe that any injury can heal, regardless what very skilled professionals might say, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t overcome them. Learning to WAIT, be patient until they come right.

Fun Facts: Flexi’s favorite treats are red and white peppermints. According to Rich “he goes nuts over those things. There’s always a stack of them in the cross-ties; the girls always buy them for him at the shows.

Flexible is also a Breyer Horse! 

Rich and his wife Shelley Fellers with Flexi and his Breyer. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Shelley Fellers

Rich isn’t the only one who rides Flexible. His son Chris Fellers, or a staff member will hop on him usually for his 2nd ride of the day (if and when they are preparing for a show/competition) which typically consists of walk/trot and or trail rides.

Thank you Rich for sharing about your horse of a lifetime Flexible. Wishing you both, and the rest of the RFS Team, all the best in this next season. Go Flexi!