Two Old Friends

Longtime Downunder Horsemanship photographer Darrell Dodds captured this shot of Mindy and Diez enjoying retirement at the ranch. With life on the road and in the spotlight behind them, the Australian Quarter Horse mare and bay gelding enjoy life on the ranch “just being horses.” They’re turned out in lush pastures 24/7 unless the weather gets dicey. When weather conditions become unfavorable, they’re brought into the barn and put in box stalls.

While Mindy oversees the yearling fillies, ensuring they learn to respect their elders and mind their Ps and Qs, Diez spends his days perusing the pasture and dozing under shade trees, often with his buddy Phoenix at his side.

“Mindy is very much the matriarch and makes sure everyone tows the line accordingly,” Clinton says. “As for Diez, there’s nothing more that horse loves to do than mosey around the pasture grazing. He’s been dreaming of retirement for a while now.”

The impact Mindy and Diez have had in horsemen’s lives and building Downunder Horsemanship is extraordinary. “I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me and all of the horsemen of the world. Their willingness to help me share the Method throughout the years has been second to none,” Clinton says. “Here’s to Mindy and Diez and a long, happy life!”