Jewel's Story

When you read this story, you will recognize immediately that the mare that this story centers around, is very special. The miracle that she is still with us performing her pleasures to her riders is a wonder. But how this mare brought breeders together is also amazing.

The story begins with the birth of Alexus Imperial at Betsy Bowen’s farm in 1992. Glenda and George Piasecki of Wimauma, Florida, were visiting Betsy and studying the bloodlines of her horses. They made a statement after their research, that if Seda de Omega, a Top Ten Dam, full Puerto Rican who was in foal to Alicante, a multi-top Ten Sire who also was full Puerto Rican and held titles there in Fino and Bella Forma, had a filly, they wanted to buy her. She had a filly that Betsy named Alexus and at three and a half months, Alexus was brought to her new home at Living Water Ranch. Betsy brought both Seda and Alexus together so that the filly would have a lasting good memory of trailers and they were put into a huge foaling stall to rest from the trip. Alexus was more interested in her new play mates in the adjourning paddock than her mother so when she was eventually moved over next to her mom, she abandoned her dam and went off to play with her new friends. This in itself made her unique to all involved.

In May, 1993, she started showing whelps on her body that looked like hives. After numerous tests, it was found that she was allergic to Florida’s little publicized pest, the “No See-Ums”. Smaller than a mosquito, they could go through any gear that could be put on Alexus so she spent her nights in the barn, when the No See-Ums were out and her days in the pastures. She was use to the routine which included George and Glenda’s granddaughter, Katie, at age two, hitching a ride on Alexus’ back. Alexus was a typical yearling, wanting to do everything BUT walk calmly to the barn except when she had Katie on her back. She then would walk so quietly and calmly, that everyone visiting the farm was astonished.

Betty Klein called George and Glenda to ask if they would sell any of their Alicante stock as she had depleted her stock selling them to Europe. The offer was declined until October, 1994, when George was laid off after 22 years as an electrical engineer. Unemployment and 18 horses were not a good combination.

Glenda explained to Betty that Alexus had an allergy to No See-Ums but not mosquitoes and that she was NOT trained at all. Betty said she had mosquitoes the size of Texas on her ranch but no No See-Ums and she wasn’t interested in training her as she wanted her solely for a broodmare. The deal was made.

Immediately, Betty renamed the mare Alicante’s Heavenly Jewel and called her Jewel for short. Sam and Gail Larson purchased Jewel’s first foal, Dancing Angel Mako and fell in love with Jewel. They asked Betty to sell her to them but she would not. That was in 1997. Jewel continued to give Betty gorgeous babies every year until Betty’s death.

A short time after Betty’s death, Spud Maulsby, who was in charge of selling Betty’s stock, called Glenda to ask if she wanted to repurchase Jewel. Glenda told Spud she wanted her but Jewel needed to be out of Florida and out of the reach of No See-Ums.

Spud went to Nationals that year, not only showing his horses but trying to find the right people for Betty’s horses. He started his search with Marcia Carrico, who specialized in Pure Puerto Rican Pasos. He told her about Jewel and wondered if she would be interested in purchasing her. One look at Alexus’ bloodlines, she didn’t think twice but jumped on the opportunity. She also wanted to purchase Barcelona Alicante Mako, an awesome well trained gelding out of Alicante who was known as Bart.

Well, Sam and Gail Larson and George and Glenda exchanged Christmas cards and talked on the phone since Betty’s death. Though never having met, they were united together because of their love for Alicante’s offspring. Sam had voiced to Glenda that he had tried to buy Dream Girl Mako from Betty’s son after her death but the price was too steep. Glenda told him to call Spud immediately as Spud was now selling her herd. When Sam and Gail went to Florida to pick up Dream Girl, they wanted to buy Jewel and Bart but were too late. Marcia and Bob had already bought them at Nationals and was on their way to pick them up.

Obtaining Jewel, made Marcia and Bob search for a suitable full Puerto Rican stallion to compliment her bloodlines and conformation. They went to Puerto Rico with their Spanish speaking friend, Franki Kalivoda (an announcer for PFHA shows throughout the USA) and chose Labriego, a Fino Island Champion. And their choice was a great one. Jewel and Labriego produced two outstanding foals Carrielle de CdC and Carrianna de CdC who both have been shown successfully.

In the meantime, Marcia and Bob rode Jewel on trail, who took everything in stride but had difficultly at first on her cues. This puzzled Marcia but since Jewel showed a willing spirit, there was no problem.

It was time for the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City and Glenda was working the PFHA booth with Katie, her granddaughter. Al brought by a fellow breeder who took pictures of Glenda, Katie and the booth. All Glenda remembered was that his name was Bob and he got her address so he could mail her copies of the pictures.

Glenda, who was always partial to pure Puerto Rican Pasos and had given Alicante his slogan “Paso Fino Perfection, Pure Puerto Rican Satisfaction”, was surfing the net and looked up pure Puerto Rican websites. On one of the sites, a striking looking mare took her by surprise as she was sure it was Alexus. She called PFHA and asked what Alexus’ name had been changed to and sure enough, that striking mare was Jewel! She was so regal looking and had only got more beautiful. Glenda immediately picked up the phone and called the owner, Marcia Carrico. Marcia was excited to talk to Glenda as she wanted to know, “WHO trained Jewel?” A long silence followed with Glenda responding, “No one! No one had ever been on her back but our two year old granddaughter! And I know Betty never trained her.” Marcia was stunned! Here she had “assumed” she was trained so put on a saddle and took her out. . .never did Jewel indicate any resistence except for not knowing her cues. NEVER had either breeder heard of such in their careers. But then something more comical happened.

Marcia called to her husband to share the news and he asked who she was talking to. Marcia replied, “Glenda Piasecki from Florida who use to own Jewel.” Her husband, quickly replied, “Tell Glenda her pictures are in the mail and one is being published by PFHW!” Marcia told Glenda, who asked, “WHO is your husband and what pictures?” Small World! Marcia’s husband was “Bob” at the Florida Strawberry Festival!

Since Sam and Gail Larson had always been interested in Jewel and Bob and Marcia found themselves out of stalls, they offered her to them. Because Jewel was 10 months pregnant, they immediately hooked up their trailer and went to North Carolina from Pennsylvania to get her, only to face a snow storm on the way home. Consequently when Jewel foaled a filly shortly thereafter, they named her April Storm.

Three groups of breeders from three different parts of the country communicating all over a mare named Jewel! Feeling ever so connected though the Piasecki family has not met the Larsons or Marcia. All friends keeping in touch through the internet and phone calls drawn by one mare. . .and the story only becomes more unbelievable!

When Sam purchased Jewel, he called Glenda to tell her. A common love of one horse! Free from No See-Ums, Jewel was perfect, UNTIL. . .

After delivering April Storm in 2005, they weaned April in the fall but in February 2006 noticed Jewel’s udder was starting to swell. Immediately the vet came to look and she was treated for mastitis and a uterine infection. She spent ten days in the equine hospital. Shortly thereafter, the swelling increased so two additional vets were contacted and once again, treated for severe mastitis. Through all this treatment, Jewel never complained. She was ridden lightly on the advice of the vets to hopefully reduce the swelling. The udder continued to grow. Gail and Sam knew in their hearts something more was going on but got no answers in their search. They knew they were running out of time for Jewel.

One day while scanning the internet for answers, Gail contacted someone at New Bolton Surgery Department at a large veterinary teaching hospital. When she talked to a vet there, he said it could possibly be a cancerous tumor. He said that this was not a common thing but it was a possibility. He recommended they contact a vet in Western Pennsylvania who specialized in reproduction. Gail contacted them and Dr. Zeliff went to the farm to collect a core sample. It came back negative but Dr. Zeliff was not satisfied with the result so contacted two additional vets and Dr. Jackson from the Equine Specialty Hospital in Aurora, OH. He was familiar with this and that it was very likely a tumor. He agreed to see Jewel and surgery was scheduled immediately for November 7, 2006. She had a radical mastectomy with the tumor weighing in at 16 pounds! The size of a soccer ball. But her outlook was very favorable though the tumor was cancerous.

Caring for Jewel was a full time job after bringing her home. She had to be hosed two times a day and Sam and Gail’s 13 year old granddaughter, Aireanna, assisted with the care. By late March, 2007, all was healed and they were able to start riding her again. All the while, Sam had kept George and Glenda, Bob and Marcia apprised of her condition!

Aireanna participates in 4H program and was planning on showing Dream Girl in competition. One month before the show, Dream Girl came up lame with the treatment being sixty days of stall rest. The 4H Roundup was in thirty days. So it was decided to give Jewel a try. A horse with NO formal training who was used for trail and beginner riding and a horse who had miraculously survived cancer. Aireanna and Gail started working with her almost daily teaching her to back, stay on the rail and work with cues and leg. She also had to be taught to show in 4H halter. Three weeks later, they took her to a warm up show on her first time in the ring. She took 4^th in Halter and 6^th in pleasure. This was a show of mostly Quarter Horses. Jewel was the only Paso Fino on the grounds but she was becoming the “Show Queen” (and at 15 years of age) and she loved the attention but was a little nervous about all the other “strange looking” horses.

Gail and Aireanna worked hard putting the finishing touches on Jewel. With very large classes and a lot of youth participation, Jewel and Aireanna’s first call was Halter Class and they placed 4^th. The next, Equitation, they placed 2^nd. The final class was Pleasure. Jewel entered the ring so elegantly and proudly that it bought tears to all who knew her story. When Aireanna and Jewel placed FIRST, the crowd cheered. This was the horse with 30 days training just coming off a radical mastectomy. Many asked to purchase this mare and the answer is always, “Not for sale!”

There are horses in our lives that truly touch your soul. Jewel has touched the souls of all of her owners (past and present) and all her new fans she has acquired along her rough trail. To see her elegance and beauty is one thing but to see her soul is another. Glenda Piasecki wrote a tribute to Jewel’s sire, Alicante, “You were perfection. You were a love. Your 15.2 black bay frame held a heart of gold and your chiseled face with small curved ears outlined the expressive eyes that were truly the windows of your soul.” Jewel epitomizes her sire and her forefathers. But has triumphed over tragedy with victory and grace that is found only in a heart of gold. She is an example of hope for not only the equine world but the humans as well. Those who have owned her can attest to that. One mare has made the Paso Fino Horse world, indeed a “small world”.