The idea for Gold to Blue started forming in March of 2015 on a family birthday trip to Ireland for St.Patrick’s day. It just so happened that the Goresbridge Spring Sale was happening that same week. After much convincing by Carrie, the whole family made a day trip to the auction ‘just for the experience’.
It was no surprise that Carrie spotted a special horse, fell in love, and won the highest bid. Now what!?
Patrica Hoey and her family who were kind enough to meet and show us around that day, stepped in to help us figure out all of the logistics involved with the new horse and getting it back to the States. From that day forward, Patricia became a core member of the team.
Fast forward a year, and another trip to Ireland where Patricia introduced Carrie to the wonderful breeders at Birchill Stables. Everyone trekked into the fields to see the new group of foals and young horses growing up.
It didn’t take long before a small dark 3yo Connemara Gelding, Jack, ran up to Carrie in the field and put his nose to her face. Carrie didn’t know anything about the breed or Jack, but knew that he would be a part of her life from that moment on.
The first horses to be bought and sold under Gold to Blue, were mainly Irish Sport horses who were amateur friendly or upper level prospects.
In early 2018, Carrie found herself without a horse to ride and remembered the adorable Connemara in Ireland who had stolen her heart years before. After learning he was still available, she jumped on the opportunity, bought, and imported him soon after.
As Carrie and Jack’s partnership formed over the next few years, her mission became one to help more people learn about and have access to the Connemara breed. Small horses are somewhat stigmatized and looked down upon in the States but Carrie hopes to change that one Connemara at a time.
