09/10/2026
OUTTA THE ASHES “PHOENIX” — AVAILABLE OCTOBER 31ST 🔥
4-Year-Old Mustang Gelding | 2026 Bluegrass Mustang Makeover Challenge
If you're looking for a horse who is quiet, willing, athletic, curious, and absolutely convinced that everything is his next big adventure — meet Phoenix.
Phoenix is a 4-year-old Mustang gelding who will be offered for sale following the Bluegrass Mustang Makeover on October 31st. He has approximately 120 days of training and human interaction under his belt and has an impressive resume for a horse his age and experience level.
🏆 WHAT PHOENIX CAN DO:
✔️ Halter & lead at the walk and trot
✔️ Lunge at all three gaits
✔️ Stop & back on the lead
✔️ Set up on the lead
✔️ Saddle & bridle
✔️ Mount & dismount from both sides
✔️ Ride ba****ck
✔️ Ride in town
✔️ Carry flags
✔️ has carried kids
✔️ Trick riding
✔️ Rodeo Grand Entry
✔️ Drill-team safe
✔️ Parade safe
✔️ Pickup-race safe
✔️ Open & close gates
✔️ Swing a rope & throw a ball
✔️ Cross tarps, bridges, poles & water
✔️ Pedestal work
✔️ Drag obstacles
✔️ Jump
✔️ Been shot off of
✔️ Obstacles moved around on his body
✔️ Comfortable around a sound system
✔️ Load in both straight & slant trailers
✔️ Tie & stand tied
✔️ Some liberty work
✔️ Bow
✔️ Jump on & off
✔️ Crawl underneath
✔️Rode to Sonic & Carried food & Drinks Back
✔️Has had Ciro & message therapy
✔️ Been to vendor events, church functions, school visits & more
✔️ Tolerates fly spray, grooming, bathing, trims, shoes, fly masks & blankets
And honestly, there are probably things we've done that I've forgotten to put on this list. 😂
And because apparently we weren't keeping ourselves busy enough, we're currently working on ring-of-fire, pyro, laying down, dropping his head, pool noodles, cowboy curtains, harness/cart work, cows, clippers and hula hoops.
Not because Phoenix needs to learn how to do circus tricks to be a good horse…
But because the obstacles he already knows are starting to bore him. 😂
🧠 WHAT MAKES PHOENIX SPECIAL?
Honestly, that's the hardest question.
He LOVES to learn.
Phoenix is extremely willing and has a fantastic thinking brain. Give him something new, let him process it, and he genuinely wants to figure it out.
He's easy-going, laid-back, quiet and curious, with just enough personality to let you know when he has an opinion. He's not what I'd call sassy—he's just a little quirky and will occasionally give you a hilarious look that says, “Are you sure this is necessary?”
Then he does it anyway.
And I'll be completely honest—I don't get emotionally attached to sale horses very often, but Phoenix is probably going to be the exception. I have a feeling there will be a few tears shed when this guy finds his person in October. If I had the space, I would hands-down, 100% be buying this guy back myself.
I truly believe that if you have a dream of doing something horse-related, Phoenix will give you everything he has trying to do it with you. Whether that's showing, mounted shooting, playdays, trick riding, ranch work, trail riding, or something completely different, I think this horse is going to be the kind that makes you want to keep finding the next thing to try.
🎯 WHAT I SEE IN HIS FUTURE:
🤠 All-Around Show Horse
🎯 Mounted Shooting Horse
🏇 Speed/Playday Horse
🏆 Arena Performance Horse
🐴 Youth/Family Performance Partner
I especially think Phoenix would thrive with a kid or rider who wants to try EVERYTHING—someone who wants a horse they can continue developing, introduce to new events and build into their own special partner.
He is not being represented as a finished, push-button horse. He's young, he's a Mustang, and he's still learning. He will need a confident rider who understands that and is willing to continue building on the foundation already established.
🔥 A FEW EXTRAS FOR PHOENIX'S NEW PERSON
Phoenix won't be leaving empty-handed!
His new owner will receive:
🐴 A custom halter from Arrow S Custom Designs
🌾 A bag of Tribute Equine Nutrition Kalm ‘N EZ feed, generously donated by Cleaver Farm & Home
A new set of shoes by Sunflower Horseshoeing
(They will be put on the week of the show)
And because I want to make finding the right home a little easier, if Phoenix is purchased by someone between Kentucky and Kansas who is along my route home from the Makeover, I will personally deliver him or meet you along my route.
That's one less thing for his new person to worry about—and one more excuse for me to make sure he gets where he's supposed to go. ❤️
But if you're looking for a horse with a good brain, a huge willingness to learn, an easy-going personality and a ridiculous amount of potential…
🔥 Phoenix might be your guy.
The hard part isn't getting Phoenix to try.
The hard part is coming up with something he hasn't already figured out.
🔥 OUTTA THE ASHES — PHOENIX
📅 Available following the Bluegrass Mustang Makeover Freestyle Event During the sale — October 31, 2026
Serious inquiries welcome. Additional videos, information and updates available through the Rafter J Equine & Cattle pages.
Be fearless. Believe in yourself. Dream big. Never give up. 🔥
