Kvicka Vera—three years old, with a finely marked coat and a presence that seemed to ask questions before they were spoken. Her markings were striking: bold patches over a rich bay base, with intelligent, inquisitive eyes that watched Jonas the moment he stepped through the gate.
Bred from performance lines, Vicki had the pedigree to match her looks. Standing at 147 cm, she was compact and athletic, with clean limbs, a strong hindquarter, and a naturally uphill build. But it wasn’t just her conformation that caught Jonas’s eye—it was the way she moved across the ground: effortless, rhythmical, and full of spring.
He asked to see her trot out, and as she moved, light on her feet, he could already picture her under saddle, her paces developing into something special. She was unbroken at the time, but well-handled and bold, curious rather than cautious, and already showing signs of the same sharp mind and trainability Jonas valued in his competition ponies.
There was something else too—an energy, a spark. She wasn’t wild or flighty, but she had opinions, presence, and just enough cheek to make her interesting. Vera was not a pony who would simply blend into a herd. She had charisma.
The decision didn’t take long. After a careful veterinary check and a few days to consider, Jonas returned to Småland with a trailer and brought Kvicka Vera home.
But no amount of precision or insistence could bend her completely to his will. She was bold, curious, and at times defiant. She didn’t resist out of malice—she simply refused to be forced into something she didn’t understand or trust. Jonas tried his usual methods: firm routines, exacting expectations, constant reinforcement. But Kvicka Vera tested him, pushed back, and reminded him that brilliance could not be rushed.
Finally, frustrated and unwilling to risk breaking her spirit, Jonas turned to Shariif Faandhe. He matched her intelligence with respect, acknowledging her opinions while gently encouraging her to explore and respond.
Kvicka Vera’s transformation was subtle but profound. Under Jonas, she had been a brilliant but testing partner—demanding and reactive. Under Shariif, she became confident, attentive, and willing, retaining all her natural talent without the edge of frustration. Jonas’s pride in her didn’t diminish; if anything, it grew as he watched Shariif unlock the trust and balance she had refused to give before.