Ponies of the Track - Cisco: Amanda Ropar's Pride and Joy

For nearly ten years, Amanda Ropar has ponied racehorses. Since the age of fourteen, Ropar has traveled to various tracks all over California, as well as tracks in states such as Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, and Oregon. She has been aboard an abundance of horses in her lifetime, but in 2008, Ropar encountered the horse of her dreams.

A bay roan Quarter Horse gelding of nearly 16 hands, Hancocks Outlook – or simply Cisco – came into Ropar’s life when the pony horse she had been using was injured. In desperate need of a horse, she reached out to her best friend, who owned the stocky gelding. Although reluctant to sell the already proven racetrack pony, Ropar’s friend did just that, leaving Cisco in the hands of Ropar.

Cisco has established himself as an outstanding pony. With his size and stature, along with his attitude, the gelding refuses to take nonsense from any unruly racehorse.

“He’s quiet with the racehorses,” Ropar said. “Because he’s so big, they can’t really push him around. Especially when you have a really nervous one or one that wants to push or lay on top of your pony.”

Paired with his strength, Cisco’s trustworthiness has proven to be to one of his most important qualities as a track pony.

“I think probably the most interesting thing that happened to me with him is when my bridle broke,” Ropar said. “While ponying a mule, my bridle broke. . . In a way, it was [scary]. But he’s really good rein-broke and he’s the type of horse you can ride in a bosal; you can ride him in just a rope around his nose or even around his neck. So it wasn’t something that really shocked me. I wasn’t like, ‘Oh no, this is gonna turn out bad.’ I knew I had control of him.”

In nearly ten years of ponying, Ropar has worked with countless racehorses – from claimers to a Kentucky Derby winner. On several occasions during the morning, Ropar has had the opportunity to pony 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome.

“Chrome is one of the most extreme horses I’ve ponied and I’m glad I had the pleasure of ponying him,” Ropar said. “They’re all horses to me; they’re all excellent runners to me. I’ve never been like, ‘Oh my gosh, look who I get to pony!’ They’re all horses to me. They all have their different levels of racing. Yes, it’s amazing he won the Kentucky Derby and yes, I’m happy to pony that horse. I’m happy to have been a piece of history with him.”

But among the most special horses Ropar has ponied is Tough Sunday, a colt referred to as many as a miracle horse. Born deaf and blind, Tough Sunday could not have entered this world in a much more difficult manner. After a complicated foaling during which the bay son of Grazen and Sunday Dress was temporarily deprived of oxygen due to a separated umbilical cord, Tough Sunday was found to have a heart murmur and shortly thereafter became ill with pneumonia. As if the colt’s situation could not become any worse, the colt refused to nurse. Due to his many health complications, Tough Sunday spent nearly a month in the ICU as a young foal.

Now, however, Tough Sunday is a fully grown racehorse – and a promising one at that. Last December at Santa Anita, Tough Sunday broke his maiden in his third start, romping to a 6 ¾-length victory.  Most recently, he contested in the California Cup Derby. Despite a last-place finish in that event, hopes remain high for the colt. More than anything, the love for Tough Sunday is abundant.

Ropar has had the opportunity to work with Tough Sunday – trained by Steven Miyadi – regularly. In doing so, she has developed a bond with the three-year-old colt – and she’s not the only one.

“Toughy is an amazing horse,” Ropar said. “I love being around him. He’s so loving and wants the attention on him. He’s a very laid back horse; he doesn't act like a stud. And he’s in love with Cisco. Just to take Toughy to Los Alamitos to run, he wouldn’t load without Cisco in the trailer … I wouldn't trade Cisco or Toughy for anything in the world.”

Cisco has been quite the partner for Ropar – both on and off the track. While working, Cisco’s abilities make Ropar’s tough job easier. But perhaps it is the gelding’s disposition that is his most significant quality.

“He has personality,” Ropar said. “He’s like a human being. He’s like a child. He knows when you’re upset or he knows when you’re angry. Always, no matter what mood you’re in, he’ll always get a smile out of you.”

Cisco’s personality has allowed him to win over the hearts of many others on the track, as well. As a glutton for attention, the gelding wouldn’t want it any other way.

“He’s very wanting of attention,” Ropar said. “If you ignore him, he’ll sit there and nudge on you and sass you and pin his ears at you and push on you. His lip gets like a mile-long and he just rubs on you and tries to pull you closer to him. He’s just the biggest ham ever … He knows if you’re taking pictures of him or if there are people watching him. He will put on the charm and be the biggest ham and say, ‘Oh, look at me!’ He’ll start strutting and playing just to get anybody’s attention.”

Along with the attention Cisco receives comes an abundance of treats – and he is certainly not the kind of horse to turn them down.

“He loves candy, treats, watermelon, carrots, apples,” Ropar said. “He’s like a junk food junkie. He’ll eat just about anything you put in front of him … He loves RockStar. He loves Red Bull. He loves soda. I think his favorite thing he’s had that he’s taken from me is watermelon water. If he sees a watermelon, he goes nuts for a watermelon. He loves it.”

Although ponying is Cisco’s specialty, the versatile bay roan is capable of many activities. Ropar has used the gelding for various tasks and pastimes outside of ponying, including roping, barrel racing, trail riding, and riding on the beach.

“He’s the type of horse that you could do anything and everything on,” Ropar said. “He’s an all-around horse … I’ve done pretty much everything except for shoot a gun off of him. He’s an amazing animal.”

Most importantly, Cisco has been with Ropar through thick and thin. He has served as a valuable pony horse and even more cherished companion.

“He always puts a smile on my face,” Ropar said. “I don’t know what I’d do without him, truthfully. I’ve had maybe six or seven different pony horses, but Cisco tops everything.”