Celebrity Horse News and Bios
Madonna loves horses
Despite Madonna's now notorious fall from a horse in 2005 that left the pop singer with multiple injuries including a broken hand, a broken collarbone and three cracked ribs, Madonna loves horses. In 2009, Madonna purchased a $10 million equestrian property in the trendy Hamptons. The property does not boast a home for the Material Girl, but it does have room for up to 30 horses and sports an indoor and outdoor arena.
Also in 2009, Madonna, two of her beloved horses, all-rounder Boris and young eventing horse Sportsfield Silver Lining and top British event rider, Daisy Trayford, traveled to Palm Beach, Florida to attend the month-long Wellington's Equestrian Festival. Daisy Trayford had been Madonna's consistent riding coach for the two years before the event. Typical breeds of eventing are thoroughbred horses and arabian horses.
Even while on tour and fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother and wife, Madonna fits in instruction time to improve her riding. When asked about Madonna's abilities Trayford said, "She's really good fun and very driven, listens to what you say and just wants to do it and improve. You can always get somewhere with someone like that." The trainer and singer met when Madonna purchased two horses from trainer. The sacrifices Madonna has made in her schedule and the punishment her body has taken over the years surely attest to her genuine love of horses.
Richard Gere's Appaloosa Horses
Richard Gere, the star of countless classic movies such as Pretty Woman (1990), An Officer and a Gentlemen (1982) and recently Brooklyn's Finest (2009) is one celebrity that is passionate about horseback riding. The Buddhist, movie star, and philanthropist has been spotted around the world exploring exotic locations such as Machu Piccu, Peru on the back of a horse with his wife and family.
While he is comfortable on nearly all horse breeds, Gere's and his wife Carey Lowell own four Appaloosas which hold a special place with him. The Appaloosas are from a group of the first horses selectively bred in North America by the Nez Perce tribes of the Northwest. The horse characteristics of this breed that they are best known for is their leopard-spotted pattern of the coats on their backs. Gere is deeply involved in the "Chief Joseph Foundation", a charitable organization that preserves the culture of the Nez Perce while helping get kids involved in horseback riding programs.