When Stacey Sather and her 12-year-old daughter, Caroline, purchased Wildcard, affectionately known as “Hawk,” in 2024, they didn’t just bring home a promising jumper, they brought home a living piece of equine history. Wildcard, a 2014 gelding (Ahneen x Willow) is an Ojibwe/Thoroughbred cross and one of just over 200 known Ojibwe horses in existence today, a rare representative of a breed whose survival once hung by a thread.
A Spirit Horse Nearly Lost
The Ojibwe horse, also known as the Lac La Croix pony, originated in the Great Lakes region of North America. Herds of Ojibwe horses lived alongside Indigenous communities for generations. These sturdy, gentle horses roamed semi-wild in the warmer months and, in the winter, worked closely with the Anishinaabe people, a large indigenous group that encompasses the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes of North America. Their duties included pulling toboggans, hauling wood, and assisting in daily survival tasks. Their role was not merely functional; they were regarded as spiritual companions and trusted partners.
By the 1970s, however, the breed was pushed to the brink of extinction. The Canadian government deemed the remaining horses a nuisance and planned to remove them entirely. With only a few left, the breed’s future hung in the balance.
The Indigenous community intervened with extraordinary determination. They rescued the last four mares and transported them across a frozen lake to safety in Minnesota. Once there, the team carefully strategized their breeding plan, beginning with a Spanish mustang, to save the breed from disappearing entirely.
Today, just over 200 registered Ojibwe horses exist across Canada and the United States, a small but meaningful resurgence.
Organizations such as The Human Horse continue to champion the preservation of these “spirit horses,” working to return them to their ancestral homelands and reconnect them with Indigenous communities throughout North America.
Wildcard is part of that story.
A Partnership Begins
Before she met “Hawk,” Caroline was an avid competitor in the hunter ring and frequent flyer at the USEF Pony Finals each year. As she prepared to transition into jumpers, the long, often exhausting horse search led the Sather family to Ontario, Canada, where a listing for a unique looking horse introduced them to the gelding that would soon become Caroline’s four-legged best friend.
From the moment they met him, Wildcard’s temperament set him apart. “He was sweet from the get-go,” Caroline said. “When you’re around him, you just feel relaxed and calm.”
Caroline’s bond with Wildcard extends far beyond the ring. Some of her favorite moments with him happen away from the spotlight, wrapped in blankets, nestled in the corner of her pony’s stall. She reads to him, a ritual that centers them both. Wildcard stands quietly beside her, ears flicking forward as if listening to her every word.
“I really like to just hang out with him,” Caroline said. Her mother agrees, noting that Wildcard looks for Caroline the moment she enters the barn. “He really likes Caroline’s company,” Stacey said. “She’s so hands on with him, and he nickers for her every morning when she arrives. He definitely knows we’re his family.”
One thing the Sathers found unique about Wildcard was his markings. In keeping with the traditional primitive marks of an Ojibwe pony, Wildcard has zebra-like marks on his forehead and “tiger stripes” on his legs.
Caroline’s mother recalled the first time she saw him and noticed the marks. “When you look at him, you know there’s something special about him,” Stacey recalled. “His confirmation and overall presence are very much in keeping with the Ojibwe breed.” For the Sather family, who trace their own roots back to Canada, that connection to the northern breed felt especially meaningful.
Among the Ojibwe people, naming a horse is a meaningful act. Names are chosen with intention, often reflecting the spirit or path the horse is believed to carry. Wildcard was originally known as “Hawk,” a name his breeder chose because she felt he had a watchful eye and a long journey ahead of him. By the time the Sather family met him, he had been named Leroy. Wanting to honor his heritage, they began what became a long and in-depth process to uncover his original name. When they finally learned it and started calling him Hawk again, he perked up immediately, clearly recognizing the name as his own.
As the only Ojibwe pony competing at the 2025 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships, he naturally attracted attention. The Sather family saw this moment as far more than a competitive milestone. They embraced the opportunity to educate fellow competitors and spectators about the history and cultural significance of the Ojibwe horse.
“I think they’re a really special breed,” Caroline said. “Everyone should know about them as they’re an important part of equine history.”
In the ring, Wildcard brings the same heart and work ethic that helped define his breed. He and Caroline delivered a standout performance at the USEF Pony Finals, winning the Large/1.05M Individual Championship Phase I and securing third place in the Large/1.05M Team Championship, an impressive showing against a competitive field of 71 combinations.
Their achievements throughout the season culminated in national recognition at the 2025 SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards, where they were honored with the 2025 USEF Pony Jumper National Reserve Champion Award.
“I’m really proud of him and I feel that he is also proud of himself,” Caroline said. “This was my first national award and I hope to do well again with him this year.”
Even amid their competitive success, Caroline remains deeply connected to the history behind her horse’s breeding. Knowing that Wildcard is one of only a limited number of Ojibwe horses in existence, she carries a strong sense of responsibility with every ride. She hopes that by highlighting Wildcard’s talent, more riders will consider exploring lesser-known breeds, just as she discovered her once-in-a-lifetime partner in a rare spirit horse from the north.