Fernhill Fugitive might not be an appropriate moniker for Phillip Dutton’s 2015 Pan American Games mount. Luckily for Emma Ford, who cares for him on the road and at home at True Prospect Farm in West Grove, Pa., he’s not a bandit or a troublemaker. 

Plain bay and unassuming, “Jack” isn’t the kind of horse that’ll make you stop in awe. He stands 16.3 hands, but he doesn’t look it. He might not have fancy white markings that scream, ‘Look at me;’ instead he lets his results do the talking. 

Since making his one-star debut in 2011, the Irish Sport Horse (Lux Z—Barnadown Ramiro, Ramiro B) owned by Tom Tierney and Ann Jones has been waiting on the outskirts—placing in the top 10 in 13 of 21 FEI starts. He won the Lexington CIC*** (Va.) in 2013 and was second in the 2014 Jersey Fresh International CCI*** (N.J.).

He had his four-star debut in April’s Rolex Kentucky CCI**** and finished ninth, making a case for himself to be named to the Pan Am eventing team.

The Pan Ams will be his first team appearance, but he’s got veteran Phillip Dutton in the irons to guide him. 

Here’s what you need to know about Jack: 

• He’s a curious horse. When he noticed us standing outside of his stall chatting about him, he came over to check things out. Once he got his attention though, he was very content to return to his hay. Turns out we weren’t as interesting as he’d hoped.
• He might be 10 years old now and have four-star under his belt, but he’ll always be the baby. He sports a small ‘fro’ of a forelock, which is one of the many reasons he still holds the nickname “Baby Jack.”

• Though he’s a steady character most of the time, you don’t want to be caught texting on your phone and unaware of your surroundings. He’s been known to spin unexpectedly on the ground and in the tack.

  “I always tell the girls to be careful and watch him because he does have a spin,” Ford said. “There have been a few times when he’s come out of the woods without a rider.”

• He’s an experienced traveler, but his one vice is that he likes his space when he trailers. “We learned our lesson, and now he always travels in a double stall,” Ford said.
• While he was staying in Virginia prior to the Pan Ams, he had a sign posted outside of his stall warning visitors not to feed him anything without checking with Emma first. He can’t have a lot of extra sugar, so he’s restricted on what treats he can have (Strictly carrots, but he loves them!).

  His hay is soaked daily to reduce the amount of sugar he ingests, and he’s on limited turnout when the grass is rich. Not to worry though! The True Prospect crew makes sure he gets plenty of time outside.

• Better make sure you come prepared with a carrot if you want to catch him though. He can be a bit of a bugger when it comes to being caught. Picking up bits of grass just won’t do either—he knows!—and he wants the good stuff.

Fernhill Fugitive and Emma Ford

• Heat and humidity are not his friends. “The one thing I will say is that in [the Virginia] heat I’ve had a hard time finding a girth that doesn’t rub. In Pennsylvania and Aiken it’s not a problem, but he’s sensitive to the heat,” Ford said.
• He loves humans, canines and other equines alike, but donkeys are terrifying. “Phillip’s daughters have miniature donkeys, and he’s terrified of them,” said Ford. The donkeys live close to the house and everyone knows to keep Jack away from them.
• Co-owner Annie Jones is one of his best friends. According to Ford, she’s out constantly to give him attention. “She comes out to walk him and let him graze,” Ford said. “She doesn’t ride him because of the spin, but she loves him.”
• All the Pan Am attention has gotten to his head. His only other stable mate who traveled to Virginia was Fernhill Cubalawn, so he’s gotten more individualized attention. And he LOVES it!
• “I’m ready for my close up,” just might be his motto. He’s an absolute ham when it comes to the camera. Pull it out, and it’s ears up and best foot forward.