10/04/2026
⭐ UPDATED ASKING AMOUNT — $12,500 ⭐
PAPPY VAN WINKLE — “WINK”
2015 Double-Registered Rocky Mountain & Kentucky Mountain Gelding
14.2 Hands | Black with White Markings
Cynthiana, Kentucky
If you’re looking for a seasoned, naturally smooth trail horse with a willing attitude and plenty of real-world experience, Wink deserves a serious look.
Pappy Van Winkle, better known as “Wink,” was born April 15, 2015. He is a striking black gelding with two white hind socks, white on both front pasterns—one full and one partial—and a star, stripe, and snip. He is double registered with the Rocky Mountain Horse Association and Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association and stands approximately 14.2 hands tall.
We’ve adjusted Wink’s asking amount to $12,500 as we make another focused effort to find the right match for him. Nothing about Wink has changed—only the number. We’re comfortable keeping him through the winter if needed, so we aren’t looking for a quick placement. However, if the right person is looking now, we’re willing to have a reasonable conversation.
Wink has many miles of trail experience in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee. He is dependable riding alone or in groups of any size and is comfortable traveling in the front, middle, or back. He will willingly leave the group when asked and rides quietly both away from and back to the barn. He has also been taken on several overnight camping trips.
On the trail, Wink will cross water, logs, mud, ditches, and navigate rocky and steep terrain. He stands quietly when the group stops for a break, carries saddlebags, and side-passes to an aid to make mounting easier. We have ridden him while vehicles and small farm equipment passed nearby, and he did not react. Based on what we have personally observed, we consider him safe around traffic and small farm equipment.
Wink is about as close to 50/50 “whoa and go” as a horse can be. He is happy to walk quietly on a loose rein, but he will willingly move out when called upon. He walks, naturally gaits, and canters. His gait is smooth, easy to find, and easy to maintain. If pushed faster than his gait, he may break out of it, but a simple check of the reins puts him right back where he belongs.
He direct reins better than he neck reins and moves very well from leg pressure. He is a willing partner who pays attention to his rider and tries to do what is asked of him. Whether he has been ridden daily, weekly, or after a couple of weeks off, he has consistently been the same horse for us.
We consider Wink best suited for a confident beginner through an intermediate rider. We don’t describe him as completely “dead quiet” because he will occasionally look at something unfamiliar. However, we have not had him truly spook, startle, or become upset. A cluck and a leg cue are generally all it takes for him to continue quietly. He has remained even-keeled throughout the nearly two years he has been back with us. Having said that, if you know us, we will always err on the side of caution and never try to oversell a horse. In all likelihood, he will fit most riders as long as they can ride and not just be a passenger.
Wink will willingly leave a group, but like many horses, he does not enjoy being left far behind. If the other horses ride away, he may pull against the bit in an effort to catch up. We redirect him into a few circles, after which he settles and returns to the group quietly.
We have never witnessed Wink buck, rear, bolt, kick, bite, or pull back while tied.
On the ground, Wink stands quietly to saddle, bridle, bathe, tie, mount, and dismount. He stands well for the farrier and will load in virtually any trailer configuration, including stock, straight-load, slant-load, side-load, rear-load, ramp, and step-up trailers. He also backs off easily.
Wink can occasionally be harder to catch when turned out with a large group of horses. He is generally easier to catch when alone or with only a few pasture mates, especially when encouraged with a little feed.
He gets along well with other horses and falls near the middle of the herd. He can be more assertive when grain is fed in a group setting, but we haven’t seen an issue when horses are sharing free-choice hay.
Wink is an easy keeper who currently lives on pasture 24/7 with a small amount of ration balancer. He is keg shod and current on his Coggins, vaccinations, dental care, deworming, and farrier care.
In the interest of complete transparency, Wink has visible scarring on both hind pasterns. The original scar is on the inside of his left hind pastern and resulted from a fence-wire accident before he came to us. He was treated at Park Equine Hospital following that accident and was cleared to return to work after healing. We were unable to obtain the original veterinary records.
The more recent scar is on the outside of his right hind pastern and resulted from an injury that occurred in the pasture while he was in our care. We aren’t certain how the injury occurred, but it was treated and healed. We have not observed either previous injury affecting Wink’s soundness, comfort, gait, or movement. Both areas are shown openly in his photographs and full video.
Wink wasn’t born or raised at Stillwater Farm & Arena, but he isn’t a horse we purchased simply to resell. His previous owner was a longtime family friend who bought him as a weanling and kept him as her personal pleasure and trail horse throughout his life. We first helped with Wink’s early training several years ago so she could return to riding.
Following her passing, Wink was entrusted to our care and we were asked to find the right next home for him. He has now been back with us for nearly two years, giving us the opportunity to ride him extensively and get to know him well.
Our reputation and the long-term success of the horses we place matter far more to us than making a quick transaction. We’ve tried to describe Wink as honestly and accurately as possible, including his many strengths and the few things a prospective buyer should know. One of the best compliments we’ve ever received was a message from a buyer thanking us because their horse was “exactly as advertised.” That is what we strive for with every horse we represent.
Serious prospective buyers are welcome to visit Stillwater Farm & Arena, meet Wink, ride him, and determine whether he is the right match. We strongly encourage a pre-purchase examination with the veterinarian of the prospective buyer’s choice.
🎥 FULL VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/3ysS5NnCaF0
📍 Stillwater Farm & Arena
Cynthiana, Kentucky
For more information or to arrange a visit:
📞 Nicki: 859-391-9880
📞 Clinton: 859-620-3040
We’re happy to assist with transportation arrangements. No tack is included.
For those traveling from out of town, we have two Airbnb suites located on the farm, as well as hookups for living-quarters trailers. The cost of onsite lodging or a trailer hookup will be credited toward Wink’s purchase price if the visiting buyer purchases him.
Known for years. Trusted to our care. Ridden here. Represented honestly.
