Teen Equestrian Saves Runaway Horse Before Show, Still Places 3rd

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A brave teenage equestrian showed her skill and tenacity Sunday after helping save a runaway horse. Before the 4H show at Andover Farms, one of the horses, a particularly fast one, broke free from her halter and ran. Caroline Shoults was the first to hop into action.

Shoults, 16, of Severna Park, mounted her rescue horse Tinkerbell (Tink for short) and pursued the runaway, fearing for its safety. Some adults got into their cars to follow Shoults and block potentially dangerous traffic. The horse took off, galloping down Aviation Boulevard.

"After about the one mile mark I was very tired as was Tink," Shoults said on her Facebook page. She said she considered giving up for a second, "until the horse we were chasing turned into on coming traffic. Me and Tink gathered our wits, and pushed on. She gave me her complete all."

A police cruiser is seen in the dramatic video driving up to Shoults, Tink and the runaway. The adults taking the video were concerned that the cop may startle Tink or the runaway, but Shoults confidently pushed on, tiring out the steed, safely calming it down.

"Finally, after about 3 miles, everyone rather exhausted, I was able to guide her into the shoulder of the highway into the grass. I jumped off and threw the lead rope over her neck, and waited mere seconds for everyone to come up to us, the horse trailer just behind them," Shoults said on her Facebook. They ended up near the airport.
Shoults had rescued Tinkerbell from a kill pen, and is using her newly-earned platform to show off how strong such rescue horses can be. "I hope this can help put some emphasis on kill pen horses, they are just as worthy as any others!"

Shoults expected the show to be over by the time she got back, but they paused the show for her. "I wasn’t planning on finishing the class but since they held the show for me, I got back on and Tink was on the money with her jumps." Even after a three-mile chase, Shoults and Tink still placed third, impressively.

"See you next show!"

Article images provided by Caroline Shoults