December 23, 2024 
For Christmas in 2018, three young girls were gifted a small chestnut pony wrapped in a bow.
Joker’s Jester was a surprise present for Peyton, Jordyn, and Presley Sears. Although he was smaller than what their mother, Jamie Sears, was ideally looking for, one touching moment sealed the deal for the family. In the intervening years, the little pony with the big heart has been a constant companion for the girls, taking them on trail rides, to competitions, and on countless adventures.
Joker’s Jester arrived at Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) in Woodbine, MD, in August 2018. He was a transfer from the SPCA of Texas, which had just started an open admission program and was overwhelmed with horses. DEFHR collaborated with the peer organization and take the little gelding in.
He was in a healthy condition, and although he was unbacked, his fantastic temperament and easy-going personality made getting him started a breeze.
DEFHR Assistant Trainer Leigha Schrader realized what a neat and naturally talented little pony Jester was. In December 2018, he participated in the Loch Moy Donation Derby and even went foxhunting during her training program. Schrader quickly realized that Jester needed to find a family of his own where he could excel.
This is when Jamie Sears and her three daughters stepped into the picture.
Sears had visited DEFHR with her 4-H club as a child and always knew she wanted to give a horse with a rough past a soft landing at her sister Kourtney Orcel’s barn. Orcel had previously adopted a horse from DEFHR, so when the time came to get her three daughters a pony, Sears knew exactly where to look.
Temperament was key for Sears as her youngest child, Peyton, has had multiple hip surgeries and walks slowly as a result.
“I knew the girls would outgrow Jester as he’s only 12.2hh, but he was just so sweet,” said Sears. “Peyton was born with dislocated hips, and when she went to lead him, he slowed down and dropped his head next to her. When he did that, I knew his personality couldn’t be beaten, and he was the right fit for us.”
Sears adopted Joker’s Jester on December 22, 2018, but Sears and her husband kept it a secret from their daughters. On Christmas morning, the girls arrived at the barn to see a cute little chestnut pony waiting for them in the aisle. They all hugged Jester while the good-natured gelding stood calmly.
Since his adoption, the girls have shown Jester both English and Western at the Harford County Farm Fair and the Maryland State Fair. They have dabbled in dressage and cross-country and also enjoy making up jumping and agility courses, doing liberty work, and barrel racing with him.
“Jester is very attentive and sensitive to his rider,” reported Sears. “He would easily jump 2’6” courses with my oldest daughter but will carefully step over little jumps with my youngest so she doesn’t get knocked off balance. Their favorite thing about Jester is his personality. He always finds ways to get attention, knocking over jumps and barrels, picking up and tossing brushes, and playing with coat zippers.
“He is still doing great. Peyton now rides him predominantly, however my oldest won’t let go, even though she has really outgrown him. She even ended up showing him at the state fair when we couldn’t get her horse to load, and she and Jester came home as champions! Jester has been such a blessing, and he brings laughter to the barn every day,” Sears added.
Sears praised the experiences she and her sister have had adopting through DEFHR and encourages anyone considering it to take the plunge.
“The time, effort, and the experiences the team give their horses at Days End Farm is amazing,” she explained. “Leigha took him foxhunting, cross-country, and to a parade—most horses don’t do that in their lifetime, let alone at a rescue. They expose their horses to a lot during their process, and that’s why Jester is game for everything.”
If you or someone you know is looking to give a horse in need a home, check out DEFHR’s available horses by visiting https://defhr.org/available-horses/.
