17/10/2025
Vote for Splinter and Alexandra Truke 🥰🥰
Alex van den Brink and Splinter
Just like that, five and a half months have passed — and Splinter and I are now heading to Equifest, alongside an incredible group of horses and competitors. Writing this final update has made me pause and reflect on the most extraordinary journey we’ve shared.
My dream of wild horses began long ago, with a horse-mad toddler who once told a trekking guide I’d been riding for ten years — even though I wasn’t yet school age. Then came the builder’s saw-horse with a wooden neck and head that my brother teased me about — I’d feed it, ride it, and even “muck it out.” That’s actually where Splinter got his name; my brother joked the saw-horse was called Splinter, and I swore one day, Splinter would be a real horse.
That love only grew stronger. In 2022, I brought home my first Kaimanawa — a two-year-old from a wild horse workshop. Watching my mentor Leah and Budding take on the Challenge last year planted the seed. It was both inspiring and daunting, but it made me dream of stepping up to work with a stallion in 2025.
As horses are my hobby, not my job (I work full time in the mental health sector), I’d hoped for a younger bachelor stallion — something just a small step up from my 2022 experience. If I’d known I’d be entrusted with a mature 12-year-old band stallion from Zone 20, I’m not sure I’d have believed I was capable. But looking back now, I feel nothing but love, awe, and gratitude for Splinter..
When he first came in from the ranges, he was heartbroken — lost and unsure after leaving his home and herd behind. It reminded me of the deep grief I’ve seen in some of my mental health patients when they were at their lowest point. I wasn’t sure how our journey would unfold, but from the start, Splinter showed his heart. He quickly earned the nickname “Sensible Splinter,” because even through the biggest change of his life, he gave me his everything.
Over these months, we’ve experienced so much together — from multiple shows and scenic photoshoots to building confidence in new environments and dreaming up a freestyle that captures his spirit. Beyond the arena, it’s been the everyday adventures that have made this journey unforgettable: beach rides, bush-bashing through trails, and liberty fun.
Every experience — whether an adventure, a quiet moment, or a challenge — has deepened our bond in ways I could have only dreamed of. Watching him grow from a wary wild stallion into a confident, connected partner has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. This journey has been one of trust, respect, and quiet resilience — and no matter what happens next, I’m endlessly proud of the horse who walked out of the wild and into my heart.
