Cindy Gilbert was not looking for a horse when Beyond the Budget came into her life. A year earlier, she had lost Delight, her heart horse. The grief of that loss was still present when Beverly Strauss from MidAtlantic Horse Rescue reached out with a message: she had a horse who reminded her of Delight.

Gilbert was not planning to adopt, but the note was enough to make her go visit.

“While I wasn’t looking for a horse, I felt I should at least go meet him,” Gilbert said.

MidAtlantic Horse Rescue is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organization based in Chesapeake City, Md.

Beyond the Budget, now fondly known as Budgie, won over Gilbert’s heart.

“Budgie was attractive and friendly,” Gilbert said. “He has the expression I like, and I’m a sucker for a cute bay with a star.”

Cindy Gilbert aboard Beyond the Budget (Amy Dragoo Photography)

A few months after Budgie came home, Gilbert sent him to Missy Ransehousen at Blue Hill Farm for additional training. The experience proved to be a strong fit, giving Budgie a thoughtful foundation as he began to explore his second career.  

Since then, Budgie has shown just how versatile a Thoroughbred can be. Together, he and Gilbert have “dabbled in a lot of different things,” she shared. She mentioned that they have tried a variety of disciplines, including Hunters, Dressage, Eventing, Jumpers, and Fox Hunting.

With Budgie by her side, Gilbert has found herself competing more than she has in ages and thoroughly enjoying their partnership.

“He has been really fun to have in the barn,” she said. “He’s turned out to be more than I’d ever hoped for.”

Through MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Beyond the Budget found a second career full of variety, purpose, and partnership. Gilbert may not have been looking for another horse, but Budgie became exactly the kind of horse worth meeting. In the process, he became more than she ever hoped for.