This talented stallion almost fell through the cracks, but now he’s back and winning again with Kyle King.

There have been a few detours in Capone I’s career path, but with a win in the $25,000 Smartpak Grand Prix on Feb. 13 at the HITS Desert Circuit III in Thermal, Calif., he looks to be firmly back on track.

The Holsteiner stallion (Contender—Winja, Ladalco) and Kyle King were a force to be reckoned with in grand prix classes five years ago. After the pair jumped a 4-fault round in the 2007 $876,681 CN International at Spruce Meadows (Alta.), King sent Capone back to owner Corinne Super, never expecting it would be three years before he saw the horse again.

But Super became involved in an ownership dispute with Douglas Spink, and Capone I’s showing career was put on hold. Super had taken custody of the horse when Spink was convicted of drug trafficking in 2005. Spink reclaimed the horse in late 2007 after he was released from prison.

Super regained custody of Capone in May 2008 and housed him at her British Columbia farm, but Spink took him from her farm again on Oct. 12, 2009, transporting him to his home in Sumas, Wash.

Then in April 2010, Spink was arrested for violating his federal probation in connection to his 2005 drug trafficking conviction. Federal investigators and Whatcom County sheriffs raided Spink’s property after receiving evidence it had been used as a bestiality farm. Spink’s contact with a convicted felon in another bestiality case was the offense that violated his parole.

In the aftermath of the raid, Capone I was seized by the Whatcom Humane Society. Super traveled to Washington in June for a court case to reclaim the horse. The judge released Capone I to her, and she is now the owner on record. Although she cannot discuss the details of the ownership dispute because the criminal and civil charges are still pending, Super does have legal custody of Capone and is the registered owner.

“It was a very personal and emotional struggle,” Super said. “It took a lot out of me. I was so concerned for Capone’s health and welfare. That was my main concern, knowing that he was in a very dangerous situation. My goal was to get him safe.”

In July, Spink was sentenced to three years in federal prison for his probation violation and is serving his time in a facility in Texas.

He’s A Survivor

Super’s first concern when Capone arrived back to her Langley, B.C., farm was his health. “He was in horrific condition when we picked him up. He was dehydrated and underweight and wormy. His feet hadn’t been done,” she said.

“After spending the time with an excellent team of vets and farriers, we brought the horse back to health,” she added. “I slowly started riding him again. I let Capone tell me what he wanted to do. It came to the point where he was physically and mentally stronger and getting bored in the barn. His antics let me know he was ready to do more, so I brought Kyle up and he rode him a few times. He said he thought he felt fabulous and that we should go for it and see what happens.”

Capone, 15, shipped to King’s San Marco, Calif., farm in October to begin his way back to the show ring. Having shown him from 2004 to 2007, King knew Capone had the ability to jump; he just had to get him fit again.

“He’s a little older now, but I really got to condition him the proper way this time. I had 90 days at home to really get his muscles back, and he feels fantastic,” King said.

King used the trails around his farm and the hilly terrain to get Capone fit. “I didn’t jump him very much when I brought him back, honestly. I want to save his jumps. He jumped some of the biggest courses when I had him before, so I know how much ability he has,” King said. “Technically, he’s not the easiest horse to ride because he has so much power, so I worked on flatwork and fitness.”

At their first class back, the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix on Feb. 6 at the HITS Desert Circuit, Capone and King placed third. Just a week later, they won the $25,000 Smartpak Grand Prix.

“This time around, I think I found another gear in the jump-offs with Capone,” King said. “I ran him a little bit more than I had last week and took a real shot. I rode like a children’s jumper, and he got even sharper, so I’m excited about that.”

Super was there to see Capone back in action. “It was a real thrill. He had a huge fan club, and everyone was so excited to see Kyle and Capone back together again,” said Super. “It was very emotional to watch him come to life. He saw the crowds and the ring, and you could feel the energy coming off him, he was so excited.”

King and Super have the CN International Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters in September as their goal for the year. “I fought the fight for him, and I don’t think I was wrong,” Super said. “He’s obviously proven that he’s doing what he loves to do, and I’m really excited for him. It absolutely makes the effort worthwhile because I know that he’s back doing what he’s meant to do. He’s feeling good and healthy and strong. He’s a very special horse, and he’s excited about life again, which is fun to see.”

For more from the HITS Desert Circuit, be sure to check out the Feb. 28 issue of the Chronicle.