The world of people who appreciate animals is vast and expansive, but tends to be separated into types of “people.”
There’s nothing to keep a lot of us from owning both dogs and cats, for instance, but you can often find that dog people and cat people have very different opinions of those animals from each other. For some reason, however, those who might consider themselves “horse people” seem to have entire personalities assigned to them by these other animal lovers.
Much of this boils down to a particular “type” that seems nebulous and hard to explain, but their love of horses is sometimes seen as more of an obsession than what other pet-fanciers feel.
But if they see their horses the way everyone seems to regard this one, it shouldn’t be so hard to understand what they’re so excited about.
This fine specimen of horsedom is a 15-year-old Friesian stallion named Frederik the Great and most folks can immediately tell what’s so great about him.
But before he was considered the world’s most handsome anything, he attracted the admiration of Stacy Nazario of Arkansas, who imported him from the Netherlands when he was six.
As she told The Guardian , “The first time I laid eyes on him, I knew he was an exceptional stallion.”
But while Frederik certainly cuts an imposing figure, Nazario has made it clear that looks can be deceiving.
As she said, “He’s just phenomenal. His temperament is sweet. I could put a baby right next to him and he would just be gentle with it. He’s a gentle giant.”
And while she said that Frederik has always been popular with his fans on Facebook, he rose to a new kind of prominence back in 2016.
Although his gentle temperament is part of the appeal, his new admirers were particularly taken by his long, flowing mane.
He’s since been described as anything from “stately,” to “majestic,” to even “sexy,” but all of this praise has earned him widespread consideration as the world’s most handsome horse.
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And it’s not just online admirers who have taken notice as Frederik has also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and has even apparently been offered movie roles.
Nazario considered those offers, but eventually decided to make a documentary centered around Frederik.
According to the film’s website , she collaborated with screenwriter Jazek Creacy to make it and it was announced back in 2017.
It apparently still hasn’t been released, however.
In between all his dressage competitions and media appearances, it’s no surpise to hear that Frederick is quite a sought-after stud for other hopeful horse owners.
And according to Nazario, he’s been enjoying the attention a lot, as she said, “He lights up when he’s in the arena or when there’s photography going on. It’s almost like watching a celebrity, you know, the difference between when they’re at home and under the lights.”
But she also said he remains as gentle and sweet as ever. So if fame can change the personalities of animals, it’s apparently not doing that to this one.
h/t: The Guardian