O Romeo, Romeo

By Angela Carter

Romeo, the remarkable horse that became an integral part of my life, entered as a replacement for my old lesson horse. He was just four years old when he first set his hooves on our farm, and my initial requirement was simple: sanity and reliability. Little did I know that this gentle yet ambitious soul would embark on a journey with me that was far beyond my expectations.

I vividly remember the day I brought Romeo home. It took only two weeks for us to participate in our first dressage schooling show, despite the fact that he didn’t have a proper canter. The classes were Introductory Level, and it was a moment of sheer delight when Romeo effortlessly clinched victory in both of them; this was the first inkling that I had something special in my hands.

Romeo’s work ethic and unwavering willingness to learn were evident from the very beginning. Initially, my primary goal was to get him strong and fit enough for our lesson program. Still, it wasn’t long before I realized the depth of his potential, and I decided to continue his training myself.

The ensuing years were devoted to honing his skills and taking him to as many shows as possible. Romeo’s performances in the show ring were consistently remarkable, and it wasn’t long before I decided to set my sights on earning my USDF Rider Medals. We ventured into First Level competitions, which were more challenging than the Introductory levels, but we persevered.

When we began working on Third Level movements, I saw Romeo truly begin to shine. Despite carrying a mammoth body, the collection work suited him exceptionally well, and he started performing with awe-inspiring grace and elegance. As I continued to train and compete with him at Third Level, my oldest daughter took an interest in showing him in 4-H, and together, they formed a formidable partnership.

Life, however, had a way of throwing curveballs at us. Between purchasing our farm, managing 25 horses, going through a divorce, and raising two young children, I found it increasingly difficult to dedicate the time and energy Romeo needed for his training. He had to take a temporary backseat. Yet, all the while, he remained in my heart and plans for the future.

When life finally settled down, I hit the play button on Romeo’s training again. A few years down the line, I believed he was ready for his Grand Prix debut. However, just when we were gearing up for this monumental step, COVID-19 struck, putting a temporary halt to our ambitions. Yet, rather than seeing this as a setback, I decided to use this time to train even harder, perfecting our skills in preparation for the challenges that lay ahead.

Our triumphant return to the show ring after the pandemic-induced hiatus marked a significant milestone in our journey. In 2021, we achieved the pinnacle of dressage accomplishment – the coveted USDF Gold Medal. This was the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and an unbreakable bond between horse and rider. My USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals were all earned on Romeo, a testament to his remarkable talent and the journey we had undertaken together.

Now, as Romeo stands as a finished Grand Prix horse, we are embracing a new chapter in our partnership. We attend shows not just for competition but to inspire and showcase the power of unwavering dedication and commitment to your dreams. We’ve also ventured into the world of social media, where Romeo has garnered a significant following on TikTok.

Our story is a testament to the idea that you can achieve success with dedication, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. We hope to serve as an inspiration to other non-traditional breed owners, proving that they can compete and excel in the dressage arena, too. The journey might be challenging, but every small step forward, every 1% improvement, brings you closer to your dreams. And with the right partner, like my beloved Romeo, the journey becomes an adventure worth living and sharing.