Staff Picks – Our Favorite Stories from 2023

As we close out another successful year with YourDressage, the departments at USDF wanted to share their favorite stories from the year!

Mr. P (Peanut’s Story)

By Roxanne Ellingsworth
In this adorable story from our month highlighting Rescue Horses and the International Rescue Horse Registry, a USDF Region 9 adult amateur speaks about her journey of finding her “unicorn,” a Haflinger rescued from the slaughter pipeline, and their experience in navigating the world of dressage!

A Mirror of Myself

By Samantha Carl
In this story of resilience, a USDF Region 2 member shares the story of the little Mustang gelding, Big Red, who came from the Evanescent Mustang Rescue and Sanctuary after being pulled from a kill pen. Big Red became Logan, and despite a rocky beginning to their partnership, the two have since become inseparable, leaning on each other for strength, healing each other along the way, and representing the Mustang breed in the best light.

This story is part of the series “Clear Eyes, Sound Mind, Halt, Salute.” Focusing on equestrian mental health, these articles come from dressage riders across the country who wish to share their struggles and triumphs. With so much focus on the physical health and fitness of riders, it is important not to neglect the mental health aspect of becoming a great equestrian. We hope these stories and bits of advice assure you that you’re not alone and inspire you to push on through all challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center offers many resources.

Bringing Back Their Smile

By Jason Webb
In this story, a “horse husband” in Region 3 shares about his wife’s equestrian struggles, which all changed when a rescue Fjord with an unforgettable attitude unexpectedly came into their lives and gave the whole family a reason to smile again.

This story was shared as part of our celebration of the Norwegian Fjord and the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry.

An Unlikely Journey With An Unconventional Horse

By Janet Nierzwick
A USDF Region 2 adult amateur shares the story of her return to the saddle following the sudden loss of her Friesian gelding and the sweet grade mare, aptly named Sweet Emmylou, who became the partner who took her on her first-ever victory lap after winning the Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges small horse division at the National Dressage Pony Cup!

This story was shared as part of our Like Fine Wine celebration of USDF’s 50th anniversary and the celebration of riders ages 50 and older.

Sight Unseen

By Bex Hayward
Shared as part of our Dressage for Every Body celebration, a plus size rider based in the UK shares the story of her pandemic horse purchase and how he has become the center of her world, as well as her problem-solving ingenuity that led to the creation of The Wide Boot Company – a company that caters exclusively to those whose sizes measure outside of mainstream companies off-the-rack sizing.

My Road to having a Reserve Champion Foal

By Amy Griffin
A USDF Region 3 owner shares the whirlwind journey with her American Hanoverian Society foal to Reserve Champion at the Southern Breeders Championship Series. After speaking with USDF Senior Competitions Coordinator Cristen Brown, Amy learned the value of entering her foal in all three days of the Haras Dos Cavaleiros Dressage Sport Horse In-Hand Qualifiers, and how that could make him eligible for the USDF Horse of the Year program.

What We Wish We’d Known About Dressage

By Emily Esterson
In this reprint from USDF Connection, those who have spent many years learning this always-fascinating, often difficult, occasionally frustrating, and ultimately rewarding sport have much hard-won wisdom to share with the next generation of dressage enthusiasts. 

Regaining the Spark

By Kiera Delahanty
In the story, which was part of our celebration of the mighty Irish Draught Horse, a youth rider shared about the Irish Draught who was originally destined to be her eventing partner but became her dressage dream, making their dramatic debut after rehabbing from an injury at the famous Rolex Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Refuge Found

By Christina Westfall
Shared as part of our Dressage for Every Body celebration, a Region 2 plus size rider shared her riding journey and the people (and horses!) that have impacted her life along the way, and the most important lesson she has learned: size does not determine whether you are a good rider or not. Every body is meant for riding, and it is important to make the riding community a safe place for everyone. After all, most of us are here for the same thing—to seek refuge in riding and to enjoy being with horses.

Dancing is Universal

By Rachel Ory
Whether outfitted in tall boots and a dressage coat, or a western saddle and chaps, Rachel Ory and her American Quarter Horse, Jagalicious, continue to prove that with good horsemanship, “Dancing is Universal.” This USDF Silver Medalist and AQHA World Show Champion from Region 3 shared her heartfelt journey as a pioneer of new opportunities for Western horses and how it made a lasting impact on her teaching and training.

The Branches, The Roots, and The Banner

By Natasha Rombeck
In this inspiring story of tenacity, a USDF Region 5 rider shares her journey from a diagnosis of a progressive type of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) back to the sandbox. After a “short stint as a professional lawn dart” in defiance of her neurologist’s recommendation to take up painting and writing poetry, which resulted in a broken pelvis, riding-related anxiety, and fear she felt she couldn’t overcome, she began the tough mental and emotional journey of getting back in the saddle with a little Gypsy Cob named Banner.

The YourDressage series “Clear Eyes, Sound Mind, Halt, Salute” focuses on equestrian mental health and is written by dressage riders from across the country who wish to share their struggles and triumphs. We hope these stories and bits of advice assure you that you are not alone and inspire you to push on through all challenges.

Be Who You Needed

By Amelia Miller
In this story from our Dressage For Every Body celebration, a Region 2 rider reflects on finding her people, getting back in the saddle, and how apparel options have changed for plus-size riders since she last traveled down the centerline. She reminds readers that someone is looking up to you, even if you may not realize it, and to be who you need – every day.

My Silver Lining Has Four Hooves

By Jacqueline Golosinski
In this inspiring story of resilience and fight, a young rider shares the story of her battle against stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at just thirteen years old. Her victory in that battle was only made sweeter by the partnership with a then four-year-old Friesian mare that came in the midst of her fight, thanks to Tiffany van der Kooi of Black Pearl Friesians and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. After seven years together, they are thriving in the dressage ring, and their partnership is stronger than ever.