By Teresa Boss
My journey in dressage began over 30 years ago, after riding hunters for over 20 years before that. My first dressage horse was a gangly, turning-white Trakehner, whom I purchased in 1994 as a yearling. Schillern (by Polarmond) had huge suspension, was as long as a train, and was built downhill. We worked through the levels, and in 2007, I received my USDF Silver Medal.
The year I earned my Silver Medal, I imported a three-year-old Dutch mare named Wielonka M. Wiela, as she became affectionately known, was by Kennedy and out of a Dublin mare. Wiela was a challenge; small, but strong like a bull, sweet but opinionated, and requiring tactful training. With the guidance of my longtime trainer, David Wightman, Wiela and I also showed through Prix St. Georges (PSG).
However, between these two, way back in 1997, I purchased a yearling Canadian Trakenher filly. She will be 28 this year and is also related to my first Trakenher. Mikaela (known around the barn as Milkie) was delightful to ride, and had the absolute sweetest personality. Unfortunately, she ended up with a chronic head-shaking issue, so much so that she would almost fall down from shaking her head so hard.
Milkie retired from riding, and produced a few nice fillies for other people in her second career as a broodmare. In light of that, I decided to breed her myself. I bred her to my friend’s stallion, the Dutch stallion Pandorra, who had produced nice, amateur-friendly offspring. That breeding resulted in an Oldenburg filly, whom I named Palmeria (known as Maui around the barn).
Maui could be fractious, and as she worked her way up the levels toward Third Level, it became clear that her heart was not in the dressage ring, and she became claustrophobic in the collected work.
I decided to breed Wiela and planned to utilize Maui as an embryo recipient mare for the breeding. After two failed attempts and no embryos, I decided to change course. Instead, I bred Maui to the Oldenburg stallion, For Romance, at David’s recommendation, and in 2017, she gave me a stunning dark bay colt.
Flintlock, as I named him, checks all the boxes: looks, gaits, trainability, and so sweet. As a “mature” rider over 60, it’s important to me that he’s chill about everything. Flint was easy to start; my husband hopped on him at just two-and-a-half years old and walked around without fanfare. Katie Cumberford, of Kansas City, got Flint going under saddle, and we continue to work together regularly, along with David, and Briana Langworthy, who have provided invaluable training and support in bringing along a young horse.
After having Flint, Maui spent several years with a friend in Colorado, where she excelled as a hunter.
After showing Second Level this year, we are looking forward to putting on lead changes and moving up to Third Level in 2025. We have attended the Great American/USDF Region 4 Dressage Championships for the last three years, and together, we’ve been able to earn Performance Awards, Master’s Challenge Awards, and my First and Second Level scores for my Bronze Medal (I had earned my Third Level scores previously).
Who knew the stars would align? He is my true heart horse, and I get to continue this journey with him and all three generations of these special horses here at home. I owe many thanks to the trainers, who have been instrumental in my success, and my husband, who supports me every step of the way.
Last year, I also championed the notion ahead of the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention that USDF should add a division for mature riders, which was then further discussed at the convention. I will continue to strive for an official national division that recognizes the years of commitment, volunteerism, and investment these riders have participated in. This could also attract additional mature riders to our sport and shows. Many other disciplines have age divisions, and after having talked to other dressage riders, I feel a strong consensus.
It takes a village to do the things we love, and I feel lucky to be able to continue riding and enjoying the horses. Most of my dearest friends I’ve met at the barn. We all know these amazing horses have captured our hearts and directed our lives. Lucky for us!
