How Georgie Defined My Riding
The Marvelous Morgan! We are celebrating these horses as our April Breed of the Month on YourDressage!
Did you know that dressage riders who choose a member of this versatile breed as their mount are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as the American Morgan Horse Association is a participating organization?
Here, a Region 8 competitor shares the story of the Morgan mare she purchased for $1 with the intention of becoming part of her lesson program, but whose partnership became a once-in-a-lifetime bond.
By Anna Phillips
In December 2018, my Morgan mare, Two Brook Georgianna – fondly known as Georgie – was sold to me for $1.00. Her previous owner was no longer in a position to keep a horse, and they knew how much I adored Georgie. She and my other mare, Leda, had spent their days as paddock buddies, and when her owner asked if I would be interested in taking her, the word “no” did not exist in my vocabulary.
At that time, my plan was to use Georgie as a lesson horse for my adult amateurs and youth beginner students in my small lesson program. Like most Morgans, she was incredibly safe and always took great care of her riders. I also half-leased her to one of my adult amateur students. Occasionally, I would ride Georgie for a tune-up, but for the most part, it was rare for me to get on her.
That changed in the fall of 2021, when my student who had been leasing Georgie purchased her own horse, and no longer needed to lease. I decided to start riding Georgie more consistently, advancing her dressage training with the intention of finding her another leasee. However, the more I rode her, the more I realized what a diamond in the rough she was.
Georgie had always been incredibly smart with a fantastic work ethic; whether I was on the ground coaching a student or in the saddle myself, she gave me her all. But I had never realized the extent of her potential. With correct development, her physical attributes began to shine. Georgie had good gaits, but struggled with the canter early on. As we progressed, her canter became my favorite gait to ride.
Photos by Meg McGuire Photography
Through the winter and into the spring of 2022, I decided that Georgie would not be leased again; instead, I would show her. She had never stepped into a dressage ring before I owned her, but knowing that she had previously competed at Morgan breed shows, I was excited to see how she handled off-property experiences. As expected, she was absolutely perfect. We started the year at Training Level, competing at schooling shows.
Mid-show season, our plans were disrupted when Georgie colicked. I had dealt with colic before, but this was the worst case I had experienced firsthand. After four days without passing manure, we finally turned a corner. My incredible veterinarian and best friend, Dr. Abby Krzanowski, is the reason Georgie is still here today. Given her age, I had decided against colic surgery, feeling the procedure and recovery wouldn’t be fair to her. Abby did everything possible to save Georgie, and she did. As we carefully began reconditioning after her colic episode, I unexpectedly had to undergo a life-saving surgery, further delaying our 2022 goals.
We made our return at the final schooling show of the season, scoring in the low 70s at Training Level. On a whim, I decided to take Georgie to the last USDF-recognized show of the season in New Hampshire, to make her First Level debut. She competed in First Level Test 1 and First Level Test 2, earning great scores, and the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) High Point Morgan Award. After the challenges of the year, it was a powerful reminder that even with setbacks, patience, proper training, and the willingness of an incredible Morgan mare could lead to success.
The year 2023 brought us the highest of highs. With consistent winter training under my longtime coach, Doris Carlson, we entered the season prepared. Due to Georgie’s colic history, I structured our show schedule to avoid travel during the hottest months. We spent the year competing at First Level, while schooling Second Level at home. Our hard work paid off, consistently earning scores in the high 60s, with a high score of 69% at the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) Fall Kickoff Show. Our efforts were rewarded with several year-end recognitions: Champion for AMHA Open Competition at First Level, Reserve Champion for the Morgan Dressage Association’s Awards of Excellence at First Level, Reserve Champion for the USDF All Breeds Award for Morgans, and earning both the AMHA Bronze Medallion and Georgie’s USDF Horse Performance Award for First Level.
Despite these accolades, one of the highlights of 2023 was our favorite annual judged trail ride at a local sportsman’s club. Riders navigate obstacles along an eight-mile trail, judged on execution. In 2022, Georgie won our division and the Morgan breed award. In 2023, she placed third – her excitement made waiting at obstacles a challenge! Both years when we finished, she still felt fresh enough for another eight miles, a testament to how well dressage had conditioned her, and to the remarkable endurance of the Morgan breed.
We began 2024 as in years prior – training diligently with my coach in preparation for our Second Level debut. I have been riding for over 20 years, and have been actively working toward my USDF Bronze Medal since 2013. Finding the right horse, time, and financial resources to earn my scores has always been a challenge. Finally, Georgie was that horse for me – even at 25 years old.
However, in late spring, Georgie came up lame. During a ride, as we changed direction across the diagonal, I felt an odd step beneath me. I immediately called Abby. After some time off, we decided to inject her hocks and stifles, a routine treatment for the past three years to maintain her comfort. The injections worked, and we slowly reconditioned.
For yet another curveball, as Georgie was coming back into work, she got herself cast in her stall. While thrashing around in an attempt to get up, she ended up with various cuts along her legs and face, and almost scalped herself. Abby once again came to the rescue, suturing Georgie’s head so well that there is no scar. It’s quite evident that our journey has been a wild one, and having a trusted veterinarian in your corner is invaluable!
Georgie remained sound, so we made tentative plans to debut at Second Level in New York in August, as well as perform our first-ever First Level Freestyle – a program I created using music from the Harry Potter films. I was thrilled at the prospect of this new challenge, especially as I suspected this would be Georgie’s final show season.
Photos by Meg McGuire Photography
At the competition, our Second Level debut went well, earning a qualifying score toward my USDF Bronze Medal. However, before our second test, something felt off during warm-up. I looked across the ring at Abby, shook my head, and she shook hers back. Georgie was lame. We cold-hosed and grazed her while Abby examined her. The next day was supposed to be our freestyle debut, but I scratched both our remaining tests – Georgie’s well-being is my priority.
Back home, a lameness specialist found a lesion in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of her left front leg. The recommended recovery time was eight months – too long for a then-25-year-old mare who had already given me more than I could ever ask for. As heartbroken as I was, I knew retirement had arrived.
At the time of writing this, Georgie is back in light work. We tack walk and long line to rebuild her topline, hoping to be able to trail ride this summer. She has remained sound, and she clearly enjoys our rides and our time together. I don’t know many 25-year-old horses that could do what Georgie has done. While we will never return to the show ring, I am eager to share the trails with her again.
I have never known another horse quite like my Morgan mare, and I believe many Morgan owners would say the same about their horses. She can be sassy, but also deeply affectionate. She carried my young daughter around the ring when she was just two years old, and there was no other horse I would have trusted for that. The trust we share speaks volumes about our bond. Georgie has advanced my knowledge as a dressage rider, as I have done all of her dressage training myself. She has taught me patience, and how to truly enjoy the process of bringing a horse along through the levels, despite the ups and downs.
Morgan horses are truly special. They are intelligent and versatile, with a remarkable work ethic. Their natural balance, uphill build, and willingness to learn make them exceptional dressage partners, excelling in collection and engagement. Whether in dressage, driving, trail riding, or simply as a reliable companion, they give their all. Their strong, compact builds contribute to their soundness and longevity, making them excellent partners for riders of all levels. With their kind hearts and eagerness to please, Morgans form deep bonds with their owners, like the bond that Georgie and I share. Georgie is a perfect example of why a Morgan is an exceptional choice – her resilience, talent, and affection have made her the horse of a lifetime for me.
As Georgie enjoys her well-earned semi-retirement, I’ve begun searching for my next Morgan. Choosing another Morgan is an easy decision – their intelligence, willingness, and versatility make them outstanding partners. I know I’ll never replace Georgie, but I hope to find another Morgan with the same heart and drive to continue my dressage journey.
Beautiful story!