We are celebrating the remarkable rescue horse in the month of May on YourDressage!
Did you know that dressage riders who choose a rescue horse as their dressage partner are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as the International Rescue Horse Registry is a participating organization?
Here, a rider tells us about the three-year-old she picked up for free on Craigslist, and how he turned into a priceless partner.
By Annie Wohlgemuth, with photos by Tal Hargash
My journey with Shiloh began 10 years ago, when I was a senior in high school and browsing the “Farm and Garden” section on Craigslist. My previous horse had died a year prior, and with college in the future, it was not the best time to bring home a horse. But still, I stumbled across a three-year-old gelding with striking pinto markings. Being the result of an accidental breeding between a Paint and a Haflinger, he was listed as free. A 14.3-hand, mixed-breed three-year-old was not necessarily the ideal choice for a dressage prospect. However, when I first went to see him, I watched his movement while loose in the arena; he was sound, had a decently large stride for a horse of his size, an inquisitive personality, and kind eyes. So, he came home with me that day.
Shiloh was the best baby and quickly adapted to riding life, always greeting me with a nicker and ears pricked forward. The first few times I sat on him, he had a habit of walking backwards and away from the mounting block, but he soon learned he could explore more things going forward. In the early years, time was scarce; I was a full-time college student and working part-time to support my horse hobby. The harsh New Hampshire winters limited us to brief bareback rides in the snow, and Shiloh spent hours playing with his large toy ball.
We made the most of our summers together, dabbling in trail riding, eventing, and dressage. Without regular access to an arena, most of our training was done in our neighbors’ hay fields. The highlight of our year was always the Dressage4Kids (D4K) Lendon Gray Youth Dressage Festival, which we participated in from 2016-2018, as well as countless D4K TEAM clinics. After aging out of the festival, we dipped our toes into rated dressage shows, but as I neared the end of nursing school, the increased workload with clinicals and work pushed us to take a sabbatical from showing.
In August of 2022, I made the journey from New Hampshire to New Jersey for a career opportunity. And of course, Shiloh was in tow in our handy Brenderup trailer. The move to New Jersey was a pivotal moment for both of us; better work/ life balance for me, milder winters, and a larger network of dressage opportunities. It also led us to our current trainer, Carolyn Laurent, with whom we now board and train. After settling into our new home, we were motivated to head back to the dressage arena, gaining the necessary scores at Second Level for my USDF Bronze Rider Medal. This past year, our highlight was winning the Eastern States Dressage & Combined Training Association (ESDCTA) year-end award at Second Level for Adult Amateurs. This winter, Shiloh learned his flying changes, and we plan to show at Third Level to finish earning my Bronze Medal.
While I often have doubts as I warm up at the shows in a sea of large bay, black, and grey warmbloods, Shiloh always holds his own and tries his hardest for me. With his short, colorful, wide build, and me being quite tall at 5’10”, we often stand out at dressage shows, and thanks to his Haflinger genes, he is frequently complimented on his thick, wavy black tail. Announcing his presence with a friendly whinny when stepping off the trailer, Shiloh enjoys taking in the local scenery, talking to the mares, and saying “hi” to any bystander. But when he hears the bell ring and looks down the centerline, he knows it’s time for business.
Sometimes, when Shiloh is faced with a challenging question, he still reverts to his habit of thinking backwards instead of forward. On these rides, he may need easier exercises, sometimes a long rein, or it’s a sign we are overdue for a gallop in the fields. After a change of perspective and some time outside the arena, he is always ready to tackle the next challenge. Shortly after first learning a single flying change this winter, he made it a point to impress and show us he could do tempi changes.
While the journey of raising a three-year-old, climbing the levels of dressage, and pursuing my nursing degree has been challenging, it has also been the most rewarding and inspirational experience for me. I credit Shiloh for instilling in me my work ethic, patience, and tenacity as both a dressage rider and a nurse. I think Shiloh’s story shows that a horse from any background, with some training and love, can go a long way.
My advice for anyone considering a non-traditional breed or rescue is to see the horse as an individual, listen carefully to their body language, and find unique, or even unconventional ways to bring out their talent. Some of the best lessons Shiloh has taught me are that it’s okay to take an “easy” day, take time to enjoy the scenery, always say hello to your friends, and remember that when you feel so stuck that you need to go backwards, find a new way to go forward.
Fantastic story. Shiloh clearly has found his person.