From PMU foal to Bronze Medal horse
By Shelley Steelesmith
I was fortunate enough to be a horse crazy girl that was raised in a “horsey” family, and I’ve had the opportunity to try many disciplines. I began riding Saddleseat, and then spent my teenage years on the AQHA circuit showing halter, western, and hunt seat. I developed an interest in dressage during that time, but did not know anyone who was actually involved with it or taught lessons.
In 2002, I found myself living in a new city and, by happenstance, boarding my Quarter Horse at a barn that had dressage riders and offered lessons. I got involved with lessons and began attending local schooling shows.
As my horse was getting older, I found myself wanting a younger horse to start, who would be more geared toward dressage. I loved draft crosses, and had looked at a lovely Percheron-Thoroughbred cross. It was at that time that I became aware of Pregnant Mare Urine (PMU) foals. Often coming from Canada, there were many that needed homes, and were draft crosses. I decided that a PMU foal was a viable option for me. As I began to research, I found a rescue that worked with a few nice farms in Manitoba that offered Percheron crosses.
In the spring of 2003, I began checking the websites everyday, awaiting the arrival of a Percheron cross stud colt that I could bring home. Late one April evening, the perfect foal popped up on my screen. A beautiful black Percheron/TB stud colt with bright eyes and a curious expression that was exactly what I wanted.
Buying a horse, sight unseen, on the internet was still a fairly new concept, so I decided I should sleep on it before clicking “Buy”. That night, I dreamed of that beautiful black colt and the next morning, I jumped out of bed and ran to the computer. I couldn’t complete that purchase fast enough. And then it was time to wait, and dream some more, while he spent the summer growing up in Canada. In October, he was weaned and made the journey to Ohio. I named him Beckham, and time has flown by since then.
We have had so much fun in the time we’ve been together. Beckham is the first horse I have trained from the ground up, and really dove into my dressage journey. He has been a game and willing partner all along the way… and forgiving of having an adult amateur owner who occasionally makes mistakes. We started showing in-hand when he was three, then, once going under saddle, moved on to Introductory Level. From there, we worked our way up the levels, while taking lessons and enjoying some great clinics.
In 2011, we were strong contenders at Second Level, and were thinking about moving up to Third. Suddenly, earning that USDF Bronze Medal that I wanted so much was achievable on a horse I had trained myself.
Then, that winter, Beckham was sidelined with a mysterious illness that landed him in the ICU at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital for a week. He recovered, and we slowly rehabbed our way back into shape, returning to the competition ring at Second Level and continuing our work towards a Third Level debut.
I had never taught a horse flying changes before, so that was a bit slow going. But, I was determined to complete that process, just as I had with all of his other training. We had completed a few schooling shows at Third Level when, in 2014, Beckham suffered a suspensory injury playing with another horse in the field. I was devastated. I knew many horses don’t fully recover from an injury like his, and I feared that was the end of my Bronze Medal hopes.
I rehabbed Beckham at home and after 18 months, in the summer of 2015, he was given the all clear to return to regular work. To my surprise, all of that rehab paid off, and he felt stronger than ever. I wanted to get back in the show ring that summer, but wanted to do it slowly. I had always wanted to try our hand at a musical freestyle as well, so I put together my first ever freestyle at First Level, and we both loved it. Turns out that Beckham loves riding to music, and he was back.
The next year, in 2016, we debuted a Second Level freestyle and won several awards, as Beckham continued to get stronger and stronger. That summer during a lesson, my instructor asked me how his flying changes were, post-injury. I had not thought about or tried a change in over two years. We gave it a try that day, and they were still there! Just like that, my Bronze Medal dreams were back within reach.
In August 2016, my ever trustworthy dressage partner carried me through mud and pouring rain to earn my Third Level scores, and finally achieve the long-standing dream of earning my Bronze Medal. Of all the rides of my life, I can still recall most of the details of that ride in the rain to get my last needed score. I was elated.
In 2017, we continued to compete and I was able to achieve another one of my goals; we placed in the Top 5 at the Great American/ USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships with our Second Level freestyle. I was so happy to take that victory gallop with my best friend who I had been through so much with.
Beckham and I continue to show off and on, even though, at 22, he is now semi-retired. He still loves to work and, in addition to being one of my favorite horses ever to show in my life, he is also the best trail horse I have ever had. We enjoy hacking through the neighborhood, and he has even humored me in some bridleless riding.
Looking back, I definitely would not change anything about my journey with Beckham. Even all of the rough times make you appreciate what you have. And I was lucky enough that the dancing horse in my dreams actually became the horse that fulfilled my dreams.
