My $1 Horse Turned Bronze Medal Mount

Here, a rider from Region 8 shares how she transformed the horse she purchased for a courtesy dollar into her dressage partner up the levels.

By Brittany Curran

Branko D, barn name “Preston,” came to me in 2019, from a family who no longer wanted him. He was strong, dull, and had very poor training – definitely used and abused before us. He came with a good spook, a good buck, and no papers, but I figured I could put a year into him and at least find him a good home. He needed some maintenance, and the vet told me that he should not jump anymore if we wanted him to stay sound long term, as he was already fifteen. So, I invested in a good trainer and thought we could give dressage a try. I am not a newbie to dressage, but I am definitely not a professional, even though that is my status with USDF, because I rode for other people from time to time. 

Preston seemed to be game for dressage, but he was strong, stubborn, and had a lot of resistance. He was so backwards trained. After two years of countless lessons and going back to classical dressage basics, we felt he was ready for Training Level. He did okay, and just enough to skate by for the Great American/USDF Region 8 Dressage Championships.

At Regionals, I rode my championship class and scored a 59.5%. I was humiliated – not only in myself, but I felt we weren’t cut out for this. Mind you, up until this point, it had been a real struggle with him both physically and mentally. Until the next day, our last day at Regionals, I rode Training Level Test 3 one more time; heck, I paid for it, and what did I have to lose? I can’t explain what happened that moment, but we just clicked together like an avatar. We won a sizable class with a 71.5%! That was the moment that has driven me forward ever since. 

The next three years were more of a struggle. Two steps forward, and sometimes two steps back. When we showed, we were usually in the middle of the class, not the scores I’d like to have, at least. Either way, each show was a win for me; we inched forward together. I learned more about him and realized I needed to take my own riding back to basics many times. My trainer, Karen Roberts, was there every step of the way, pushing me. Not only being my riding instructor, but also my therapist at times. It has really taken a village of family and friends. I got my first and second level scores, which were huge wins for both Preston and me, and I was starting to think he liked his new career, and even getting the hang of dancing in the sandbox.

This past winter was rough. I do not have an indoor, so I had to trailer out to one, and when I couldn’t, I was stuck doing ground work or just plain hand walking. Still, every time I pushed myself out there, I hoped it would pay off. Preston has always been ready and willing to work for me, and even on those hard, cold days, he has always been happy to be right there reconnecting with me to create a stronger bond together. 

This year was about trying Third Level. Did I feel ready for it? No, but what did I have to lose? We’ve worked our butts off for this. 

I left my first Third Level test feeling okay about it; excited that we made it through the test in a relaxed manner, but felt we had a lot to improve on. I wasn’t expecting a 64.4%! Holy cow! The next show was in 90-degree heat, and an extremely early morning. I had a few weeks to work out the kinks from the last show, so I felt more confident this time. I go by myself to shows. It’s something I have always done. Just a day well spent with my horse. That day, we just synced together. The test felt amazing for what we were capable of. That feeling of owning that arena, so focused and comfortable, you could almost play with the dance of the test. We won the class with a 67.7%! The connection Preston and I have built together has really just blossomed into something so beautiful, and something I cannot put into words. 

Here is a horse that I never thought could make it past Training Level, let alone help earn me my USDF Bronze Rider Medal. We have both grown and learned so much together over these past five years. Correct dressage can’t be rushed. I know there will be more challenges, more basics to revisit, and hey, he is 20 now. He doesn’t owe me anything, but I’m not willing to give up yet if he’s not either. Out of all the horses I could have gotten my bronze on, it meant the world to me that it was him.