In this story, a rider from Region 3 shares how she was able to achieve her ultimate goal with the help of a “tricky” gelding named Leo.
By Heather Fitzpatrick
Early on in my adult life, I focused on my children – baseball, softball, basketball, playdates, and more. Once that season of my life had settled, I happened to go on a trail ride with a friend, and a passion was reignited.
My experience with horses was limited to two years of riding hunter/jumpers in my early twenties, on lesson horses, and sharing a half-leased horse with a friend.
The idea of riding again consumed me. I was now in my forties and was sure I did not want to try to pick up jumping again. I saw a Jane Savoie video on dressage by accident, and the harmony and precision of horse and rider was picture-perfect in my mind. When it came to dressage, the general consensus was that it was a difficult sport, one that took major dedication of time and effort. Given that I love a challenge, this seemed like it was right up my alley.
I began searching for dressage barns close by and found a trainer who claimed to teach dressage. The lesson horses that I rode were sour, and I was not having fun. I thought that maybe I needed my own horse to bond, learn, and grow with. So, the journey to find my partner began.
I found a beautiful five-year-old mare in Wellington. She was a Gypsy Vanner/Oldenburg cross, and I fell in love with her instantly. I started to do intense research on classical dressage and was convinced that the trainer I was with was not, in fact, a true dressage trainer. She was an excellent rider, but when I questioned how I was supposed to get my horse onto the outside rein, she told me, “Don’t worry about that.” Fast forward to her putting draw reins on my horse and my horse bucking me off, which was the final straw. I was ready to sell this beautiful dream of mine.
Luckily, I found a true professional – a USDF Gold Medalist and a trainer very well respected in the dressage community. We trailered to her place once a week for several years. Our gaits improved, and our understanding and knowledge were tenfold what it was when we started. My husband, who is allergic to horses, found a twenty-five-acre parcel to build our home and barn just so that my heart horse would be outside our door!
We began competing and earned our First and Second Level scores for my USDF Bronze Medal. Eight years later, we were working towards Third Level when tragedy struck. She developed laminitis and, sadly, did not make it. My world was shattered. What was I supposed to do? I knew I was not done riding, and I had not earned my USDF Bronze Medal, which was my ultimate goal.
As the shock wore off, I began searching, in earnest, for a new horse. I emailed every dressage barn and trainer in Florida looking for that magical unicorn.
One of my friends drove all hours and all over with me trying to find my glass slipper. Each time, riding a new horse was nerve-wracking. I had only ridden one horse for all those years, and now my confidence was nowhere to be found. I kissed a lot of frogs before I found my prince.
As luck would have it, an acquaintance told me of a “dressage horse” at a jumper barn. A claim I had heard before. But I reached out and the seller provided me with his USDF number, so I was able to look up his competition record and see that he did indeed meet all of my needs – on paper, at least.
My test ride on Leo convinced me that he had it all in there, but was a bit rusty. My friend Debra said, “He’s the one.”
In today’s age of computers, I found his previous owner, and she graciously gave me some information about him. He did not like to show and was a bit tricky, but he did well at her mom’s backyard farm. Upon hearing that, I thought to myself, “Wow, I have a backyard farm, I bet he would be great here.”
Leo was a challenging, complex, and sensitive horse to ride. It felt like I was riding a giraffe for months. We took countless lessons, where I got tossed, and we had to try several different riding strategies. I swear that I felt like I did not know how to ride.
But, like an onion, I peeled back Leo’s layers. After two years of blood, sweat, and tears, Leo and I made our debut at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, where we had yet another learning experience: I discovered that he needed a perfect little prep, turn out, and a pleasant showing experience to ensure our success.
It was on our second trip to WEC, a few months later, that we earned my second and final Third Level score needed for my bronze medal. We are leaps and bounds above the rides in the early days together. Our partnership is now one of harmony, compatibility, and mutual respect. Presently, we are preparing for our Fourth Level debut, and look forward to earning my USDF Silver Medal.
As an older adult amateur, I can attest that dreams do come true, albeit sometimes in a different package than you expect. Keep in the saddle and enjoy the gift of partnership with these magnificent animals you have been given.
