Submitted by Katie: Squirrely Acres Cadillac is a pure percheron gelding, who has shown up to Second Level dressage. We dabbled in western dressage this year. Born prematurely, he has turned into a talented riding horse!
Heavy Hitters! Throughout the month of December, we are featuring heavy horses and heavy breed crosses! We recently asked our social media followers to share a photo of their favorite heavy breed or heavy breed cross partner, and tell us a little about them for a chance to be featured in an upcoming gallery highlighting these gentle giants. Check out some of the superstars they love to dance with.
LSH Top Gun is a 6 year old Gypsy/Haflinger that came to me for training, I fell in love with and purchased as a 3 year old. He has waaaay too much hair, squeals like a dolphin, is incredibly playful, agile and athletic, and is definitely too smart for his own good. As a dressage rider he was definitely NOT what I was looking for, but he brought me SO much joy I thought, “meh… I’ll just have fun!” Well… this little guy (who is built like a tank) has held his own and proven himself worthy against his warmblood competitors while I sit astride him and sssssmmmmmiiiiiillllle. Best.purchase.ever. 🥰 – Julie J. Read Julie and LSH Top Gun’s storyRomeo! A 14 year old Belgian gelding schooling first and second level! Year end champion for our schooling show series last year from training level with scores in the mid to upper 70’s. Previously Amish and abused and neglected. Now living the spoiled life! – Shelby C.My former classical dressage mount turned western dressage, Half Arabian-Half Friesian mare, Lola!!
Some of you may remember her story for overcoming laminitis to make it back to the dressage court! – NicoleLegacy Mover 2012 Cleveland bay Sport horse stallion. 2023 USDF All breeds award winner at Prix St. George and 2024 winner at I1 for the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America – Laura E.This is Elias. He is a 20year old 17.2 Belgian/TB who is competing second level and schooling third level. He spent the last 2 years doing some light trail riding and living a relaxed life. I started riding him in March of this year and brought him back into work slowly. We started at training level in the spring and finished the season at second level. He has the best personality and always draws a crowd at the shows. – Dawn Read Dawn and Elias’s storyKimberly Mitchell shared Oso Grande “Bear” (draft cross of unknown origin) with me the last few years! He last showed GP with Kim when he was 10, and I took him out at 20 last/this year at I1 and GP.
Getting him back into GP shape was hard – pi/pa is hard for drafties! It took a year and a few tries – but I got my gold this year! He is the best!
His favorite thing is a hand gallop – and with those feet, you can hear him coming a mile away! – Heidi E.Prince Royale “Roy” 3 yr old Friesian/ Clyde that is an absolute dream to be around, competing in his first show at Devon and looking forward to many trips down centerline! – Mike B.These #heavyhorses are the best because of the size of their hearts they share with us. They try so hard and do amazing things that are not easy for them. Gotham (Grizz) is my Perch/Dutch cross. Bought him as a 3yo and he took us from Training all the way to the GP, earning all of our medals, opening doors and taking us on our journey of a lifetime which included showing in our first AA CDI. He truly is an amazing horse. – Sara S.This is Tesoro, my 8 yo Belgium X Scottish Highland Pony X Hackney cross. Buckle up because this may be a long one but he deserves every word !
Tesoro came into my life at a point where I was not even aware I needed him. I had just about given up on my dreams of riding and showing as I had been through a string of life changes including lame riding horses, climbing a corporate ladder, and becoming a new mom.
Our story has had many ups and downs however, i can tell you through his healing and our partnership building he has taught me many valuable lessons .
He has taught me to “do it anyway” even in the face of fear , a motto that was heard around here a lot in our early partnership, how to slow down and be present, and how to celebrate the small wins. However, quite possibly the most important lesson he has taught me is to have faith and believe in myself as a rider again.
Thanks to my wonderful support system of family , friends, and trainers i can say with confidence he is becoming my dream horse and I can not wait to see what letters we get to dance between!
“A horse does not care how much you know until he knows how much you care. Put your hand on your horse and your heart in your hand ” Pat Parelli – Cindy F. Read Cindy and Tesoro’s storyGannicus LF, my Morgan/draft cross that I purchased from a circus and originally planned to just trail ride after decades away from riding and horse ownership. He has been the best boy learning dressage with me. Gannicus was USDF region 6 champion at training level with my trainer his first year out. I’ve earned my 1st level scores towards my bronze medal with him and we are currently working on 2nd and third level for next season. We call him Gannicus the Great, and he is. – Nissa L.My beautiful 7 year old Black Forest Draft mare, OU Dreams Monte Mirabella. This is a very rare breed from Germany, there’s only a couple dozen in the United States. This has been an incredible show season for her, her most recent win being high point dressage at the 2025 Festival of the Gypsies in Red Bluff, CA in September. Mirabella is also currently pregnant with a purebred Black Forest Draft baby due in June. This breed is very versatile, and loving with the calm, no drama attitude of a draft. – Lynn G.Athena ❤️ my 7yo, 17.2hh Clydesdale mare. An Amish horse from Missouri, she was in horrible condition when I bought her as a 3yo. She has a big personality but is solid and steady, and she gave me the confidence to get back in the show ring 12 years after I swore I would never show again. We showed 2nd level this year, and we are working toward getting our bronze medal, hopefully next year. She is truly worth her (very heavy) weight in gold! – Julia P.This is Crossed Sabres, aka “Boo”- a 2011 model, 17.3, 1700# Shire Sporthorse (Shire/DWB) gelding. I got him when he was 4 to be my next police partner. I should never have been able to get him- he was too expensive and out of my budget. His amazing breeder told me to come down to South Carolina and meet him and , if what he thought was true, I had found my new partner. I reminded him that he was well out of my budget and he told me that didn’t matter- I could pay what my budget allowed. He tried to die that first winter (no, literally tried to die- 16 days in isolation at Ohio State for a never determined illness). In the past, I have shown him jumpers, low level dressage, and eventing. My friend (pictured with him) currently shows him at Third level. He is also still a working police horse and got to work security for the Kentucky Derby this past May! – Taya W.-B.Here’s my kiddos! When my little was little, he met this beautiful girl as a lesson horse. They bonded so strongly, I offered to buy her multiple times. When the program decided to sell her a couple of years ago, we jumped at the chance and made her ours. By the sheer power of his will, and the best horse friends in the world, we started our new life together. The two of them fell in love with dressage, and competed for the first time ever this fall. They did really well! We can’t wait to see what the future will bring for Ethan and our darling Abby. They are both 14yo, and she’s a Fjord❤️ – Olga S. Read Ethan and Abby’s storyTranquillitas “Noah” named for the Roman god of tranquility. He is an 8 year old Belgian/Paint x who loves dressage and is a novice level eventer too! He qualified for his first dressage championship this year at Training level—regularly earning scores in the 70s and ready for his 1st level debut. He’s the first horse who has ever made me truly love the sport of dressage!! He might be big, but he rides like a sports car and can jump the moon! He is a big goofball but the kindest, gentlest boy. I am so excited for my future with him. ❤️ – Woz N.Oz’s Bugatti “Lucky” he’s a 7 year Cob he tries so hard and we have lots of fun. He is the Training Level All Breed Champion for Gypsy Vanner Horse Society – Wendi E.ZHoliday of Legend Woods Freisian Percheron OTTB cross. She is 21 and when I bought her 11 years ago we started our dressage journey together as AA! Our goal for 2026 is to get our bronze together! We are 3 scores away! Once we achieve that, I hope to ride her in a centennial ride! She is my ♥️horse! – Tina R.Peanut is a rare American Cream Draft Cross 💛 Despite her breed and size she has come a long way in the dressage ring and I am so very proud of her! – Nicole B.my 23yo 14.2hhh welsh cob Waterford Baccalaureate is competing at third level and has brought me all the way up from into. we’ve learned everything together. he was a trail pony when I first got him and now he mainly competed in dressage but we also have done some ranch riding, trail challenges, jumping, roping, game shows, equitation, and anything else we ever feel like tackling. we’ve competed at region 8 championships multiple times, Dressage4Kids youth festivals, National Dressage Pony Cup, and the US Dressage Finals. he’s always game to try something new for me. – MacKenzie P.Love my Dutch Harness X Canadian Sport Horse mare, Luxe. We primarily focus on dressage (made our 3rd level debut this past season) but we also cross train in the hunter jumper ring. We tried to be eventers but turns out I’m too big a wimp to jump solid objects in a field and prefer to stay in a sandbox. She has a great attitude and is open to just about anything, including dressing up for all the holidays! – Caitlin S.I’m a pararider doing Grand prix test A for Grade 5 with my ardenner/irish cob. She is 9 years old and 144cm. – Margareta S.My heart horse Wiesje was a Friesian I evented with but usually placed pretty well in dressage. We also dabbled in Western dressage. She was a traditional style, thick, baroque Friesian and was a solid 1200lbs at her fittest – Kristi B.My heavy horse (my best friend) is a 13.2 HH 16 yr old full Gypsy Vanner gelding named Guinness Stout. We are both pictured at 2025 Region 4 Championships this year. What wins my heart most about the heavy horses is that they have a heart of gold and give their all to you! We are working on our bronze medal and have a score already for 2026 regionals. Guinness is #4 at Training Level for the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society All Breed Awards. – Sarah K.-G. Read Sarah and Guinness Stout’s updateThis is Adagio, former Amish work horse who is now a fun partner for schooling dressage shows (first level this year!) and starter trials (beginner novice). – Emily S.Elenor is a 6 y/o Fjord Mare and I am an AA in Dallas Texas! We took home First place for Training Level in AllBreeds for our PO this year and we are working on advancing to first level and a first level freestyle next show season! – Paige P.
