Throughout December 2025, we featured heavy breeds and heavy breed crosses on YourDressage, finding out just how beloved these Heavy Hitters are to our community – so much so, we couldn’t fit all the stories into one month!
Here, a rider from Region 5 tells us about her draft mare who, in addition to dancing her way to achievements in the show ring, heals those in need through equine-assisted therapy.
By Arianna Armstrong-Suto
My name is Arianna Armstrong-Suto, and Belle is my Clydesdale mare, my partner, and truly my best friend. I received Belle in March of 2025 as an early birthday and graduation gift while working toward completing my doctorate degree – something that still feels surreal to say out loud. Clydesdales have always been my dream horse, especially in the dressage world, but I never imagined how deeply this horse would change my life in such a short time.
Belle came into my life during a season of tribulation; I was facing significant health challenges while balancing doctoral studies, family life, and my work in equine-assisted interventions. Before she arrived, I was honestly very close to giving up on riding altogether. My body felt unreliable, my confidence was shaken, and the future I had imagined for myself in horses felt uncertain. Belle changed all of that. She didn’t just bring me back to riding – she reminded me why I fell in love with horses in the first place.
Although Belle had never received any formal dressage training before coming to me, she stepped into this new world with a willing heart and quiet determination. I had no expectations of qualifying for championships in our first season together. In fact, I wasn’t sure we would even make it that far. Yet somehow, through patience, trust, and a lot of learning together, we qualified for the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society Championships and went on to win the Open Intro Level class. To add to an already unforgettable year, Belle was also honored as Draft Horse of the Year by my local dressage club, the Arkansas Valley Dressage Association – an achievement that meant so much to us as a heavy-breed pair stepping into the dressage arena.
Riding a draft horse in dressage is an incredible experience. Belle’s heart is enormous – you can feel it every moment you’re in the saddle. She genuinely loves going into the dressage arena, and she always seems so proud of herself when she gives her best effort. There’s something incredibly special about guiding such a large, powerful horse who is also deeply gentle and emotionally aware. At times, Belle prefers to take life at her own pace – she knows just how big she is and isn’t in a rush about anything. I often joke that if I were riding Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, it would be Belle. She makes me laugh daily, especially when she decides that “slow and steady” is the only speed worth considering.
One of our biggest accomplishments this year has been learning to canter and consistently pick up the correct lead. It might sound simple to some, but for us, it represented growth, persistence, and trust – especially since my personal goal was simply to canter and keep her going forward. Every milestone with Belle feels meaningful because we reached it together.
Beyond the show ring, Belle is also my partner in my equine-assisted intervention program. As I continue working toward completing my doctorate degree, my passion for the healing connection between horses and humans continues to grow. Belle shares her incredible heart with children and adults who are walking their own healing journeys. The most special thing about Belle is her calming presence. She has a remarkable gift for helping people feel safe, grounded, and seen. She loves to rest her head against someone’s chest, encouraging them to breathe, slow down, and be fully present in the moment. Love, comfort, and healing seem to radiate from her naturally.
This past year of riding and partnership with Belle has taught me that you don’t have to be perfect to follow your dreams. You just have to love what you do and keep smiling through the hard parts. Balancing my health, my education, and my goals has not always been easy, but Belle believes in me – even on my hardest days – and I truly believe she takes care of me just as much as I take care of her. She follows my dreams as faithfully as I follow hers.
I never imagined how far we would come in such a short time, and I’m incredibly excited for what lies ahead. We’re looking forward to 2026, moving up to Training Level, and sharing many more adventures together.
If there’s one thing I hope others take from our story, it’s this: never stop following your dreams, no matter how big or how small they feel. Believe in yourself, keep showing up, and trust that the right horse – your dream horse – might believe in you even more than you believe in yourself.
Belle truly is my dream horse come true.
