Griff: My Pinto Partner in Dressage and Life

The Phenomenal Paint Horse! Throughout the month of March, we are featuring Paints and Paint crosses.

Did you know… dressage riders who choose a member of this historic breed as their mounts are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as the American Paint Horse Association is a participating organization?

Despite both experiencing debilitating injuries, this Region 2 rider shares how she and her horse were able to recover and jump back into the ring, successfully climbing to the FEI levels!

By Sari Wildman

Griff (Gyrfalcon) is my 24-year-old Hanoverian (by a Bolero grandson) × American Paint Horse (from the Mr. Norfleet line) cross, whom I first met when he was just three years old. At the time, he was owned by a wonderful young woman near Syracuse who had done excellent groundwork with him – lunging, early handling, and even introducing him to a saddle and rider shortly before I flew out to meet them.

When I first saw Griff, he looked every bit the gangly teenager – 15.2 hands, thin, with impossibly long legs. Bravely (or perhaps foolishly), I climbed aboard while he was on the lunge line and walked him both directions. I even coaxed a little trot out of him, though he was quite unbalanced and unsure of what to do. What struck me most, however, was his willingness – and the complete absence of any buck. After the usual negotiations and vet check, Griff made the journey home to me near the Illinois–Wisconsin border.

Today, I am approaching my 66th birthday, and I was 45 when Griff came into my life. My riding journey began at age 11 when I became a proud “barn rat.” I was fortunate enough to ride many different horses across multiple disciplines through my college years. My parents supported my lessons when I was young, but made it clear that if I wanted a horse of my own, I would have to afford it myself.

I reached that goal at 32 when I adopted my first horse, Taylor Eight, an Anglo-Arabian from the Hooved Animal Humane Society in Woodstock, Illinois. Taylor was with me for 28 wonderful years. Together we trail rode, attended jumping clinics, and eventually discovered that dressage was our true calling. Later, I also had the pleasure of breaking out and training a lovely Lipizzan mare from Tempel Farms, whom I brought to Third Level before deciding she was simply more horse than my five-foot frame could comfortably manage. She went on to motherhood, and that’s when Griff entered my life.

Griff’s development required patience. He simply would not stop growing. Just as I would think we were ready to introduce something new, I would arrive at the barn to find him stretched out asleep in his stall, only to stand up noticeably taller, either “butt high” or “withers high.” Eventually, he finished growing at just over 17 hands. For reference, I am five feet tall with a 28-inch inseam. Fortunately, Griff has never realized how big he is and remains a joy to ride.

Because I never had the financial means for full-time professional training until later in our journey, Griff patiently worked his way through Third Level with me, figuring things out as we went. We were progressing nicely until injuries sidelined us. I underwent two surgeries at age 51, and Griff suffered a serious accident when an inexperienced handler accidentally backed him into the blades of a manure spreader. Griff cut his left cheek badly and severed the extensor tendon in his left hind after double-barreling the blades. While bringing him back from that injury, I managed to dislocate my shoulder. Those setbacks cost us nearly three years of training, but Griff never lost his enthusiasm. As long as he could get out to play – and receive a few treats – he was happy.

When we returned to consistent Third Level work, I knew we needed help to move further up the levels. I sold my truck and trailer and moved Griff to Fireside Farm to train with Jessica Nilles. Working with Jessica was truly a blessing. Despite our dramatic height difference -Jessica tall and me very short – she helped Griff and me maintain our partnership while improving our effectiveness in the saddle. While I may never look elegant riding such a large horse, Jessica helped me become as effective as possible.

Under her guidance, we successfully moved into Fourth Level and eventually Prix St. Georges (PSG). Although I only had one full show season at PSG and our scores varied widely, Griff helped me earn both my USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. We even experimented with some Intermediate-1 work, and during one winter “Fun Day Sunday,” a friend helped me successfully manage a number of one-tempi changes.

As Griff approached 23, and both of us required a bit more maintenance, I decided it was time to give him a well-earned change of pace. Trails have always been his favorite, and he happily sidles alongside fences or rocks so I can climb aboard wherever we are. In the arena, he still enjoys a playful game of “chicken,” though he remains wonderfully respectful when I remind him of the rules.

Training my own horses over the years has taught me a great deal about correct horsemanship. I have experienced plenty of ups and downs, but I’ve studied the masters, attended clinics with excellent trainers, and most importantly, listened to my horses. They have been my gym, my therapist, and my greatest teachers. Even while working full-time, knowing Griff is waiting at the barn – ready, willing, and happy to see me – keeps me going.

Griff has given me many proud moments, and while the ribbons and medals are certainly nice, one memory stands above the rest. At a Lamplight show a few years ago, the evening before competition began, I was riding through the arenas when I came upon a young rider struggling to get her horse to pass the banners along the wall. The horse was backing up and rearing slightly, and the rider was becoming frustrated. I offered to ride between them and the banners since Griff didn’t mind them at all. We walked both directions together, then switched places so she rode closest to the banners. Her horse relaxed, trotted forward, and continued schooling.

The next day, after finishing a ride with my trainer, one of the show’s Technical Delegates approached us. She had watched the entire interaction the night before because she had been concerned for the young rider. She told me that if the show had offered a good sportsmanship award, she would have recommended Griff and me for it. I was deeply flattered – but truly, Griff makes those moments easy. Ninety-nine percent of the time, he is simply a steady, generous partner.

Now we look forward to a quieter chapter together – trail riding, perhaps some camping trips with barn friends, and plenty of time spent simply enjoying each other’s company. I have never been drawn to the “typical” dressage horse, and having my colorful Paint cross has been a blessing.

As a little girl, I collected porcelain horse figurines. My favorite was a black-and-white pinto Shetland pony that I still have today. Griff may be bay and white – and considerably taller, but in many ways, he is the living version of that childhood dream. For more than twenty years, he has been my pinto pony, my partner, and my teacher.

If you ever find a beautiful pinto you are considering as a dressage partner, don’t hesitate to explore their potential. Griff has three lovely gaits and always turns heads. Judges have complimented his flowing tail, and one even joked that we deserved ten points simply for how handsome he is.

Evaluate the horse for what they are, and if they happen to have color? All the better!