Every body is an equestrian body, which is why August is focusing on size inclusivity on YourDressage. As we share the stories, struggles, and triumphs of plus-size equestrians from across the country, our friends at Horse Dazzle and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel have graciously partnered with us to sponsor a #DressageForEveryBody2026 giveaway for three lucky readers!
By Heidi Coghill
My name is Heidi Coghill and I live in Oviedo, Florida. My horse Quinn (Sovereigns Gift) and I are working towards my USDF Bronze Rider Medal. What a journey it has been. Quinn, a 16.1-hand Friesian gelding by Doaitsen 420 Sport and out of Ursula W, is my gift.
Quinn isn’t just any horse; he becomes very animated when he’s done something well, and when he is trying to figure something out, you teach it to him and have to leave him for a couple days to process and ponder it. Usually, I can go back and he’s spot on. He is what I would consider a “deep thinker.”
When Quinn was born, I didn’t think I would ever own such an AMAZING horse. However, he had a lot to overcome; he was windswept on his right hind, and he had been foaled out not breathing, upside down, and breech. Following his birth, Quinn had to be hung upside down to drain him of fluid. In order for him to nurse for the first time, Ruth, his breeder, had to milk his dam for his first feeding to ensure he received the nutrient-dense colostrum. Our amazing vet, Dr. David Grinsteid of Harrison County, Kentucky, had given him a 5% chance of living at birth.
Within twelve hours, Quinn was standing. To correct the angular deformity of his right hind leg, casts and special shoes were put on his back legs to straighten them out. The first time he was allowed in the indoor arena, he decided that walking wasn’t worth the time, instead taking off at a full gallop and jumping an errant hay bale. He certainly gave Ruth heart palpitations that day! I would say that, eleven years later, we beat those odds. Quinn certainly never takes things in half steps.
At three months old I bought Quinn, but he had stolen my heart from the first moment I saw him. My boy that had life by both hooves, so to speak, had taken my heart in his hooves and ran away with it. There was no way I could walk away; our hearts chose each other.
Over the last several years, we have had so many things go right in our journey, and so many other things go wrong. More times than not, I thought about hanging up my helmet. But Quinn would look at me with his big kind eyes and say, “We can do it!”
In June of 2023, I had an accident that resulted in a brain bleed, all of the ribs on my right side being broken, a locked jaw, a broken collarbone, herniated disks, and not knowing myself for several weeks. While this might seem like A LOT to most people, in all honesty it was a small thing, because I couldn’t go to the barn to just breathe with my boy. I couldn’t focus on what our dream was, which was getting our Bronze Medal before I turned 50.
Having kids, and making sure they were raised well and that their education was paramount always came before my riding goals. Now, though, it was my time. But I was down and out. So, the process of healing and working through some feelings and confidence issues began. I had been the only one to come off Quinn, and until my accident, he was still intact. In August of 2023, I made the decision to geld my ten-year-old stallion. Since then, what a CHANGE!!
That decision was the beginning of Quinn and I’s return. Quinn and I had been showing in Florida, and doing well, but now we were starting the hard stuff: the return of our relationship.
My relationship with my horse isn’t just about riding him, it’s about being with him and knowing him. It’s the fact that I know he loves plantains over bananas. It’s the fact that he has to have a discussion with me about the birds that fly around our farm every day – “They are TOTALLY out to get me, mom!” It’s the fact that my heart calms down when I see him, and I breathe easier knowing he’s right outside in the barn. My very own real-life black beauty!
The strength of our partnership has returned, and even exceeded what it was in the last six months. Quinn and I are a balanced set; one doesn’t move without the other’s ok (most of the time, at least). He has his opinions, and I have mine. We have worked hard to build this understanding, and I don’t take that for granted.
It has meant getting up at 5am to ride because of his anhidrosis. It means sacrificing some precious time with my husband, who travels to Texas for work and is often only home for four days at a time. But I have a goal, and I have to ride. It has meant that some Sundays I am not able to go to church because I have a lesson.
Horsemanship isn’t just about sitting in the saddle – it’s what you do out of the saddle that counts. When your horse follows you – not just out of respect, but out of love and devotion – that’s when you have a real relationship, and that’s what I have with Quinn.
Quinn’s and my greatest accomplishment is our relationship to training and to each other. Friesians are known for being one person horses, and he is definitely MINE; I am Mom! We are working most mornings before the rest of the barn has even gotten going. When I walk out to the paddock, he’s usually standing right at the gate, waiting for me. I am not a morning person, so it’s nice to know he’s not going to talk my ear off (lol). Besides that, it’s knowing that we are accomplishing this goal together.
The most special thing about my horse is that he loves me unconditionally, and so I love him unconditionally in return! He’s an above average GOOFBALL, believes he is Fabio, and that birds are evil. I wouldn’t have him any other way.
I have learned throughout my many years in the horse industry (I own and run my own barn here in central Florida) that being a “rider” is one thing, but being a true horseman is another. People tell me all the time that I put voices to my horses, and I do. I have studied each of my horses – the way they move, the way they like things, the way they nicker, the way they sleep. I take everything I learn, not just from my horses but from my mentors as well, and I use that every day. When you can take all those lessons that you learn day in and day out, along with the ups and downs, and not let them put you in a hole of darkness, that’s what makes a true horseman.
I have struggled with feeling like I belong in so many parts of my life. Hilda Donahue once said to me, “You are going against yourself! Represent no one else, but you!” I really took that to heart.
I don’t ride for anyone else anymore. I ride for the honor of riding my boy, and for the joy of it. If we had a great fun ride, who cares about the score! So, to anyone who feels like you don’t belong, I’ve been there and done that. Remember you are riding and doing this for you, not for everyone else! You are the only one that matters! Everyone else’s thoughts – whether good, bad, or indifferent – are often just worth a shoulder shrug!!
My trainers, Hilda Donahue and Jeff Boederdorf, have been a HUGE support to me during this journey. Not only have they calmed me, but they have guided me when I didn’t think I could do it myself. I give a huge thank you to them, for without them I truly wouldn’t be where I am today. I also want to make sure I thank Becky Greco, I don’t honestly know if I could walk into my barn most mornings without her. To my barn family, you are the BEST!
Many say that my husband and family have “allowed” me to chase this dream – haha. My husband has literally just smiled, and bought bags and bags of plantains for Quinn. So thank you and I love you so much; there would be no me without you!!
