The 5-Year-Old P.R.E. Mare Who Refused to Be Overshadowed by Warmblood Heavyweights
By Amy Griffin
From the moment she was born, SW Haida’s destiny was to stand out. Bred by Sheilah Maria Melsness of Sleeping Willow Ranch, and sired by the magnificent RHF LEON, this five-year-old Pura Raza Española (PRE) mare commands attention the moment she steps into an arena. But, her 2026 season proved that she is far more than just a striking, statuesque presence. She is a fierce competitor with the heart of a champion.
When you walk into an Open division dominated by seasoned, massive warmbloods, it is easy to feel like an underdog. While SW Haida matches them in height, at a proud 17 hands, entering the sandbox as a young Iberian mare among traditional moving giants comes with its own set of tough odds. Yet, what she might have lacked in traditional warmblood style, she more than made up for with massive talent, heart, and undeniable presence.
Against the Odds: SW Haida’s Royal Ascent to the Region 3 Championships
After a stellar 2026 qualifying season, Haida had punched her ticket to the competitive Great American/USDF Region 3 Championships in Conyers, Georgia. At just five years old, she was going to be facing a massive field of elite athletes in the Open divisions.
The Journey to Conyers
Our 2026 journey culminated in an unforgettable weekend at the Region 3 Championships. The atmosphere at the historic Georgia International Horse Park was electric, but Haida remained focused. Competing in the Open division means professional trainers and powerhouse warmbloods bred specifically to be capable of massive extensions. As a young P.R.E., Haida had to rely on her natural balance, incredible work ethic, and rapid progression in self-carriage.
Shining in the Championship Ring
Piloted by her trainer Lily Barlow, Haida entered the highly competitive Open division at Training and First Levels. She would be going toe-to-toe with some of the country’s finest, big-moving warmbloods. Haida held her own beautifully against the stiff competition.
She delivered beyond my wildest dreams. In a highly competitive field, Haida danced her way to an 8th place finish out of nineteen horses in the Training Level Open Championship.
As we moved up the levels, her maturity shone even brighter. In the First Level Open Championship, a level that truly tests a young horse’s developing thrust and obedience, she was brilliant and precise. Against an exceptional lineup of twenty-two horses, Haida captured 6th place overall. Standing in the ribbons at a Regional Championship as a five-year-old is an honor; doing it in the Open division against standard-setters of the sport is a testament to her extraordinary heart.
2026 Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards
To top off an already incredible 2026 season that I will never forget, SW Haida proved her world-class athletic capability by being named the Adequan®/USDF 2026 All Breeds Champion for First Level Open from the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA).
The Adult Amateur Dream for 2027
Haida represents everything that makes the Pura Raza Española breed magical: baroque elegance, intelligence, and an unshakeable desire to please. This year, she wasn’t just a champion for her breed registry, she proved that Iberian horses are serious, formidable contenders in mainstream open dressage.
While Haida has proven herself in the Open division with an unforgettable 2026 season in the books, our partnership is entering an exciting new chapter for 2027. Our eyes are locked on the future, and in 2027, I will be taking the reins myself to guide this special, amazing young mare down centerline. As an adult amateur, my ultimate goal is to partner with Haida to earn my USDF Rider Medals.
I am so proud of Haida, her journey is just beginning, and I cannot wait to be the pilot in the saddle for the next chapter of her story!
