My rescue horse, Banjo, and I were both new to the sport of eventing. ?It can be challenging when both horse and rider are new to a sport.
I wanted to do what was best for my horse. So I decided to learn more about eventing from a schoolmaster, a horse that’s experienced in the discipline, before going any further.
Luckily for me, my trainer had just the horse, Ruby! She was a small appendix, Quarter Horse Thoroughbred, mare with lots of go, and she was a pro at jumping and cross-country.
I started taking jumping and cross-country lessons on Ruby. She was a careful jumper and knew how to approach the jumps correctly, so beginning riders we able to just hold on and go for the ride.
It was Ruby who took me on my first cross-country outing, not Banjo. I highly recommend this way of learning to all riders. It’s fun to learn with an experienced horse.
I found out quickly that galloping wilding through the cross-country course, which is how I had envisioned it, wasn’t an option. I was taught to slow down and have a controlled canter or slow gallop. Ruby preferred a much faster pace, but we were able to find a happy medium.
With Ruby’s help, I was able to try solid fences, ditches, banks, and water crossings. It was fun to learn how to ride these new challenges, and Ruby was a patient and gracious teacher.
We did so well together, my trainer suggested we enter a small, one-day training event. I was thrilled! My first event.
Events are usually spread out into two or three days, but this one was all packed into one day. Each discipline; dressage, stadium and cross country require a different type of tack and apparel. So, there was a frantic flurry of changing show outfits and scurrying to arenas, but we had a blast and learned a lot.
We ended up in sixth place, and I was thrilled! What a fun introduction to a new sport. Thank you Ruby!
If you want more information on rescue horses or you want to locate a rescue near you, please check out AHomeForEveryHorse.com. Equine.com and the Active Interest Media Equine Network have joined forces with the American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition to launch A Home for Every Horse Project.
This project helps find homes for America’s 170,000 to 200,000 horses in need of care and shelter.
Here’s how it works:
- Begin the search for your next equine partner at AHomeForEveryHorse.com. You can search horses waiting for homes at nonprofit shelters across the country. Browse by rescue horse, or find rescue organizations in your area.
- Visit the site’s “Services” section to learn about your local rescue organizations. Find out how you can volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word.
- Look for upcoming stories on EquiSearch.com related to horse rescue.
If your 501(c)(3) rescue organization would like to join the Home For Every Horse Project, call (866) 467-7323. Equine.com is a part of Active Interest Media Equine Network.
