Meet Ghlenlivet, affectionately known as Ghlen or Ghlennie. He is owned by Greg and Nancy Stanton of Chardon, OH. Nancy is the Grand Prix trainer at
Sendon Way Equestrian Center. Sendon Way is a family affair with Nancy being the trainer, Sharon being quite involved, and Greg & Nancy and Bob and Bernie living on the property. The horses have 24 hour care. Their awesome groom is Alex.
I met them when looking for a horse for purchase when I thought I might have sponsorship to that end. That ended up falling through, but maybe I can find another way to one day own this lovely, kind hearted, talented boy. There are not many horses I get on and they immediately feel like a glove. Umm, not that I could sit his HUGE trot right away, but that he just fit. He lifted up into me and I was carried by him. The rhythm from his gait settled into my head where I was able to get my cues to land at the appropriate time without 10 days of practice on him. (There is alot I have to compensate for the land both sides of my cue at the same moment and in the correct moment of the stride.) From the moment I saw him, I was smitten and wished there was a way I could own him. But it was not to be. I approached them about the possibility of trying to take him to the 2012 Paralympic Selection Trials instead of purchasing him at this time. God must have been smiling at me, the stars all aligned and the Stanton's graciously offered to take Ghlen off the market until after the Paralympic Games in London. These people took me in like their own and have graciously made themselves available in every way possible to help this happen. Look for us in London!
To the Stanton's and Lewis' - from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity with this special boy. It's been love at first site with him - an instant bond that doesn't happen very often in a lifetime. Stay tuned! We plan to knock everyone's socks off :)
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Meet Classic Star! Star, Starstar, Starmeister has been a horse I have been riding for about 4 years now. His owner is Beverly Rardin. She contacted me several years back and told me she had a jumping horse who was getting up in years and knew he had some dressage training (but wasn't completely sure how much - around maybe 4th level) and would I come work with him to see what kind of dressage he knew and could get back after being out of it for so long. I needed a horse to ride and she needed her horse to be ridden. So it was a perfect fit!
I took the first two years to build up his back strength and hind end as he had been ridden in a hunter/jumper frame instead of a FEI dressage frame for the last 10 years or so - give or take. Gradually, he began to build up his different muscles and began to love his dressage work. We were starting things like 1/2 passes at the trot and canter, collected and medium canter, 1/2 step trots, etc.... He had obviously had some dressage training up to at least I1. One day, he began to offer 2 tempi and was so proud of himself! I didn't ask for it, but I was certainly happy at his exuberance! After that first day, he would offer 2 tempis whenever he was excited and happy with his work.
Beverly and I began to search for his passport. We tracked it down and low and behold, Star is not 15 or 16 like we thought, but 24! Not only that, he was a Grand Prix jumper in his younger years and had attended the big wig shows in Aachen and such. So we decided to try and make a bid for London with the 24, going on 4 year old. Only Star had some interim plans. With his spunk and spirit we all know, he decides that kicking his stall wall might be a fun thing to do. In the process, he broke his splint bone. We think he may have at that time also injured his suspensory in that leg because all his xrays had been clean to that point for suspensory injuries. It's been a process getting him back. But Star is all heart and loves a job. Then in the middle of rehabbing him, I had an injury and was out for 4 months. I'm back. Star's back. I am willing to work and see what he can do as long as he is wanting to try and is not injured. So we are working to get to Selection Trials. So far, so good...but he has a long way to go to get the stiffness out from being off for so long. He is also a bit emotional with things, which is new for him. So I'm taking it one day at a time and seeing what he can do each day. We are working every day on getting there and I have no doubt as to his "want to" and drive. It will be fun to give him a chance in his golden years to shine on the international stage one more time. For me, it's more about the relationship than the goal - so if he ever decides he can't - or if he is in danger of being injured again, we won't do it. The horse comes first. Always. But if he can, then we will.
Beverly has also taken me under her wing and adopted me. She has done absolutely everything possible to help me, not only with Star, but simply to make it to the Paralympics. I could not do this without people like her who give so generously and do everything they can to make someone else's dreams come true. Beverly is a class act and it's an honor to know her and work with her horse.
Star has quite the personality and it is impossible not to love him. I love him so much. If I could own him, I would own him too! I am so proud to ride him and honored to be a part of his life. To Beverly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to ride him and see what he can do. He's got too much heart to turn out to pasture and retirement until he says he is ready. Thank you.
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To the Stanton's, Lewis' and Rardins: I am honored beyond belief that you have entrusted your horses to me. I get teary eyed everytime I think of the trust you've put in me with your wonderful partners. I hope to make you all proud of your four legged family members. Thank you!
