PAST

 

As a little girl, I was the one peering over the fence at the neighbor’s horses. Like many girls, I was “Horse Crazy” and finally talked my parents into lessons.  For many years, I was a once a week lesson rider longing for my own horse. During my second year of college, I purchased my first show horse...a thoroughbred gelding named Handsome Reward.  We competed in the hunter divisions around south Florida, and later showed at WEF in the jumper divisions. 

 

After graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a BS in microbiology, I moved to Gainesville to enter medical school at the University of Florida.   I decided I was ready for a change in riding disciplines as well, and started riding dressage.  Handsome was sold to a junior rider to continue doing what he did best...teaching riders and jumping. I balanced riding and showing with my demanding schedule as a medical student. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful trainer, Sharon Jerdeman (www.sunshinesporthorses.org/pennockpt), who helped me transition from jumpers to dressage.  With her help, I leased two wonderful, if unorthodox, lower level schoolmasters.

                                                                                                                                         

	Shark Lee, a spunky older 14.2hh grey Arab taught me the basics of dressage and helped me successfully show first level and start in second. "Sharkie" also changed my opinion of Arabians with his charm and willingness.  It was only later I realized how fun it was having a manageable sized mount…this was one of the reasons I became interested in GRP’s.
		After my lease ended with Sharkie, I started riding CJ the Maxx, a 15.3hh bay Arab/Appendix cross.  Although CJ proved to be a bit of a challenge in several ways, he helped me achieve my goals at second level and move up to third.  CJ had the looks and gaits better suited to open shows and a wonderful work ethic under saddle.

 

In 2002 I earned my Bronze Medal with USDF with the help of these two special horses. I went some time with no riding horse, and felt my riding actually improved significantly by catch riding many young warmbloods and having several short term leases.  However, I continued to long for a stable partner that was my own.  I briefly owned Sambouka, a Trakehner schoolmistress that gave me four fabulous months before she sadly passed away from splenic cancer.  This special mare taught me the meaning of heart and work ethic and will always be fondly remembered and missed! RIP Sam.

 

PRESENT

 

I am a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist currently showing Prix St George and I-1 with Renoir, my delightful schoolmaster. Renoir is a Russian breed called Orlov-Rostopchin or now known as a Russian Warmblood or Russian Riding Horse.  This breed is quite rare with less then 500 world wide, and he was imported by the Middlebrook family in Wellington, Florida.  Renoir is a beautiful 16hh black gelding that is trained through I-2. He has proved to be a generous and fun schoolmaster, and we are working together in a beautiful partnership. Below, photos by Reg Corkum.

*Below, pictures from our first show together at 4^th level AND my first time showing 4^th level- we won both our classes and had a blast!

 

               

 

FUTURE

 

 

I am looking forward to continuing moving up the levels in dressage with Renoir.

 

In the future, I will be the primary trainer for my German Riding Pony foals and look forward to Magnolia’s dressage debut in a few years.