The other day El Paso and I had our first show together, and first adventure away from the farm at the Applewood Farm, Oldwick NJ, Marilyn Payne Dressage Show. I couldn't be more proud of Taco. There were lots of distractions with people prepping for the Essex Horse Trials this weekend, kids running around, dogs, and cars/trucks going up and down the street, but he knew his job and was focused in the ring. Thank you to Marilyn Payne for the honest feedback. I know we still ha

I just found out I'm ranked 7th for my Grade on the FEI World Ranking List. What an honor- it shows that hard work truly does pay off. I never would have imagined I would have made it this far if I looked back to where I was just a few years ago. Thinking about the fact that I never grew up riding and only got on a horse as part of my rehab, I truly believe that horses are amazing animals. This is only my second year competing ever and I've learned so much from each of the ho

I’d like to welcome you to the newest member of my team and family: El Paso!! El Paso arrived this weekend all the way from Holland. We got to pick him up from quarantine a few days ago and he has settled in nicely. It’s such a change in environment and weather for him, but he’s adjusted like a pro! He really loves his new horse friends and all the love and attention he’s getting. He took to my wheelchair no problem. I've ridden him a few times and he's been super! He really

Sparklez and I competed in our first CPEDI*** show at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL this past weekend. It was the biggest and most electrifying show ring I've been in yet. The weather was cold, windy, and rainy. The first day of warm up nothing was tied down so things were flapping in the fierce winds throughout the arena, people were working all around with men on ladders and people using staple guns. This continued through the week when on the secon

After working so hard this season, Royal and I are now qualified for the USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship in Tryon, NC in September! It's such an honor and privilege to qualify after dedicating so much time and effort to training and showing over the last few months. This is also a big trip. Stay tuned for a silent auction to support our trip there and in the meantime check out my gofundme at www.gofundme.com/paradresse. If there's anything else you'd like

I’m finally home and rested! What a fantastic week at our first international show at the CPEDI3* at Rancho Murieta! It was a very brutal show with the incredibly hot weather, but it was a fun week with all the other talented para riders, families, and grooms that were incredibly supportive. I was so proud of Royal for being so calm and relaxed throughout the entire show. He got off the long trailer ride like a pro and settled in easily as he got acclimated to the main ring l

It's been a busy few weeks, but I finally have time to catch you up on our busy and exciting times. Royal and I went to the Paso Robles Dressage Classics at the Paso Robles Horse Park a couple weekends ago. It was a bigger show and more traveling for both of us than we've done together, but Royal handled all the activity and commotion like a pro! He didn't bat any of his long eyelashes at anything going around him and remained relaxed the entire time we were there, even with

This weekend Royal went to Dressage at Flintridge Riding Club. My next to shows are bigger than what I've taken him to before, so we wanted to give him the experience at a bigger show to acclimated to all the new sights and sounds! We arrived on Thursday and Sabine schooled him in the show ring then rode him around the Grand Prix ring where they were doing sound checks and setting up tables for the freestyle dinner on Saturday night. Sabine showed him on Friday and Saturday a

Royal and I had our second show together this past weekend and it was so awesome to see the improvements since our last time together. First of all a huge thank you to Sabine Schut-Kery for helping us get this far in such a short amount of time. It has been so fun working with you and Royal every day to figure out the best ways to make us as strong a team as possible. When we got to El Sueno Equestrian Center on Friday, Royal already felt more relaxed than last time. Saturday

Royal was a rockstar this weekend for our first show together. As we entered the show ring I could feel him relax as if he knew it was time to shine and take care of me. I couldn't have been more proud of him and grateful for this moment. Thank you to Sabine Schut-Kery for all your support, guidance, and training over the last few months. It's been so fun to watch our partnership grow and develop. Cesar, thank you for always taking such good care of Royal. I never have to