Story of Isobel Carey

Hi, I am Isobel and this is Max, he is 138cm he was so difficult and strong when I bought him he would run away at home and at competition! I was worried I would never be able to ride him, but now 1 and a half years later he loves the beach and showjumping and we are perfectly in control and get lots of clear rounds.

But sadly soon I will be too old to compete him as I must ride 148cm ponies then. But he will always be my favourite.

Thanks for reading my story, Isobel 

Story of Vera Steude

Nachdem ich 1998 die Entscheidung traf, Kunstmalerin zu werden, nahm ich zunächst ein privates Kunststudium auf. Bald zweifelte ich, ob Kunst objektiv zu bewerten ist, denn meine Mühen, an einer staatlichen Akademie angenommen zu werden, blieben erfolglos und so verstand ich mit der Zeit, dass der Umgang der Gesellschaft mit ihren Künstlern und deren Erfolg oder Misserfolg, Aufschluss gibt über die soziale und politische Lage. Umso wichtiger wurden für mich dann gegenständliche Darstellungen und die Welt des Sports, wo es objektive Koordinaten gibt. Die Spezialisierung auf Pferdemalerei war also eine logische Folge in dem Bemühen, von meiner Arbeit leben zu können.  

Lange war es für mich schwer, meiner Familie zu vermitteln, dass  Kunst mein Beruf ist. Eine Rettung war dann das Gutachten für meine Arbeit vom Direktor der Vatikanischen Museen, Professor Antonio Paolucci von 2012.

Auslandsaufenthalte waren bisher für mich kaum bezahlbar. Umso bedeutender war es, am vergangenen Wochenende endlich die Vatikanischen Museen besuchen zu können. Als ich anschließend zur GCT Rome fuhr, kam der Anruf, dass meine Mutter einen Herzanfall hatte.

Sie starb, als ich mir die Deckengemälde der Sixtinischen Kapelle ansah: Jesus und Maria inmitten des Jüngsten Gerichts. Was immer das bedeutet, ich werde sie immer vermissen.

Story of Audrey Loyy

I am Audrey, I am 12 and I live in Hong Kong. I have written a short story about how I started riding, and would like to share it with you and #sundaystories. 

Since I was a little kid I adored horses a lot, and dreamt of riding horses someday. However, horse riding is not a common sport in Hong Kong. 

A few years ago, my mum gave me a surprise and made my dream come true. My mum took my brother and I to a one-week horse riding summer camp in USA, where I learnt to ride on my own and also jumped a small fence for the first time. I rode a chestnut mare, called Issy. She was as gentle as a lamb and taught me how to ride and jump fences. 

I worked very hard throughout the week. On the last day of the camp, our parents came to see our show ride and jump, and I was able to do the whole course perfectly and also had fun! 

I was happy that I learnt so much, but also sad to leave Issy, because she inspired me to ride horses and she also took great care of me through the whole week. I’ll never forget her.

Now back home, I started to learn jumping higher fences! Thanks Issy, hope I can see you soon!

Kind regards,
Audrey

Story of Laetizia Temerario

When I met Cassie for the first time, I knew that we will be great friends. I've always loved the character of Cassandra in greek mythology. She was saved from the slaughterhouse and when I rode her for the first times she wanted only escape and run. I was frightened by her power.

But then all changed. I became able to control her gallop and our minds were only one. She began to trust me and she followed me and stopped, when I did, without a rope. Now she isn't with me. But in our minds and in our hearts we are always togheter. I hope to meet her again a day. It's one of my biggest dream.

A kiss, Laetizia

Story of Julia Semenova

My name is Julia, I’m from Russia. I’m really happy to share with you my warm story and experience. I started riding about 6 years ago when I was 15. I still don’t know what urged me to this, but I entered my local riding school. As it’s mainly for children, I was the oldest in my group and actually couldn’t get into jumping group. Fortunately, I had a great coach, and she always treated me as an athlete, and I’m grateful to her for it. She taught me to love and respect your horse no matter what, because it’s a living being like us, with different moods and emotions.

So, my warm story is about one very special horse to me. His name is Jean-Douglas; he’s very tall and ginger. He’s 18 years old now. When I started, my groupmates and I were afraid of him, as he was rather aggressive and it was difficult to put a halter on him. Also it was quite hard to make him move, because he always tests you, tests your persistence and will power. And from some moment I started riding him frequently, but still he was difficult to get along with. I needed a crop to show him to enter his box stall and put on a halter; otherwise he could turn back or even bite you. But time and patience did their part, and I can say that we became partners and friends.

Turned out that he is a horse with big and loving heart, but it’s really hard to earn his trust, that’s why he doesn’t like unknown people. With time he became more gentle and kinder, and everybody noticed that and told that I’d made something impossible. I really enjoyed spending time with him; he taught me a lot, like faith in your own strength and your horse. Every year children have a dressage test, and I took part too, as I was a beginner. And Douglas was my partner. The thing is that he is quite lazy but such a test is actually nothing for him, but you have to find a key to his heart and give him a goal to be reached. And I think that test was that goal. We trained very hard and there were some difficulties, but I always believed in him. So, we won! I was so excited and proud about him, because he proved that he’s still a champion that he used to be. For me he will always be a champion.

Now I’m studying in another city and don’t have enough time and money to continue riding. But horses are a part of my life, and I’m thinking on connecting my future career with horses. Also, I always try to visit Douglas when I in my hometown, and he still remembers me and we still have this bond. I wish I could buy him out and live with him on a seaside, but it’s just a dream. Maybe, one day it comes true.

So, that’s my warm story and I hope you’ve found it interesting.

To finish my letter I want to thank you, Luciana, for being an inspiration for many riders all over the world and wish you, your horses and your team health, luck and great achievements! 

P.S. I have attached some photo with Douglas and me. Hope you’ll enjoy it!

Best regards and a huge hug from

Julia

Story of Caroline McCoy

The shaggy, underweight, and (by the looks) psychotic Connemara pony being ridden in front of me looked nothing like the pushbutton I expected. Nothing in that mare resembled straightness, connection, or harmony. Fast forward almost four years, a nine-year-old is loping cross-rail courses and getting auto-lead changes on Willow, called “Pony.” The first year was very difficult, my trainer aiding me heavily. At the age of eleven, I had no idea how to work with a green horse. Cleaning her up was the easy part, however, teaching her the fundamentals was a whole other story. We showed very little the first year, mostly schooling shows and maybe one rated. The second year, we won high point Training Level dressage and competed in the 0.80ms and Large Pony Hunters. Our third (and best) year, we traveled to a few rated shows, pinned in all of hunter classes, placed very well in our 0.80m-0.90m courses, won high point 1st Level dressage at a rated show, and won USPC West Coast Championships with our team! My favorite things to do were to jump her over ridiculous heights bareback (in a halter!) and go for a good gallop on the trails. As long as she was going fast, she was happy. Now, I enjoy riding her bareback lightly (I’ve grown too tall to jump her big, she's only 14hh) schooling her over low fences and in dressage, and going for long trail rides. She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me, a winner or not, and has been there for me during very hard times. I will never ever regret loving her. 

Story of Agata Beszczynska

As many young mothers, I started my own business... and during a business trip I realised that I actually needed a hospital. It was very difficult to diagnose and treat a trivial appendicitis as I was pregnant with my son, but the worst came after the surgery: I could not take any effective painkillers, I was terrified of loosing the baby, I missed badly my little daughter waiting for me at home. Unable to move, I sought solace browsing in my smartphone. Incidentally, I found a broadcast from LGCT and saw Luciana's performance, so impressive! It inspired me to create this schooling polo influenced by Luciana's look and with this message encoded: work hard on the ground, so that when you jump, you will be over the moon :) I have learned to be patient and to always look towards the positive. Thank you for inspiring me and for this chance to share my story :)

All the best, 
Agata