Quest for Horse Without a Unguided Steed in Europe
Jessica Abrahamse, a seasoned equestrian with over 30 years of experience in various equestrian disciplines, embarked on a journey to find her next competition partner during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a clear understanding of her deal breakers, such as age, height, ability, and the costs for importing, she ventured to Europe in September 2021 to broaden her search.
Jessica's quest led her to try numerous horses, but it was the 11th horse, a statuesque dark bay gelding named Hope, who caught her eye. Standing at 17.2h tall, Hope boasted a big kind eye and a star, making an immediate impression.
Upon trying Hope, Jessica found his movement to be big and his canter gait to be even. The gelding proved to be sensitive and nice to ride, forgiving amateur chips and not missing a beat. Jessica, who owns an imported Dutch Warmblood mare with FEI experience up to 1.45m in Canada, saw great potential in Hope, who had competed to 1.20m and was schooling higher.
Jessica's journey was not without its challenges. North American standards for vetting differ from European standards, and she encountered a few disappointments along the way. A small deposit of $1000 euros held a horse, only to find out upon trying her that she was smaller than advertised and did not click with her. Unfortunately, the deposit was not refunded.
To help filter out unsuitable prospects, Jessica relied on the guidance of a trainer, viewing their role more as a conduit in the process rather than a dictator. She also sought the advice of a few trusted friends, who helped her review videos of potential horses for their opinions.
Throughout her independent trip, Jessica learned to believe in her ability as a rider and her judgment. After several unsuccessful trials and vet checks, she decided to look for a young, unproven horse to train and potentially compete in the upper level jumper ring.
In the end, Hope made it home to Canada after the process of importing him was completed. Jessica is now proud to call Hope her partner, and they share an amazing partnership in the jumper and dressage rings. As an avid traveler and animal lover, Jessica's journey to find Hope was not just about finding a competition horse, but also about embarking on an adventure and creating a lasting bond with a remarkable equine companion.
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