How It All Began
I think I was about fourteen years old when I saw my first Hanoverian. I began sitting on horses at six months old. I don’t remember that, of course, and I have no memory of learning to ride. It was always something I just did. Horses were a part of my soul.
I progressed from doing run-of-the-mill horse shows on the Thoroughbred my mom bought at an auction for $50 because he was scraggly and underweight to winning equitation championships in three surrounding counties on my sleek, muscled, gorgeous jet-black horse. Jumping, however, was my real love.
When I finally grew tired of jumping at the highest rung on the jump standards in our riding ring, I began asking my mom if I could jump our horse pasture fences. She told me this was a bad idea because it might teach my horse, Demi Tasse, that he could jump out. So, I rode Demi off-property and began jumping fences on other people’s farms.
Fearing my obsession might lead to serious injury, my mom got me into eventing. Eventing is a three-tiered competition that includes a dressage test, a long-distance jump course completed at fast speeds, and a traditional stadium jumping course. The scores are added together for a winner. While I disliked the dressage part, I loved the cross-country course and breezed through them as if the devil himself were chasing me. I quickly developed a reputation and won at many local events.
Shattered Dreams
My mom decided it was time to up my game. She began paying for trainers and signed me up for my first recognized competition. When we arrived, I tacked up my horse and walked around, looking at the much higher level of competitors than I had ever faced. One horse that rode past me took my breath away. He was, without a doubt, the most beautiful horse I had ever seen. I rode up to the girl, told her how stunning her horse was, and asked her the name of the breed. She told me, “He is a Hanoverian.”
I went back and told my mom, “I just saw the most beautiful horse. Someday, I am going to own a Hanoverian.” I went on with my bargain-basement Thoroughbred to qualify for the Junior Olympic Screening Trials. In that qualifying trial, my path was not to qualify. I was in the top ten before the cross-country course, my strength, and I knew no one could beat me. However, my stirrup leather broke halfway through the course. It was a devastating moment when I felt my entire world shatter—all my work, all my hopes and dreams fell to the ground, as did the stirrup I needed to finish the course. God had other plans for me.
The Story Behind the Story
Many years later, after I married my husband and we built our horse farm together, I had several horses on our farm but had yet to own my dream horse. The Hanoverian breed was, in general, out of my price range. A quality horse of this breed sold for more than ten grand—way beyond our budget.
Fast forward twenty or so years. A Hanoverian came into my life who would be saved by our love for him, be the love of my daughter’s life, and lead her to her ultimate dream.
In The Seven, you will meet Justin Barone. He is immersed in the hunter-jumper world. This equestrian sport is highly competitive and features some of the most incredible equine athletes in the world. Quality horses come at a great price. Justin, as a trainer of horses and people who wanted to be competitive in the hunter-jumper world, meets a Hanoverian who was abused by his owners. Justin takes a chance on this beaten-down, abused, but highly talented horse. His decision will alter the course of his life.
Our Hanoverian had a similar but true story. Revlon was a discard. He was imported from Europe to be a star in the hunter-jumper world. Unfortunately, he fell into the hands of people who used him as a commodity and forgot he had a soul. Revlon rebelled. He began throwing off the people who paid a high price to ride him strictly to win a competition, treating him as a commodity.
He was rescued by a family member in California who saw the atrocity taking place. He was placed in a pasture to recover, but everyone knew he would never be used again in the hunter-jumper world.
That’s when Revlon came into our lives. He was sent 3,000 miles across the country and arrived at our farm. He was afraid, needed love, and had to regain people’s trust. If you read my last post, you know the story of our equestrian vaulting team and saw a picture of the horse that carried my daughter to compete in the World Equestrian Games. That is Revlon. But his story has so much more to it.
A Labor of Love
We spent months simply loving Revlon. We spoiled him rotten and did everything we could to let him feel our love and gain our trust. Katie and I worked with him daily. We vaulted on him, praised him for his trust, and rewarded him with the treats that always filled our pockets. He melted our hearts; his fears melted away as well.
The caveat to this deal was that we only had Revlon for a year. We knew that if it came to having to buy him, we would never be able to afford the price he was worth.
Katie was now a young adult and dating a guy from California, whom she met when we traveled there to attend a competition. It was too far to take our horse, so we borrowed one. The vaulting coach we stayed with, who owned the horse we were borrowing, had a son. Katie and Sean met, fell in love, and became a couple.
It was Sean’s sister, Julie, who rescued Revlon. Being a former vaulter herself, she thought perhaps Revlon would make a great vaulting horse if someone could regain his trust.
Knowing Katie could use a good horse to help her succeed, Julie agreed to let us have Revlon for a year. By the end of that first year, Katie and Revlon were dominating vaulting on the East Coast. They were a match made in heaven, but we needed some heavenly intervention for them to be together forever.
One Very Special Day
Our farm was a busy place. We had a huge equestrian vaulting program, summer camps, and events. One of the most prominent was hosting the wedding of our oldest son, Philip, and his beautiful bride, Shelby.
During the reception, the bouquet toss ensued with a slight catch. It was preplanned that Katie would catch the bouquet. The bouquet was tossed, Katie lounged to grab it. She came up with it, victorious. As a huge smile spread across her face, the crowd of single ladies quietly backed away. Katie stood still, stunned. That’s when Sean approached. He walked up to Katie and bent down on one knee. In front of her parents, friends, and all four grandparents, Sean proposed. Katie, said, “YES!”.
The Greatest Gift
Katie and Sean had their work cut out for them. They had dated for several years, long-distance. Now that they were engaged, things would get more complicated.
Meanwhile, Sean worked out a deal with his sister. He knew how much Katie loved and needed this horse. On her next visit, he handed her a document to sign, promising she wouldn’t regret it. She signed—and when she removed the cover, she realized she had just signed the ownership papers for Revlon.
A Very Happy Ending
Of course, I was the first person Katie called. She had healed Revlon’s broken heart, and now he would be the one to take her to her biggest dream—competing in vaulting on a world stage, the 2018 World Equestrian Games.
While my dream of owning a Hanoverian never came true, it was even more wonderful to watch my daughter share that dream.
Revlon is still part of Katie’s life. Now in his early twenties, retired from vaulting, he is still her best friend. Sometimes, she holds her children on him while she rides. Uncle Revlon takes good care of his precious cargo. He is loved and will always be the hero in our horse stories.
A Brief History of Hanovarians
The Hanoverian is one of the world’s most successful and versatile warmblood horse breeds, renowned for its athleticism, elegance, and trainability. Originating in Germany’s Hanover region in the 18th century, the breed was initially developed as a robust cavalry and carriage horse. King George II of England, who was also the Elector of Hanover, founded the State Stud at Celle in 1735, where breeders selectively crossed native German horses with imported Thoroughbreds, Holsteiners, and Trakehners to refine the breed’s athleticism and temperament.
By the 20th century, the Hanoverian transformed into a premier sport horse, excelling in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. Strict breeding regulations ensure conformation, movement, and temperament, making it one of the most sought-after competition horses worldwide. Hanoverians have won numerous Olympic medals, solidifying their reputation as elite equine athletes.
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