Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master look like they will dominate our SmartPak power rankings for Canada this month, and for good reason–they have had a spectacular spring lead up to Canadian Olympic selection. Rebecca, like many riders in eventing, depends heavily on the support of wonderful owners. Today Rebecca tells the story of finding Riddle Mater’s owners. I’m hoping that Rebecca’s story will inspire more riders and owners to come together on this awesome journey known as eventing. Thanks for writing this Rebecca and thank you for reading.
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Rebecca and Riddle Master, photo via Abby Gibbon
From Rebecca:
As I sit in the Toronto Air port having missed my original plane home, waiting on a rebooked flight now held up in Chicago’s thunderstorms, I take solace in the familiarity of Tim Horton’s and being surrounded by other stranded “bloggers”. I have been in the Toronto area this weekend teaching a clinic. I had a great time working with those I already know, as well as working with some new faces and horses.
Being a BC Kid, I have not spent much time in Ontario; however I have one very strong & crucial tie to the Orangeville area- it is home to Riddle Master’s Breeders/owners and my dear friends Caroline Bazley and Jean Watson of Blithe Hill Farm. I was first acquainted with this mother daughter combo when I was 15 years old and a working student for Canadian (then eventer now Dressage rider) Joni Lynn Peters. During her 10 years in Ontario, Joni regularly campaigned horses for Caroline and Jean, including Rupert’s impressive uncle “Lord Ramsey”. After her return to BC – Blithe Hill sent one of their homebreds out for Joni training, and I was the lucky working student to ride her. Talaris III or “Trio” was the horse that marked the start of a relationship that has now impacted my career well beyond anything I could possibly have imagined at the time.
My time with Trio lasted just a year, but I maintained contact with Caroline and Jean. More than a decade later – Caroline called to say that she wanted me to come and see her 5 year old “Riddle Master”. In Toronto riding at the Royal at the time, off I went to Blithe Hill to meet Rupert. For the most part my Blithe Hill visits seemed to be of the winter variety and I clearly remember the C.O.L.D, but after riding the full selection of horses in the Caroline’s barn that day, the verdict was that the little Bay horse was to come south.
Caroline and Jean are dedicated to horses and the sport, with production of Canadian bred elite event horses being a clear & persistent goal for them both. The enthusiasm and conviction of this determined duo (Jean being in her mid 80’s!) is contagious. Each horse has a great story, namesake, poem written for them or tree planted in their honor. Their Farm is very much a family operation and every time I visit I am struck by the genuine enjoyment shared by the entire family, even by those members not particularly “horsey”.
I once again had the good fortune of crashing the latest family pot luck at Blithe Hill, where storytelling was in full swing, followed by a visit to the small herd that Rupert once ran with! Among the herd is of course Trio, who is now fulfilling her brood mare duties.
It is interesting how things turn out, what leads to what, and what relationships can affect your life down the road. Of course Rupert is the coolest, and I am so lucky to have that horse I can’t even begin to explain. Behind this great horse is the most wonderful people and that makes this whole journey that much more special. And I also want to thank my remarkable sponsors: Arenus, Ecogold, EquineLite Mats, FITS, Five Star Tack, Haygain, Hit Air, Omega Alpha, RevitaVet, and Stackhouse Saddles.
