Angela Bowles and Novelle. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Many thanks to Angela Bowles for sending in the following tribute to her horse of a lifetime, Novelle, who passed away recently at the age of 23.
Novelle was sent to young professional Angela Bowles as a three-year old sales prospect. She quickly demonstrated her athletic ability by frequently bucking Angela off and made it abundantly clear that she really did not like dressage. Nonetheless, Angela decided she’d like to keep Novelle for herself. A failed PPE that revealed several OCD lesions ultimately stopped Angela from buying the mare, who went back to her owner when Angela moved back to Texas to begin her professional career. As Fate would have it, Novelle’s owner offered to gift the quirky mare to Angela, and they embarked on the most unlikely journey together.
As a team, Angela and Novelle competed through the Preliminary level with considerable success. As a rising young professional trying to make ends meet, Angela was once again faced with the hard decision to part with Novelle. But Fate stepped in again: no one was interested in the petite TB mare who barely tolerated the dressage phase and had a subpar vetting. She secured a permanent home in Angela’s care–exactly where she would stay for the rest of her life.
Angela Bowles and Novelle. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
A rough start to her Intermediate career saw the pair step back to Preliminary for a development year, where Novelle was awarded the 2010 USEA Preliminary Horse of the Year honor–the first of many career accolades. Following the brief pause in their growth through the levels, there was no looking back. Angela and Novelle were named to the developing riders team in 2012, and then successfully moved up to Advanced in 2013. They were second in the CCI4*-S at Copper Meadows; won the Advanced at Texas Rose Horse Park in 2014; and won the Advanced at the Colorado Horse Park in 2016. The pair also had wins at the Grand Prix level in pure show jumping, giving Angela a taste of her future in that discipline. The highlight of Novelle’s time with Angela was twice completing the Rolex Kentucky 5* (2015 and 2016), winning everyone’s admiration for their grit and determination across the country. [Read Angela and Novelle’s ‘Rolex Rookie’ Profile here]
Novelle and Angela completed an astounding fifteen consecutive competitions without a rail down.
After Novelle told Angela her time at the upper levels was over, she spent five years showing the next generation the ropes of the sport she loved. In total, Novelle completed more than 140 USEF recognized competitions with ten riders. She safely guided many through their first horse trials or through their first outings at a new level. Novelle was a gift to every rider she carried, no matter the discipline or competition level. [Read more about Novelle’s incredible career here]
Angela Bowles and Novelle. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Novelle was laid to rest at Fat Dog Farm in Rockbridge Baths, Virginia, overlooking the field where she enjoyed her retirement years as the matriarch of Angela’s stable. She will be forever known for her diminutive size, unassuming personality, and unwavering love for cross country. Angela and Andy Bowles would like to thank all of the veterinarians and farriers who cared for Novelle during her career, as well as all of the riders and families who loved her like she was their own. A special thank you goes to Tamie Smith, Mike Huber, Mark Phillips, and Matt Cyphert: your belief in us changed the course of our lives.
