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by sponsors, cheered on by fans, coached by mentors and supported by a team, the ‘average’ person is very much alone with their stress, floundering without mentors or a clearly marked path to follow.


Third Time’s a Charm Drowning in the daily stress of financial worries as Alex and I started a new energy business and the martyrdom that comes from being the mother of three, I was thrown a lifeline by my classically trained dressage mentor Edwine Hugenholtz. My lifeline has a name and a pretty serious attitude! Noblesse Oblige or “Nova” is a home-bred Oldenburg gelding who has enjoyed the status as Edwine’s “favourite” since his beloved dam died foaling him. He is an opinionated eight-year-old who inherited athleticism and a great buck from his grand sire Zucarlos. Nova is by Noble Champion, a GOV Oldenburg Jumper Stallion of the Year but also a sire of numerous top dressage horses. He is out of the Oldenburg mare Aurora 11,


Nova, an Oldenburg that has brought Paige back to the sport for the third time.


who combines influential Dutch and German bloodlines such as Inschallah, Adlerfarn, Furioso and Joost. Riding him is a privilege and a joy! Although honoured by the opportunity Edwine provided,


I was equally daunted by it. Could I ride well enough again? Would people be disappointed in me? Would it still be fun and satisfying if I wasn’t a star? I have spent the past year learning how to accommodate this passion back into my life, without another swing of the pendulum; an interesting exercise for an athlete, who to this date has only understood the concept of 100 percent commitment to sporting success. Now I’m back to that old trunk under the stairs.


I dragged it out of retirement to attend a clinic with the very famous coach Pat Burgess, at my old friend Arthur Tateishi’s farm, on my mentor’s lovely horse Nova, with my mother Keitha in tow and good friends all around me. I felt whole for the first time. I found that despite all of the curve balls life has thrown me, any life with horses, family and friends is an exceptionally privileged one indeed. The challenge now is to pursue my sport responsibly and


to risk less. There will be some obstacles: I can’t ride every day of the week; I can only justify about three shows per year; I live in northern Ontario, far from coaching and competitions; I do not have an indoor arena or a truck and trailer and I have a very limited budget. I suspect this is the reality of most horse lovers. I hope to share stories and support other like-minded friends, new and old, along the way. For now, I simply want to enjoy the ride.


Ah-mazing! Help Your Horse feel


Back on Track’s Mesh Sheet goes beyond keeping your horse’s body warm; it uses Welltex technology that’s proven* to increase circulation and reduce inflammation, helping your horse go from “Ouch” to “Ah!” after every ride.


*see website for veterinarian test results


When your horse feels good you feel it too!


“I put Back on Track blankets on my horses as much as possible. It really keeps their bodies supple and loose. I can feel the difference right from the beginning of the warm-up. When their bodies feel good, they are happy and ready to do the work.”


Michelle Gibson, Olympic rider, bronze team medal, Atlanta 1996


Used by veterinarians to treat and relieve muscle and joint pain.


Web: www.backontrackproducts.com Call:


1-888-758-9836 Email: info@backontrackproducts.com Warmbloods Today 35 BOT-WbT-01-13.indd 1 12/7/12 12:43 PM


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