A Rare Find in
A young man takes an unlikely horse on a dressage journey and experiences the joy of others who ‘pay it forward.’
by Anne Lamoriello
nician. She is also the innovator behind the programs Dres- sage 4 Kids (D4K), the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program (EDAP) and the Winter Intensive Training Program (WIT). The WIT program is for the aspiring young rider (age 21 and younger) and is held in Wellington, Florida annually from January through March, with its third year in 2015. Through these programs, Lendon works tirelessly to support and de- velop young dressage talent, especially giving opportunities to youngsters who wouldn’t ordinarily have the means to ride or access to a horse formally trained in dressage.
M 26 January/February 2015
ention the name Lendon Gray and most in the dressage world know her accomplishments as a two-time Olympian, Hall of Famer and cli-
After many years, Lendon can share countless success
stories. The story of Matt Baillargeon of Casco, Maine and his unlikely dressage horse, a PMU Percheron/Quarter Horse mare named A Touch Of Grace is one. It is a story of perse- verance and determination, as well as reliance on the kind- ness of friends, family and even well-known FEI rider/trainer Michael Barisone. Riding Prix St. Georges in a gifted shadbel- ly, Matt and his partner Gracie create a story that unfolds like a Hollywood movie.
A Rough Start As a 14-year-old, Matt’s goal was to buy a horse for eventing and dressage. The horse he owned at the time had sound- ness issues so he and a friend searched the want ads, includ- ing Craig’s List. There they found a four-year-old, a 15.3 hand PMU mare just over the border in Canada for $3,000. That first meeting, though, was anything but graceful. Gracie, as Matt lovingly calls her now, was downright nasty, he recalls. In fact, he says now, his first meeting with Gracie was a di-
saster. The owner took Gracie out and handed the lead rope to Matt. “She dragged me down the driveway. But I was des- perate for a horse, so I took her,” he recounts. “I didn’t even ride her.”
All three photos by Anne Lamoriello
“Dressage 4 Kids”
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