Dear Casseur,
I was over 40 when I decided
to take up riding again, something I loved from my youth. I had always dreamed
of doing dressage, the dance between horse and rider. I took longe lessons
for six months, three times a week, before I was ready to look for a horse.
My trainers and an agent went to Europe to search for a suitable trained
"schoolmaster" horse for me--one that could teach me! After finding many
unsuitable horses, they found you in Germany. You were 14 years old, almost
15, and had been trained to the highest level of dressage, Grand
Prix.
We didn't realize how difficult
the move would be for you. You were ill when you arrived and I took care
of you, and then I had an accident. While I was recuperating, I found your
original trainer in Denmark on the internet, and he told me that you were
a horse of a lifetime. You were the Danish National 5 year old champion in
1990! You next belonged to the young rider champion of Austria who put you
in training with who was then the top trainer in Germany, Uwe Schulten-Baumer.
That explained why you were so incredibly well trained and easy to do all
the movements in dressage. I ended up buying a filly out of your sister in
Denmark, and she is now my present riding horse.
I learned so much from you.
Not only were you a patient and kind and forgiving teacher, but you were
so smart and would not allow me to get away with riding faults. You were
very easy in the saddle, even with your tremendous gaits and big extensions,
but you were not easy on the ground. You had problems with chronic ulcers
and if the caretakers at the boarding barns made any ill judgments, you were
the one who would get injured. I nursed you through many, many turnout injuries,
and only got to show you six times. But in those six shows, you got me halfway
to my USDF silver medal, which I hope to complete with your niece this
year.
In 2004, we debuted at the
FEI levels--Prix St. Georges! But at the end of the year, you had a terrible
turn out accident that ended our show aspirations. I nursed you for over
a year, and then we began our final journey--where you taught me the single
tempi changes, and then taught me how to enjoy trail riding. We developed
such a close relationship that you always spoke to me, gesturing for things,
expressing your feeling with a look or movement, and giving affection. I
deeply miss your companionship and will do so the rest of my life.
I am honoring your life
by teaching your niece the dressage movements in the same gentle, but firm
way you taught me. I still have many things to teach her that you taught
me, and our silver medal to complete, so our journey continues.
Much love always,
Ann
Casseur 
