United States Eventing Association

USEA Member Cynthia "Tootie" Boudreau shares the story of her special horse She's Got Game, who has overcome health and breed limitations to be a very successful Preliminary Horse.

Resilient: If there was one word I could pick to describe myself it would be that word. The same is true for my horse. In September of 2009, I nearly died from an endometrioma which took over my entire abdomen. The resulting emergency surgery left me too sick and too weak to ride. I had also lost three horses in three years to freak accidents and injuries, so I decided to quit riding. Seven months later, my very astute vet called and said she had a horse for me. This red headed mare was free, since she had major behavioral issues, and few could handle her. Due to my vet's persistent urging, I reluctantly went to see this "dangerous," obese, 1600 lb, 17 hand, 8-year-old purebred Irish Draught horse.

It was not love at first sight. To say that Zoe lived up to her reputation was an understatement. She tried to act out many a time, but her kind eye told me she was a good horse on the inside. She seemed to be scared by the world. I went to see her a second time because of this and the fact that she seemed athletic. By the third visit, I had figured out all of her tricks, and what made her tick. I tried a few jumps with her, and since she dragged me to them, and over jumped them by a mile, I decided to take the risk on a horse who had never left the farm she was born at, had barely ever been ridden, had never seen the outside of her stall, paddock, or ring at her barn, and was nearly impossible to handle on the ground. I wrote a $10 check for her to make it an official sale, and took her home with me in June of 2010.

Zoe remained a difficult horse on the ground for quite a while, but with each time I rode her, I could see her talents oozing to the surface. And each time I handled her, she began to listen to me and trust me more. She seemed game to try any horse sport there was, so I aptly named her "She's Got Game." During our five years together, we qualified for the National Marshall and Sterling Adult Amateur Jumper finals twice out of the two years we showed in the jumpers, won the most versatile horse in the nation for the Old People's Riding Club, qualified for the American Eventing Championships (AEC) multiple times, and won the first Preliminary event we ever entered by over 13 points in May of this year. Even better, I recently found out that she is Reserve Champion in the Mountain States Eventing Association (MSEA) for the Open Preliminary Division for 2015, and that she was tops for that level for an Adult Amateur as well as a Master Adult Amateur. This horse loves to compete and is true winner.

Additionally, it turns out that Zoe is the only pure bred Irish Draught mare who events at the Preliminary level or above to date. Furthermore, there is only one purebred Irish Draught stallion in the world who does the same. I plan to breed them together this summer, and hopefully produce a one of a kind exceptionally talented Irish Draught horse! Zoe has truly exceeded the capabilities of "The Draft Horse."

Our success has come at the expense of some hard times. In 2014, after moving to Colorado, Zoe's body could not handle the significant change in elevation and climate, so she colicked six times, and had two long stays in an ICU where she nearly died. Throughout the spring she managed to get into two accidents resulting in injury. I also sustained a non horse related shoulder injury which left me in need of surgery and unable to do a lot of my barn chores, so riding at this level has been quite difficult for me. Never say never to either one of us though, as we will persevere!

Any time Zoe has been out of the game, I quickly remember the special bond we have when I go to ride any other horse who is not as responsive, athletic, or talented as she is! I have found other ways to channel my Eventing energies when Zoe or I couldn’t ride. I volunteered at numerous events in an effort to support those who could compete when we could not. As a Physical Therapist, I have also been involved with horses in another huge way this year by starting a summer hippotherapy program for local disabled children in Conifer, CO. Starting a new business requires countless unpaid hours before it can get off the ground and running. Seeing the happiness, excitement, and joy in the faces of the kids when they are on a horse, as well as their improved physical functioning, is the best reward.

Through all of our trials and tribulations, whatever we have accomplished together, we have done by ourselves. What I mean is that although I have taken the occasional dressage lesson wherever I have lived, I have only taken three jumping lessons since 1991. My salary as a school district Physical Therapist allows me just enough money to keep one horse and compete or take lessons, so I have chosen to compete. By myself. Zoe has also made herself very clear that she does not appreciate anyone other than me working her, so she is only going to go as far as I can take her.

Zoe has taught me a lot about life and horses. I think if she could teach us all a lesson, it would be to never put a label on a breed, never count yourself out, and never limit your expectations, for if you push yourself to your limits, train hard, and train well, you never know what you can achieve. She has taken me places I never dreamed were possible, and for that I will always be grateful.

Do you have a special horse that you believe needs recognition? Send your story to Shelby.