My name is Stacey Chastain and my mare and I are stationed at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. I’m 27-years-old and currently competing at Novice in Area X. My story is unique because I have the privilege of owning and competing on the world’s most athletic draft horse.
My mare, Klein’s Olinda, is a seven-year-old full Percheron. I bought her out of Canada when she was a two-year-old and had her shipped to me where I was stationed in Hawaii at the time (I am in the U.S. Air Force). As a three-year-old I longed her over some jumps one day and she let me know she was thoroughly enjoying herself. I decided to see what she could do as she got older. Klein has no idea that she is a draft horse, and neither do most of the people at our shows. Most of the time they think that because of her incredible athleticism and fitness level she must be some kind of cross. I assure you, she is not. She is just one very, very special girl and I am thankful for her every single day. I could not ask for a braver, more willing, or more motivated teammate.
Klein is definitely happiest out galloping on the cross-country course and jumping anything in her path. And believe me, that girl can MOVE. We easily come in under time at Novice. We also have happily schooled at Training on cross-country. She is in better shape than most light horses, a true testament to what a good Eventing-geared conditioning program can do for a horse.
From my earliest memory horses have been a part of my life. From My Little Ponies to pony rides to my mom finally hearing enough of me begging and buying me my first horse at age seven. The horse bug had me so bad that I used to fake sick to stay home from school, wait for my mom to go to work, then go ride all day, hop back in bed and pretend to cough right as my mom came home. I also wanted to jump anything even remotely resembling any type of jump. I remember on my first pony ride I purposely got my pony to run away with me because I wanted to gallop so bad, I was six. My pony took off and the trail guide came after me yelling "Pull back on the blue one!!" I got my pony pulled up and was getting back in line when another rider mumbled, "I saw that…"
Eventing always looked like the ultimate sport for me, except the dressage part. I stayed in the Jumper department until a good friend said "Dressage is three minutes of your life, just do it so you can get to the fun part" and convinced me to enter the next horse trials on the calendar. Klein and I had a blast and even before the show even officially started I knew we were hooked. We’re also slowly finding more and more appreciation for what dressage is and what it can do for horse and rider; as well as gaining satisfaction from our dressage accomplishments.
So far this year we have competed in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. We also have the honor of representing the U.S. Air Force this year, and proudly display our Air Force saddle pads in all phases! Overall, Eventing is the perfect fit for both Klein and I and we plan on enjoying it for years to come!!
