Sierra Keasler stands with Margaret McIntosh on Delorean MF at the USEF High Performance Southeast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium (Photo courtesy of Al Guden).
Wellington, FL (January 26, 2015) — When Caroline Roffman received an email from Margaret McIntosh inquiring about borrowing a horse for the USEF High Performance Southeast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium, Roffman immediately wanted to help. Accomplished para-equestrian McIntosh asked for just two things: a horse with a good mind and a great walk.
Roffman, an international Grand Prix rider and head trainer at Lionshare Dressage in Wellington, Florida, knew just the horse. She called her working student Sierra Keasler to suggest that McIntosh borrow Keasler’s Delorean MF, the six-year-old son of Don Principe known around the barn as “Baby Horse.”
Roffman explained that McIntosh is a talented rider who enjoyed a successful eventing career with the help of Bruce Davidson, which led to her competing in the CCI*** and CCI**** at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in 1997 and 1998 before a life-changing accident. While riding in an event in 1999, McIntosh fell over a cross country fence and broke her neck. Her equestrian career would never be the same.
Although she was initially paralyzed from the chest down, McIntosh was able to regain her mobility and get back in the saddle as a para-equestrian. McIntosh now trains with Missy and Jessica Ransehousen. She has risen back through the equestrian ranks, earning the title of 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Reserve Champion. Unable to bring her own Rio Rio to Wellington for the Symposium, McIntosh looked to Roffman for the perfect ride.
For Keasler, the decision to lend her horse to McIntosh was an easy one. “After hearing her story, there was no way I could say no,” explained Keasler. “At the symposium, Baby Horse made me proud. He took his job very seriously and worked so hard for Margaret. This was not just an amazing experience for Baby Horse, but also for me. I’ll never forget it, and I am so glad I was able to take part.”
McIntosh was grateful for Team Lionshare’s help. “Caroline was enthusiastic about the whole thing, and her working student Sierra Keasler jumped in with both feet right away,” said McIntosh. “I am so thankful to Sierra, Andrea and Sean Keasler, and Caroline Roffman of Lionshare Dressage for making this horse available for me to ride in the symposium. He’s a fantastic ride and has a super walk.”
Aboard Keasler’s Delorean MF, McIntosh was able to receive feedback from international Para-Equestrian dressage judge and trainer Kjell Myhre that she looks forward to utilizing with her own horse, Rio Rio. “I enjoyed the symposium and thought Kjell was so nice and positive,” McIntosh said. “I really wanted to work on the halt. My trainer Missy (Ransehousen) says to not over-analyze it. I tend to over think the halt not only on this horse, but also on Rio Rio. We really nailed the halt with Kjell when he said just sit down in the saddle. I also practiced my five-meter serpentines, including the preparation for them. I really enjoyed this symposium.”
McIntosh competes in para-equestrian dressage at Grade 1(a), a classification in which riders walk their dressage tests. Although she just barely missed the mark for the 2012 London Olympics Selection Trials and she was unable to compete in the 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games due to a classification discrepancy, McIntosh continues to push forward in her competitive career. Her sights are set on qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Thanks to supporters such as Roffman and Keasler, her dreams of competing on a U.S. Olympic Team are in reach.
For more information about Roffman and her top-quality dressage training, lessons and sales business Lionshare Dressage, visit www.lionsharedressage.com, email lionsharedressage@gmail.com, or call 617-633-1003.
For more information contact:
Caroline Roffman
Lionshare Dressage
1-617-633-1003
caroline@carolineroffman.com