Team #531 Deborah Galbraith and Jessetistic Glower
Team #531: Deborah Galbraith and Jessetistic Glower
Ages: 78 & 25
Combined Age: 103
Before moving to Kansas from New York at about age nine, our parents told us that even though we were moving "out west" there wouldn't be any cowboys, Indians, or horses. They said all of that was just on TV.
But, lo and behold, we moved to a house across from a horse farm! A polo farm, in fact. So, from about 4th grade on, I was sneaking out my bedroom window to go over to the barn about 5:00 in the morning to "help" feed the horses. Then I’d sneak back into the house and get ready for school! I told my mom about this when I was in my 30s, and she was shocked!
So, what have horses given to me? ADVENTURE! The owner of that polo farm gave me one of his Thoroughbred mares when I was about 12. My horse, Helena K, was boarded at a place about three miles from my house. Again, sometimes at night, I would sneak out the window and walk all the way in the dark to the barn, saddle up Helena K and ride in the moonlight! I told my mom this at the same time as I told her about the other escapades.
After Kansas, I moved around a lot. First to Boston, then to London, England. Next was San Francisco and finally, to Cleveland, Ohio.
When I was about 50, I was living across from the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club in Gates Mills, Ohio. I was so envious of the riders all decked out with horses braided for the opening of the Hunt season (Blessing of the Hounds took place in the fall in the churchyard), I started taking jumping lessons. A friend even let me borrow his horse for a few hunts.
To combine my love of horses with my love of travel, I went on several week-long horse treks (thanks to online outfitters with horse-riding vacation options). The first one was the Connemara Trail in Ireland. Then onto many other European destinations including France, Italy, Spain, and Scotland, as well as pack trips and trail rides in the U.S. and Banff Park in Canada. Riding in the Australian outback was another highlight. ln Uruguay, South America, I rode with the gauchos.
I have been able to gallop on endless beaches, ride to hounds, ride through the rain forests, participate in cattle drives, and see special parts of the world not accessible except by foot or horseback. Always aboard the best, bravest (and coolest!) horses ever.
When I moved to Iowa I got my hunt horse, Heathcliff, and my off-the-track Thoroughbred horse, Jesse. Heathcliff took me hunting with the Moingona Hunt in Iowa and Jesse became my dressage horse. Both are my well-loved friends and I'm grateful for having them and all the wonderful horses and horse-people in my life!
Many thanks to those who helped me make it into the Century Club - Bill Coester, owner of Winds Reach Farm and the whole gang at Winds Reach, Kate Kostenbader, my intrepid trainer, Dr. Jim McNutt who rode and joined the Century Club with me, Lois Pienkos, Anne Cizadlo, The Dressage Foundation, and of course, Dr. David Johnsen, my partner.
Deborah and Jesse completed Training Level, Test 1, on October 27, 2021, for their Century Club membership.
