Dixie Pederson and FHF Cruisewood (IN)
Team #974: Dixie Pederson and FHF Cruisewood
From: Lafayette, Indiana
Ages: 71.5 & 28.5
Combined Age: 100
Test: Training Level Test 3
Like so many little girls, I dreamed of having a horse of my own. But the dream was out of reach for my family. As an adult, my son's dream of having a horse was a priority for me. Then, finally, it was my turn, and I became the luckiest woman in the world to own FHF Cruisewood.
I was always taught that if one has a great gift, they should share it. So Cruisewood has made 170 trips down the centerline. Some have been with me, but more have been with young people who earned many ribbons and medals with him. When Cruisewood was 26 years old, Grace McCall earned her USDF gold medal and Grand Prix scores toward her freestyle bar, quite an accomplishment for this older gentleman and his talented rider.
In the meantime, Cruisewood and I were developing other skills alongside his show career with young riders. Cruisewood became my co-therapist in my practice as a clinical psychologist providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. We are a certified mounted police team and trained for the New Orleans Police Department. We have literally walked through fire together!
Many thanks to our “village” who attended our Century Club ride, especially our trainer, Jennifer Kaiser, our vet, Dr. Sarah Waxman, Grace McCall, and our many other friends, especially Mary Jo Skinner, who also rode her Century Club ride the following day. I will never forget this celebration of Cruisewood and our story together!
