Marti Thompson and Captain America (VA)
Team #1060: Marti Thompson and Captain America
From: Midlothian, Virginia
Ages 74 & 27
Combined Age: 101
Test: Introductory Level Test A
As a young girl, I loved horses but had no real experience with them other than random pony rides. I remember my best friend and I putting in multiple entries for a raffle to win a pony at our state fair. Neither of us won.
Fast forward MANY years. I heard about a local new therapeutic riding program for veterans. My son was in the Army; I still was enamored with horses, so a friend and I began volunteering. After a year or so, my friend said, “I’ve always wanted to learn to ride.” I said, “Me too!” So, on March 1, 2010, we had our first lesson at a boarding and dressage barn. The friend didn’t last very long, but I continued with a lesson every couple of weeks. Then nine months later, out of the blue, I was given a horse from the therapeutic program that was too small for them to use. Jingle Belle (aka Belle) arrived on Christmas Day 2010! The rest is history. Unfortunately, five years later she passed away unexpectedly in her stall, but not before she and I did our first Introductory dressage tests, and even a musical freestyle.
I am now on my fourth (and final!) riding partner, Captain America, a Thoroughbred/Holsteiner, whose grandfather won the Belmont in the 80s. Captain had been a hunter/jumper when I got him at age 18, but became a dressage fellow. We (I mean I) never progressed beyond Introductory Level, although we did do a fabulous patriotic Training Level Freestyle. We even did one to music from the Captain America movies. He is my heart horse, and I promised him he never has to do Introductory Level Test A or B again! We can probably do them with our eyes closed. I have been waiting a couple of years to be able to qualify for a Century Club ride….we both made it! Thanks for the wonderful opportunity!
