MacKenzie Waro - 2020 Gifted Memorial Fund for Adult Amateurs Grant Recipient

Photo by Shawn Finkham Photography

Hans sauntered into my life in the Fall 2019 after I contemplated hanging up my stirrups after my then-horse had to be retired from the show ring. I remember Hans' sale post on Facebook. People balked at him being an older teen. I remember booking the plane ticket and showing up to ride him. I called him my ‘PayPal horse,’ yes, I paid for him via PayPal. Hans was purchased with hopes for my USDF bronze medal, and to be my schoolmaster, and school me he did!  

We all know what happened in 2020, but looking back at that year, that was a pivotal part of his and mine relationship because we spent the time bonding at home and getting to know each other. In 2021, we received TDF's Gifted Memorial Fund grant. The grant's purpose is to “give permission to adult amateur riders to set aside quality time with your horse.” I am grateful for that summer. The world was still unsure in 2021, but my time riding Hans made me less unsure. I worked diligently with my trainer, Cody Moore (USDF "L" Graduate and Certified Instructor) where I learned a better connection, more suppleness, half passes, and trust. Trust in Hans, and trust in myself. I went into my training sessions thinking I was going to master that ‘one thing’ not knowing that every stride was teaching me techniques and building my toolbox.  

I thought I had years with Hans, but a freak accident before Christmas 2022 had me saying goodbye to my heart horse and to never see him again. Losing Hans sucked. It was hard, he was my heart horse. He taught me to love to ride. He was the same horse at home as he was at a show. He taught me to love the show ring again. He taught me to trust. Two months after losing Hans, I realized I missed riding. I had no money saved up to buy a horse, and the accident did not leave me with any insurance money. Luckily, my mom owned WRF Hamlet, a registered Norwegian Fjord-driving pony, who was green-broke but ready for a rider.  

I remember the first ride with Hammie when he wouldn’t stand at the mounting block and couldn’t walk a straight line with a rider on his back. Fast forward to him not knowing how to pick up the canter, dropping his shoulder, and spinning to the right. Let’s not mention the many bucks, and the taking off at a full gallop with me on his back. I look back and am not sure why I didn’t give up. Maybe I have a pony attitude as well, and I was not going to allow him to best me. We were eliminated at our first dressage show in June 2023, where he learned a new trick; that at ‘A’ the arena is open, and he can escape with his rider on his back. But with two strong-willed personalities, two shorties learning how to match, and a persistent trainer, Hammie and I road down a recognized centerline in October and finished all of our tests.  

I saw a quote on social media, that said ‘The universe doesn’t send you the horse you want, it sends you the horse you need.’ Hans left this world too soon, but he sent me Hammie. I look back at the summer of 2021 when I was gifted the TDF Gifted Fund grant and realized that my schoolmaster was training me to be the schoolmaster for my next dance partner. I am grateful for that grant, for I would never have collected the tools for my toolbox to be the rider that I am today. I am grateful to my trainer, Cody Moore, for what she taught me during my time with Hans, and for what she has accomplished with me and Ham.  

Photo by Kate Preston Photography

I posted this on social media a year after losing Hans, “To the ones that come ‘after’….. after a heartbreak, a loss, or any pain that our souls feel….we thank you. You didn’t know what type of storm you were wandering into, but each day you kept worming your way into our aching hearts and demanding our attention. Soon we didn’t realize that we were healing, and that’s because of you and your persistent ways. We will never forget our ‘heart’ animals, but the ones that come after truly hold a very special place in our souls. A year ago today, I tragically lost Hans; and I miss him terribly. But this story is about the ‘after’ pony and the thank you to Hans for sending him my way. Hans made sure that Hammie had similar quirks but made sure that I was tested every ride (just to be reminded that Hans was ‘perfect’ ha!). So, cheers to the ‘after’ and to the memories of the ones who sent them our way. We miss the OGs, but we also need to live out our adventures. Love you buddy.”    

Each dance partner comes into our lives for a reason. We train to not only become better riders but to become better people. Thank you to The Dressage Foundation for the Gifted Memorial Fund all those years ago. Just because I do not have that partner anymore, doesn’t mean that I didn’t take everything I learned to help me become a better rider, groom, and person for my next pony. Because of the Gifted Memorial Fund grant, I was able to spend time learning, training, growing, and loving my Hans. Because of the fund and what I learned (and am still learning) with my trainer, I can take that knowledge and pass it along to Hammie. Thank you, TDF!