Team #765 Carol Schmickrath and Titleist

Team #765: Carol Schmickrath and Titleist
From: Georgetown, Texas
Ages: 78 & 24
Combined Age: 102
Test: Grand Prix

It was a joy to ride a Grand Prix Century Club ride on Titleist to the music of the Starlight Symphony of Wimberly at Suzanne Warmack’s Bel Canto Farms in Wimberly, Texas. A large, enthusiastic crowd sat under big white tents and alongside the ring, clapping with the music in the hot Texas sun. Kudos to Suzanne for amazing organization and advertising. 

The story of Titleist is one of “Pay it Forward,” and is the very essence of dressage. We had a Dutch Warmblood stallion, Wiebe, who a friend from San Angelo, Anne Reese, bred to her Thoroughbred mare, producing a lovely grey mare. When Anne retired from breeding, I suggested that she give the mare to Cean Embrey, who was just starting her breeding farm. Cean bred that mare to Idocus, hence Titleist arrived. The mare refused to lay down to give birth, so Titleist was delivered into Cean’s arms. The bond was solid. 

Cean was training with me at that time with a very spicy Thoroughbred gelding, Hotshot, which she trained to the FEI levels. She was well prepared for the talented and cooperative Titleist. Together, we trained Titleist up the levels to receive her USDF gold medal. When he was ready for retirement from the show ring, he came to live with me at Brookstone Farm as a schoolmaster to train other riders. On one of her Grand Prix tests, the judge wrote, “He performs with a smile on his face.” This is the description of this partnership. 

I want to dedicate my Grand Prix Century Club ride to all of the instructors who patiently coached me over the years. Only through consistent, patient, and dedicated training can anyone develop the special relationship that it takes make a happy horse. If I were a billionaire I would clone Titleist and give him to anyone who wanted to learn dressage from the ground up. Many thanks to Cean for sharing this wonderful horse with me. 

Giving a special thank you to The Dressage Foundation for your support of dressage riders over the years. Emphasizing the Century Club shows that the proper training of the horse and rider leads to longevity and health. 

Also, a special thanks to Platinum Performance for supporting TDF and supplying the supplements that help keep our horses healthy. Titleist thanks you!