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Royce, You Continually Reinforce My Purpose Daily.

For the subsequent six weeks, we delve into the heartfelt connection between horse and rider in our series, "A Letter to My Horse". On June 29th, we'll unveil the means for you to join in! We'll select the top three reader contributions to this series, and winners will not only receive...

Royce, You Continually Serve as My Persistent Motivation.
Royce, You Continually Serve as My Persistent Motivation.

Royce, You Continually Reinforce My Purpose Daily.

In the heart of equestrian circles, there's a horse named Royce who's stealing the show. This larger-than-life steed, with a personality as vibrant as his coat, has become a beloved figure at the barn and beyond.

Initially, Royce was accustomed to life in the limelight, being ridden regularly from his stall to the ring. However, his size and energy made him a challenging mount for many, initially difficult to get on due to his spirited nature.

Despite his initial rideability problems, Royce's potential was clear. The author, who would later become his owner, first laid eyes on him at the age of six, as he jumped with Liubov Kochetova. Intrigued by his size and bravery, the author decided to take a chance and bring him into their stable.

The journey to taming Royce was not without its hurdles. He was heavier and bigger than the author's usual preference, and was not fully broken. But with patience, persistence, and a contract signed to ensure he wouldn't be resold, the author and Royce began their partnership.

Royce, it seemed, was eager to please and happy doing whatever as long as he was the centre of attention. His goofy antics and great sense of humour quickly endeared him to everyone at the barn. If not paid attention, he'd even pick up a broom and swat someone to get the attention he craved.

Lisa Wilcox's great dressage work was instrumental in helping Royce become more rideable on the flat and more responsive to both leg and hand. Together, they worked tirelessly to stretch his muscles out, getting him more elastic and broke, and to help him get comfortable.

Their hard work paid off. Royce, once a handful, became a reliable and responsive partner. He even showed his mettle on the big stage, bravely giving his best during the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix win in WEF 2018.

Royce is not just a competitive horse, though. He's a comedian, always putting a smile on people's faces with his antics. His babies, too, carry his personality, reminding the author of why they got into this and why they keep going.

In the end, Royce is more than just a horse. He's a friend, a companion, and a source of joy. He brings happiness to the barn and the family, and his story is a testament to the transformative power of patience, persistence, and a little bit of humour.

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