BTB: COTH covers the Padre story :-)

Posted: 17 Dec 2010 01:14 PM PST

This COTH article covers my favorite story of the year, and it has my favorite picture EVER of Padre and Patti. And with their typical journalistic flair, COTH writer Jennifer Keeler brings an insight that makes me feel I'm reading about this pair for the first time. Congrats Patti and Padre.

By the by, Patti loves hearing from people -- and on her Facebook page she invites you to write her and share how Padre's story has impacted your life. I think for me, this story reminds me that the dressage community ain't all divas and drama queens, and breed snobbery is vastly overstated. For the most part, the dressage folks are are happy to see "regular" folk succeed in the sport. I also love the connection between Padre and Patti, and the way his success is made so much more meaningful because of their relationship.

clipped from http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/padr%C3%A9-mustang-brings-taste-west-dressage-devon

Padré The Mustang Brings A Taste Of The West To Dressage At Devon By: Jennifer M. Keeler

A living symbol of American freedom knows no boundaries in his new career.

He was born an American icon. As a wild U.S. mustang he symbolized independence. Surviving wasn't easy in the rugged desert landscape of Palomino Valley outside Reno, Nev., but as a young colt he knew nothing but the freedom of the desert wind.

Until the day the helicopters came.

Nine years later, this striking dun stallion trotted confidently in the company of champion warmbloods around the historic Dixon Oval as the first mustang to ever compete at Dressage at Devon (Pa.).