MYAKKA CITY, Fla.--Rebecca Brown on Garrybritt Rupert had the day’s best dressage score in their FEI debut as international competition began on Thursday, Nov, 12 at The Event at TerraNova, with competition in CCI4*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L, and CCI1*-L.
Rebecca Brown on Garrybritt Rupert (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Brown has developed Rupert since he was 4 years old.
The lowest dressage score across all divisions competing today at The Event at TerraNova came out of the CCI1*-L, where Brown scored 24.1.
The Texas-based professional event rider has owned the Ramiro B gelding since he was f4 when she purchased him from longtime friend and breeder Terry White in Ireland.
“I’ve always had a bit of a crush on Ramiro B offspring, but they’ve always been a little out of my price range,” Brown said. “Then, funny enough, I found out that Terry, who’s a good friend of mine, had bred Rupert himself. He’s my own personal horse, so I’ve just been enjoying taking my time with him—and I guess that shows on days like today.”
Although Rupert moved up to Modified at the end of last year, his competition schedule this season has been relatively light.
WHILE BROWN spent the summer in England competing with two of her upper-level horses, Rupert enjoyed taking Brown’s mother on bareback trail rides.
“I was hoping he might be going Preliminary by now, but I went to England this summer with two of my upper-level horses, so he was having fun with my mom instead,” Brown says. “I came back in August and said, ‘All right, time to get going again.’ He needed to get fit first, so we decided to aim for TerraNova as his first FEI event.”
“He’s beautiful on the flat, he enjoys it, and the judges love him,” Brown said. “It’s funny because I wouldn’t say he’s the most talented horse in my barn, but he’s also the horse I’ve won the most on so far. He’s just got a heart of gold, and he tries so hard. He is such a joy to work with—I really adore him.”
“I think it’s such a great facility for introducing them to some big-time competition and atmosphere, and yet it still has a nice, relaxed vibe at the same time,” Brown says. “I feel like the horses have a good experience here and get educated at the same time. I’ve been here enough that I’m familiar with how the courses go in the spring and fall events, and it’s a really good one, especially for the young horses you’re developing for the future.”
“Rupert’s a total blast, and I’m hoping to be really competitive,” Brown says. “He has all the capabilities to finish on that dressage score. When you’re doing a long, there’s a bit of pressure on you to finish strong, so I’m cautiously optimistic. But no matter what happens, I’m still going to think he’s the most perfect horse ever.”
