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Competidor V, 1995 – 2015

ghosty-headshot


to live in this world

you must be able
to do three things
to love what is mortal;
to hold it

against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go. – Mary Oliver

Ghosty was originally purchased for my mom. I went and tried him for her, and was instantly charmed. He had huge, sparkly dark eyes, with obvious intelligence behind them. She had high hopes for him, but he was misrepresented as being quite a bit quieter than he actually was, and so he ended up my horse. And I just loved him, as frustrating as he could be at times. He was just such a special character.

ghosty-me-novemberHe was never a great show horse. He had obviously been treated rather roughly at some point in his life, most likely in Spain. Terrible scars from spurs covered both of his sides, and he had scars on his nose from a serreta noseband. A very sensitive and intelligent horse, this treatment definitely did a number on him. I always joked that he had PTSD, but he probably really did. Showing was immensely stressful for him, and I was never able to really overcome his tension. I finally decided to quit trying to make him a show horse, and just enjoy him at home. He was so much fun to ride, and made me a more sensitive, tactful rider. He did beautiful lateral work, piaffe and passage, and would still throw in a wicked spook from time to time. I’ve never met a horse that could move faster–he spooked so violently once, he spooked right out of one of his bell boots.

The best thing about him was definitely his character. He was so sweet. If I called his name, he would come galloping up to me at full speed. He loved attention, and would get so into his grooming sessions that he would practically fling himself over when you curried him, lip twisted up in the air. He loved getting a little hand grazing time, relishing in dragging me around and refusing to follow when he thought I might be trying to sneak him back towards his field.

Ghosty and CashIn 2011, he started having choke episodes, which culminated in him developing pneumonia. He was very, very sick, and we could not figure out why he kept choking. Finally, after extensive diagnostics, it was determined that he had a partially paralyzed esophagus. It was trial and error, but we finally figured out a diet he could handle: grass, and buckets of “soup”. He was very enthusiastic about his soup, and would stick his head in the bucket up to his cheekbones. A good look for a grey horse.

Ghosty spent his last summer cavorting with his mini friends, a horse named Cash and a donkey named Waylon. Waylon could take him or leave him, but Cash was his best buddy. Ghosty would kneel down to play with him, grabbing Cash’s mane, Cash gnawing on his face. He always had little nip marks on his legs, and it wasn’t an infrequent sight to see Cash running across the field and launching himself at Ghosty. They were clearly having the time of their lives.

Ghosty started acting colicky on December 19th, and while he seemed better after treatment, by the next day it was apparent that something was very wrong. With his symptoms, it is likely he had lymphoma. Ghosty passed away peacefully on December 20th, a sunny, unseasonably warm winter day. I miss him so much.

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Introduction

About the Author

Siobhan Byrne

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qualiadressage

Siobhan Byrne
Grand Prix Rider and Trainer
USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist
Poolesville, MD
https://linktr.ee/qualiadressage

Qualia Dressage LLC
It looked like a @kasteldenmark photo shoot in the It looked like a @kasteldenmark photo shoot in the arena today! 👯‍♀️ #matchymatchy #fancy #kasteldenmark #dressage #hanoveriansofinstagram #fjordhorse
“Success is a label that the world confers on yo “Success is a label that the world confers on you, but mastery is an ever-onward 'almost.'” - Sarah Lewis, The Rise
. 📸: @susanjstickle
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#dressage #dressagerider #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #fei #dressurpferde #kwpnhorse #equestrian #handsomehansi #midatlanticdressagefestival
Pretty jazzed to run my first road race in close t Pretty jazzed to run my first road race in close to ten years. A series of injuries have constantly set me back (e.g.: shoulder surgery 2014 x2, 2018, 2020, 2022, and hip surgery in 2016 and 2019), so I haven’t stayed sound enough to train and complete a race at any distance, much less this distance (half marathon). But I did it! And I even crushed my goal of running under two hours, completing in 1:52:37–a personal best for me, beating out the 1:53:36 I ran ten years ago.  I’m for sure no elite runner, but I love the physical and mental challenge of running. 
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#equestrian #dressagerider #runner #runningafterinjury #hiplabraltear #shoulderinstability #latarjet
Congratulations to Cassidy Hageman on a great star Congratulations to Cassidy Hageman on a great start to the show season with Waki! First place in 3-3 and Third Level High Score at First Chance at Dressage, By Chance?. Thanks for riding my boy so well, Cassidy! 
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#dressage #dressagehorsesofinstagram #hanoverianhorse #equestrian #squawkiwaki
Great start to the season last weekend at Loch Moy Great start to the season last weekend at Loch Moy! Hans was a rock star Saturday in the Prix St. Georges, winning the class and High Score PSG with a 71.765%. 🖤 Sunday he became slightly unhinged by the cross country clinic going on at the showgrounds, but still managed nearly a 66% in his first go at I-1.  Huge thank you to Cassidy Hageman for all of her help over the weekend! 
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#dressagehorse #dressurpferde #dressagetraining #kwpnhorse #equestrian  #fei #feihorse #handsomehansi
“'You become. It takes a long time. That's why i “'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
- The Velveteen Rabbit
Happy 29th birthday to my Mouse. 23 years together. So many fun memories. I love seeing you so happy in retired life. 🐭💕
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#oldiebutgoodie #retiredhorse #retiredlife #dressagehorse #dressurpferde #hanoverianhorse #devilmouse
It was wonderful to have Richard Malmgren back thi It was wonderful to have Richard Malmgren back this weekend to work the horses in the long lines. Hans was a superstar as usual 🖤, and new addition Vamilja got to meet Richard for the first time. She was a perfect girl! 💓
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#dressage #dressagehorse #dressagetraining #kwpnhorse #danskvarmblod #danishwarmblood #equestrian #longlining #handsomehansi #mightymilja
Today, my sweet Ghosty would have turned 27. Hard Today, my sweet Ghosty would have turned 27. Hard to believe he has been gone for almost 7 years now. These photos by Bob Langrish do such a good job of capturing his soulful eyes. 🤍
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#prehorse #purarazaespanola #dressage #dressagehorse #equestrian
Super clinic with Jeremy Steinberg last weekend. H Super clinic with Jeremy Steinberg last weekend. Hans felt amazing! We’ll probably stay at the small tour level this year to continue gaining confidence and rideability in the ring, but Grand Prix is getting closer. 🖤 
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#handsomehansi #dressagehorsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #kwpnhorse #horsesofinstagram #roadtograndprix #piaffe #equestrian
Fun memories of showing my wonderful Waki in the G Fun memories of showing my wonderful Waki in the Grand Prix at Tryon a few years ago for #throwbackthursday. Love this special boy so much. 🖤
. 📸: @richard.malmgren 
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#tbt #dressage #dressagehorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #dressagetraining #fei #grandprix #hanoveriansofinstagram #equestrian #squawkiwaki
“Never give up on a dream just because of the ti “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” — Earl Nightingale
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. 📸: @richard.malmgren 
#dressage #dressagetraining #dressagehorse #kwpnhorse #equestrian #handsomehansi #mondaymotivation
Super clinic with @jeremy_steinberg this past week Super clinic with @jeremy_steinberg this past weekend! I made up for missing the last one (I was competing at Devon) by getting to ride three horses with him both days this time. Here’s @tiddlucy ‘s Kayla (Ferdeaux x Metall), the fanciest little pocket rocket around! Love this mare. 🚀💕 #dressage #dressagetraining #younghorse #kwpnhorse #dressagehorsesofinstagram #equestrian #dressurpferd
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Qualia Dressage
Poolesville, MD
732.406.9606
siobhan@qualiadressage.com

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