Member Name: Gabriela Glumac
Age(optional): 14
Horse(s) Name, Breed, Age: Zodessa, KWPN Dutch Warmblood, 6-1/2
Dressage Experience/Current Level/Goals: I have owned 2 horses in my lifetime so far. My first horse was named Pchelkas Star, or “Chelky”. Chelky and I went to First level together. We were at that level for a while because of her age and limitations. She could not go much further than the First Level movements because of her physical capabilities at age 20. At the end of August 2009 I knew I had to start looking for a new horse in order to start moving up the levels. January of 2010 is when I got my current horse, Zodessa. My parents bought her for me– she was 5-1/2, and almost solid at First Level, schooling Second Level. For a long time when I was with Chelky I was impatient as I had been stuck at First Level for so long, but when I got Zodessa I was happy I had mastered First Level so well by then. It not only helped my new horse and I move up faster, but also helped us create a really solid building block. We are now currently schooling the second and third level movements. My short-term goals are to go to the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships and the USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone. I also dream of competing in the Brentina Cup, Pan-American games, and hopefully the World Cup/ Olympics one day.
Trainer/Barn Affiliation if any: Gina Duran/ Topline Training located at Greenville Equestrian Center
Gabby Glumac and Zodessa
Recent Achievements/Of Special Note: Overall this year has been such a dream for me — I am still soaking it all in! Zodessa and I have won many High Point awards this year at various shows, but I’d say there are three achievements I am especially proud of. One was our 81% at the spring Woodside Dressage show with judge Linda Zang riding First Level Test 3. Second was participating in the CDS/ USDF Region 7 Championships in Los Angeles and winning both our USDF Training and First level classes with very good scores! And third was winning the Junior/Young Rider of the Year in the nation at First Level.
At what point in your life did you realize you were “A Horse-Crazy-Person”? Mid-life horse lover, or did you become involved in horses at a young age? I started riding at age 8. When I first started taking lessons I was okay with it, but not in love with it. I think when I really started falling in love with horses is when I started coming to the barn to work for my trainer in the summer. I got to take care of them all, and watch my trainer ride. This is when I realized how truly beautiful it is to watch such a powerful animal do something so graceful. I also got the chance to see how gentle and caring they all are. Whenever I was having a bad day or didn’t feel good, they always made me feel better. I realized this was my place where I belonged, and I also then realized how much I loved being there whether I was riding or not. The funny thing I still laugh at is that when I was a little girl I didn’t like horses at all; actually I was terrified of them. Now, I can’t stand being apart from them.
What is the most important lesson your horse has taught you? In the short amount of time I have had Zodessa she has taught me so much! I think she has mainly taught me to just be very patient! As she was a ‘baby’ when I got her, I had to learn to be patient while teaching her what she doesn’t know and what she herself gets impatient about.
Why or how did you pick Dressage as your riding sport? I was just so lucky to find this sport! On my last day of second grade, my mom agreed to take me around a find a place for me to take riding lessons. We went to at least 5-7 different places, all of which were either closed or didn’t respond. The last place we went to was La Jolla equestrian center where Gina was training at the time. That is where we got in touch with her beginner riding teachers, and I then started riding. It was pure luck that La Jolla was a dressage facility. At the time, I had no idea what dressage even was. I am very thankful that I found a place that did dressage. I don’t know if I’d be where I am today if I hadn’t found dressage originally.
What is the most important attribute you value in your equine Dressage? partner? Kind/Forward/Safe(ish)? There are so many things I value in Zodessa, but I think the things I love the most about her are her great work ethic, as well as that she is so compassionate and mellow minded. She is like a big dog that always wants to be in your lap cuddling, or out in her paddock playing with you. She has a very good head on her shoulders as well. We have had some crazy storms in the winter that we were able to ride through with no problems on her. I love that as soon as you start working with her she is in her work until the second you get off. She does not ‘check out’. She loves to try new things, and loves to show off her talent to not just the rider, but to the people watching. It’s great!
What was your most memorable “ah-ha” riding moment or breakthrough? I would have to say my biggest “ah-ha” moment I have had so far in my life was doing my first flying lead changes on MY horse. I had done some before on other horses that really knew them, but it was an “ah-ha” moment for me when I did them on my horse who did not know flying lead changes really well yet. I had been trying and trying to do them on her for awhile and would sometimes get the front to change leads, but this was the first time a got a completely clean one not only going in one direction but going in both directions! It is one of the greatest feelings in the world when you finally accomplish what you’ve been working for! I felt so accomplished that me and my horse did something we were both learning together! I can’t wait for tempi’s. 
What do you wish you would have understood earlier in your riding life that you appreciate now? I wish I would have had the knowledge I have now on how to get the horse really actively using its hind end, as well as how to get the horses shoulders out in front of them. I am still learning this concept now as I go up the levels, but wish I would have had the confidence I have now with the lesson, then.
Who is your favorite clinician/trainer and why? First, I’d like to say that every clinician I have ridden with I have liked. There has not been one clinician who I did not get anything out of. They have all taught me something valuable. But as I can only pick one person, I’d have to say my favorite is George Williams. He came and taught Zodessa and I recently and we really learned a ton from him! He not only gave us really helpful exercises that we use all the time, but he gave us ways to solve problems that come up in training your horse, while giving me a really clear understanding of what we were doing, and how to do it.
What is the most common correction you hear from your trainer/clinician when you ride? Well, as all of us have something to work on all the time, I think the thing I hear the most is; “Don’t cross your hand over the withers of your horse.”
Gabby and Zodessa
