Team PracGenuine horse lovers and equestrians are all too familiar with the term “heart horse”—that one incredible horse who touched your soul, taught you everything, saved you when you made mistakes and developed you into the rider and horse person you are today. Our heart horses leave such indelible impacts on our lives, we often honor and remember them for years after we lose them.
This Valentine’s Day, we thought it would fun to introduce you to Team Prac’s heart horses. Just in case you haven’t heard the news yet, Team Prac—our group of top trainers representing hunters, jumpers, eventing and dressage—is here to offer useful and impactful advice to help you improve in your particular discipline and develop a more harmonious partnership with your horse. (Learn how to submit your training questions to our Team Prac members here. More below.)
We hope you enjoy meeting our Team Prac members’ heart horses and learning how their equine partners influenced their riding and shaped the course of their careers.
Margie Engle: Daydream
“It’s difficult to pick just one influential horse as each is special in their own way. As horseback riding is such an expensive sport, I didn’t get my own horse until I was in my mid-20s when my father helped me put together a limited partnership, so I could keep one of the jumpers I was riding for another horse dealer. That horse was Daydream, and he was the first horse l won a grand prix on when he was only 6 or 7. He helped me get on teams after that and brought other clients with horses for me to ride, train and sell. Saluut II was another special horse. He was one of the smartest, fastest and most careful horses I’ve ever ridden and had such a huge heart.”
— Margie Engle
Hannah Sue Hollberg: Harbour Pilot
“Harbour Pilot is definitely a favorite. He was the longest standing teammate I’ve had yet. He always gave his best—even when his best terrified me at times. Another favorite was Capitol H I M, but we didn’t get to compete at the highest level for long before we retired him as he got older. He gave me my highest placing yet at a five star when we came in fourth at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in 2023. I absolutely loved riding him every day and miss him so much.”
— Hannah Sue Hollberg
Stacia Klein Madden: Logan
“I would say Logan when Brianne Goutal had him. He taught me to cherish the horse who makes the least amount of mistakes. I don’t look for all the chrome in a horse after working with Logan.”
— Stacia Klein Madden
Elisa Wallace: Fledge
“Fledge, a 13.3-hand Mustang, has been one of the most influential horses in my career. I had developed such a close bond with him in our short amount of time working together for the Mustang Makeover that I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. I can’t even express how important this horse has been to me and my journey with Mustangs. We learn from all horses, but Mustangs always seem to teach me something new. They have huge hearts and are very versatile athletes. When you work with a wild horse who learns to let go of his fears and trust you, it’s a truly special experience.”
— Elisa Wallace
Stephany Fish Crossman: Raccoon
“There are two who stick out the most. One was Raccoon, who was affectionately known as ‘the rock star.’ He started it all for me when I brought him home from Germany. He made me look good when I had no idea what I was doing. Sache is the other horse I think about the most. He was beautiful, talented and super quirky. He was always a challenge mentally, but I brought him up myself to Prix St. Georges. I wish I’d had more time with him.”
— Stephany Fish Crossman
Jacob Pope: Uno
“The horse who really was a turning point in my career was Uno. He was one of Heritage Farm and Andre Dignelli’s equitation horses who I was lucky enough to ride my last junior year. I won the USET Finals and the Maclay Finals with him. He was a really special horse and just wanted to win. I feel like he loved competing. I still remember to this day what an amazing canter he had, which I think really made him such a great equitation horse.
“There also was a horse named Blink who Judy Richter gave me to ride. She actually trained Andre, and I met her at the Emerging Athletes Program Finals that was in Chicago. … [Judy] really believed in me, which I think is a really important part of a coach is to have someone who believes in you. I hadn’t really done jumpers much, and she had me do my first 1.20-meter class and my first grand prix in the same week with Blink. He was pretty special, and we actually were clear and fifth in that grand prix, which was pretty awesome.
“And then my most recent one who I’m competing in grand prix classes is Highway FBH. He is owned by Sherry Crawford, and I would say he is my horse of a lifetime. I’ve had him for three and a half years now and have gotten to achieve so many goals with him that I never even thought were really going to be possible. I hope that he keeps going for many more years, because he’s a really special horse.”
— Jacob Pope
James Alliston: Parker
“Parker was a great five-star horse earlier in my career that I got a lot of experience on and was the first horse I bought when we first came to the U.S. He was an off-the-track Thoroughbred I bought from Bonnie Mosser and didn’t have any show experience, so he was relatively inexpensive. We were both young, so we sort of learned together. He was brilliant and so tough and did season after season of five stars that really got me started.”
“I also had some really nice other horses like Jumbo’s Jake and Tivoli when I was very young. I was very fortunate really to get those good horses early and that sort of nice taste for the big competitions and that’s where you want to be and what you want to do. … And most recently, Karma. She’s a 2014 U.S.-bred Oldenburg mare owned by Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer.”
— James Alliston
Archie Cox: Many
“It’s really an endless number of horses, and every horse teaches you something. But I smile thinking of Lucy Davis’ Harmony and Patrick, Laura Wasserman’s Boss and really any one of Stephanie Danhakl’s horses.”
— Archie Cox
Dave Thind: All
“I can’t choose. Every horse I’ve worked with has been equally loved and appreciated. I still miss those who have passed on. Each one has left a mark on my journey as a rider and trainer.”
— Dave Thind
Christian Simonson: Indian Rock
“Right now, there is Indian Rock, or ‘Rocky,’ and we are seeing how that journey unfolds. He may be the most influential, but it is to be determined. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of amazing horses in my career. Zeaball Diawind was one. Son of a Lady was definitely another, and I went from the youth level to more serious senior competitions with him.
Ronny Riemer: Castro’s Revenge
Ronny Riemer and Castro’s Revenge, a Holsteiner stallion by Calypso and out of Capitol, were highly successful competing in German youth divisions.
Ask Team Prac: How It Woks
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If your question is selected, it will be featured in a future Practical Horseman and/or Dressage Today digital article and on our social media channels to help you and other riders who might be struggling with a similar issue. We look forward to helping you and your horse on your personal journey together!
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