As the 2017 dressage season is fast approaching, Meagan Davis has her sights set on returning to international competition with Royale. It would mark a return for both of them to the international level after a year off.
The huge Oldenburg gelding spent last year recuperating after having a keratoma – a tumor of keratin - removed from his hoof. At the end of the 2014-15 season, Royale, who is owned by Scott Durkin, was being shown in the CDI Intermediare 1. This month, Davis hopes to kick off the season at the Global Dressage Festival 2 in Wellington.
“We’re hoping to show the weekend of Jan. 19th,” said Davis, who is now well-settled in at Longview Farm South, her family’s farm located just outside White Fences where she teaches and trains. In early January, she expects to be working with her long-time trainer Bent Jensen to prepare.
It’s been a long wait. Royale couldn’t leave his stall for most of the year as he recovered. Davis worked on keeping him content and bringing up her younger horses, including 7-year-old Damocles, who competes at 4th level schooling and Prix St. Georges, and 7-year-old Harlow’s Night Affair, who competes a 3rd level schooling. Davis co-owns Harlow’s Night Affair with Durkin.
Her days start early. She’d be riding at 6 a.m. if there was any daylight, she says. She’s training six riders, and working with 10 horses each day.
“I put my hands on every horse every day,” she says. The routine includes a dose of Great Gut probiotic, which kept Royal stress-free during his months of confinement, she says. “I saw the effects with Royale, so I started it with all the horses.”
He also gets a joint supplement, a vitamin E supplement, and electrolytes. Drinking water alone will never replenish what they sweat out, she says.
During training, she works on ensuring that Royale feels happy and confident.
“This year, my focus is on Royale,” Davis says. “He was second level when he came to me, and I’ve brought him up to the Small Tour. There’s nothing better than riding a test where the horse is proud of himself and the job he is doing!”