The Prancing Pony

Horse: NRS Optimus Prime

Horse Age: 11

Breed: Barroco Horse

Gender: Stallion

Rider: Matthew Walsh

Rider Age: 30

Country: United States of America

Stable: Northridge Stable

Show: HARPG Olympics 2024

Class: Individual Dressage

Starting Number: #106

Extras: Morning Report , Sunset Stride, A New Puppy Friend

Music: The Black Rider

Place: 7th | Results

The ultimate culmination of years of hard work. Years of flying all across the globe and representing his stable. And now he was at the biggest stage with the horse that arguably started his dressage career. A horse who was always happy to see him day in and out. As soon as the qualifiers came up, Matthew knew who he wanted to bring to the top. Alex had gone the previous round while Matthew had been too busy revamping the stable at home to compete with a sound mind. Now the tables had turned, it was his chance to show off.

Optimus had traveled well, finding comfort in some of the other horses around him. They had gotten there just before the opening ceremony which was a moment Matt will never forget. He had been to dozens of other shows, but seeing the caliber of horses that this event had brought in was breathtaking. On days he wasn't training or practicing his routine, he was out watching the events. Soaking in the sun and enjoying the competitiveness and horsemanship on brazen display.

The morning of the competition, he tried to act like it wasn't the big day. Didn't want to spook Optimus, who also seemed to know something was different today. The grooming took a little extra longer, Prime wasn't getting as many treats, and there was a different vibe to the stables around them. The cool fog was a welcome relief after some sunnier days before. And when it was time to enter the arena, Matt felt confident with the sted beneath him that they could accomplish what they had flown across the pond for.

Horse & Rider Reference