RIDE ON. Freshman Kendall Jacobson rides
her horse, Teddy, during a lesson. “He is
just a goof,” Jacobson said. “He is probably the
sweetest thing you will ever meet.”
After five unsuccessful years of practicing and competing with a horse that would buck and kick out its back legs while she was riding it, freshman equestrian Kendall Jacobson decided to get a new horse.
No one wanted the horse Jacobson eventually leased because he was known for his lack of stamina, which always placed him in last. No one; except a hunter jumper barn that was willing to train him. After two years of training the horse, which would not once sell for $50 was sold for $30,000 to David Maus and his daughter. However, there was a lack of connection, so Maus’ trainer sold him to someone else, who leased it to Jacobson.
It was love at first sight.
“When I go into the pasture we play tag and run around together,” Jacobson said. “And when I leave he calls to me.”
On all fours, from hooves to withers, 12-year-old Teddy stands at 16’1 and is known as Drop Dead Ted when he races.
Following in her mother, Catherine Jacobson’s, footsteps, K. Jacobson has been riding for as long as she can remember. When her mother was her age, she had a horse, too. After K. Jacobson was born, her mother bought a horse named Fancy and still has her today. C. Jacobson also enjoys watching her daughter being successful at what she loves to do.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” C. Jacobson said. “It isn’t only about my daughter but also this 1,200 pound animal and them working together.”
Transitioning from placing last, to first out of 10 in equitition during her most recent competition on May 17, K. Jacobson is now more confident as an equestrian. The connection she has with Teddy has also raised her confidence.
“It’s like you have a connection with something that could potentially kill you. Nobody can break that connection,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson hopes to eventually earn a scholarship to the University of Florida as an equestrian because she wants to continue horseback riding for as long as she can. She also is working to qualify for youth world at least once. This competition occurs every two years and equestrians from around the world participate, so this would showcase Jacobson’s talent at a worldwide event.