When there’s big news the desire is to share it with everyone. That’s what Marybeth and Arthur Walker, of Cornwall, did in announcing the achievement of their horse, Bethje (pronounced Beth ee).
Bethje recently qualified for and was awarded the prestigious Sports Predicate in Dressage by the Friesian Horse Association of North America. She’s only the 38th Friesian Mare in North America to earn this designation. In recognition of this title, the horse gains a new title – Bethje Star Sport.
“I’m thrilled,” Marybeth said. “It was a lot of hard work. I’m very happy with my trainer. It took a lot of patience and perseverance to work with the horse and get the horse to this level, especially against the competition that’s out there today.”
Since she was a child, it has been Marybeth’s dream to one day own a horse, but she went to college, got married, and pursued a career as a pharmacist. The Walkers had children, who have now grown up, gotten married, and moved away. At the age of 50, Marybeth resumed riding. Before buying Bethje seven years ago, she had an older horse that died suddenly.
Bethje, 16, was born in Holland and comes from a line of Dressage horses. Her sire was a dressage horse, as was her mother’s sire. Her first owner taught Bethje to pull a carriage, a traditional role for Friesian horses. Her second owner purchased Bethje to breed, but also thought she’d have a career in dressage. When the Walkers purchased Bethje, they hired a trainer, Susan Stegmeyer, who agreed Bethje could be a competitive horse. Training began in January 2010 and over the past six years Bethje has earned 78 ribbons. She competes about once a month from April to October.
About three years ago Marybeth and Stegmeyer set a goal of winning the Sports Predicate award.
“A Sports Predicate in Dressage means she had to get five scores of 60 and above, at third level or higher, in front of three different judges so there’s no collusion,” said Marybeth.
When Bethje started earning scores of 57 and 59, the two knew the achievement was possible.
Stegmeyer rides Bethje four to five times a week, at least an hour each day. They practice Dressage movements such as half pass, extended trot, and walk pirouette. During competition, movements have to be performed in a specific sequence. Routines are about six minutes long.
On June 10, Bethje earned her fifth score of 60 or more, making her only the 38th Friesian Mare to earn the Sports Predicate in Dressage. To put it into perspective, Marybeth said the Sports Predicate in Driving was recently awarded to the 1,000th Friesian horse in North America.
Not only is it rare for a Friesian to win the award in Dressage, but Bethje had to do so against horses with more fitting conformation.
“The competition has been very stiff, especially in the last three or four years.,” Marybeth said. “Breeding has resulted in more quality horses.”
A part of Bethje’s success could be attributed to her demeanor. Described as a typical Friesian who enjoys human attention, Bethje is also an alpha mare, wanting to be the boss over other horses.
“If she’s in a warm-up ring, they don’t intimidate her,” Marybeth said. “Whereas other horses might be a little skittish, she’ll typically insist other horses get out of her way. She’s not intimidated easily.”
As a reward for her achievement, Bethje will be given the rest of the season off from competition. A party will be held for Stegmeyer and Bethje at the end of the month.
“I’m thrilled my husband allows it because of the expense,” Marybeth said of owning a horse. “Although I always wanted to ride, I never thought I’d have a horse this good. It’s been a very educational journey.”
