Gabby and Zodessa

photo credit: Natori Coleman

For our inaugural blog entry, meet the 2021 Grand Prix partnership of Gabby Glumac and her beautiful mare, Zodessa! We love Gabby’s stream-of-consciousness narrative about her riding career and journey with Zodessa!

Thank you, Gabby, for allowing us to feature your path to and partnership with Zodessa! We are honored to know you! 

About Zodessa and me, by Gabby Glumac.

My riding career didn’t start like most horse-obsessed girls. I was terrified of horses.

To this day, I still can’t remember why I unexpectedly asked my parents if I could start riding lessons, but despite their confusion, they hesitantly agreed. I spent the first few months crying the entire car ride to the barn. My mount, Go-Go, was a big Appaloosa gelding, who, despite his name, had very little “go.” Week after week, my parents and riding instructor remained mystified as to why I insisted on showing up for lessons considering my relentless tears. I suppose there was something about the challenge that kept me determined and coming back for more. Eventually, my fear dissipated, and I grew very attached to the therapeutic magic horses bring us. Becoming a dressage rider was also an accident. When my mom and I drove around looking for lessons, the only person we happened to run into that day was a dressage trainer. So, that was that (well, basically – let’s just say that I later decided jumping wasn’t for me).

I quickly fell in love with the perfectionist craft of dressage, where good can always be better. After about a year of riding, my parents surprised me with my first horse for Christmas, “Chelky." She was sassy, rich in personality, and a mini version of Zodessa. Together, we learned the foundations of dressage for five years. Eventually, it became clear that Chelky would be unable to physically move up the levels, so after some convincing, my parents were kind enough to purchase Zodessa for me when I was thirteen. Zodessa was five years old, and I remember that day like it was yesterday. I saw this very tall horse who looked like a deer caught in the headlights walk off the trailer and thought, “What did I just get myself into?” – or better yet, “should they have even let me do this?” 

In our first year together, we were undefeated at Training and First Level, receiving a high score of 81% from an Olympic judge. Previously, I had never won anything above fourth place, so the many first-time experiences that year felt surreal. In 2013, Zodessa and I tried out for the Region 7 NAJYRC FEI Junior team and came in as an underdog. No one knew who I was, and certainly, no one knew who my horse was. At the time, most kids trying out for the competitive Region 7 team were on already seasoned horses.

Meanwhile, Zodessa and I were learning the levels together, and still trying to figure out how to do a consistent, clean flying lead change. Despite our lack of experience, we were undefeated the entire qualifying season, and, ultimately, earned a spot on the Region 7 team. Our team won the silver medal that summer, and I placed in the Top 5 individually. 

CDS Symposium Demo Rider with Steffen Peters, Charlotte Bredahl, Hilda Gurney, and Christine Traurig.

In 2016, I was offered an extraordinary opportunity to train with Charlotte Bredahl in Santa Ynez, California. When getting the opportunity, I was attending the University of Colorado Boulder, so you may be able to imagine my parents’ dismay when I proposed moving to California in the middle of college. Somehow the stars aligned, and I was able to convince my parents of the idea and take all of my planned classes online for a semester. At that time, Charlotte was an FEI 4-star judge and one of the US Assistant Youth coaches, a program aimed at developing upcoming talent. Today, Charlotte is the US Development coach, training much of the elite list of USA team riders. While training with Charlotte, Zodessa and I competed in the FEI Small Tour (FEI Prix St. George and FEI Intermediate I). We traveled to numerous spectacular horse shows, including Las Vegas, San Juan Capistrano, and Del Mar. And, amidst our competition travels, we also got to be demo riders for Charlotte at several notable events, which have remained some of my fondest riding memories with Zodessa.  

Since moving back to California after graduating from university, I have been very fortunate to be in training with our very own Tracey Hill. I came to her having my heart set on getting my Gold Medal with Zodessa, and in 2021, we did just that! Zodessa and I have now been together for 14 years. It's a rarity to bring a horse from Training Level to Grand Prix, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to do so while growing up together. My thirteen-year-old self would never have imagined we would be where we are today. My beautiful Zodessa continues to pour her heart and soul into her work, never passing up a day to teach me how to become a better horse(wo)man. Every day with her is a gift I’m eternally thankful for. 

Gabby and Zodessa’s 1st Grand Prix, 2021.

Our accomplishments wouldn't be possible without my family and all who have supported me on this journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today on my own, especially without the trainers I have had the privilege to ride with, and who have played a critical part in my growth and development as a rider. We are also very thankful for our sponsors Riding Right, Greystone Leather, and Schockemohle Sports, who have supported our ambitions and cheered us on. “It takes a village” is no understatement! I am so grateful to now be a part of the North Peak community, where so many of our stories converge.

Happy riding!