FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2014 55
Holly Bergay and Rubino Bellissimo
Photo by Elma Garcia
eventer Kate Chadderton
allowed him to remain on
top of the hill overlooking
the beautiful pastures and
cross-country course. I was
with him the whole time
and told him how much he
was loved and what a great
job he had done. It was
peaceful.”
The 2010 event before
WEG prepared Holly for
the disappointment of not
competing with Rubino at
the Selection Trials but
her ultimate focus was on
Rubino’s diagnoses and
future. In between the
diagnoses and the passing
of Rubino, the Selection
Trials were in full swing. The
talented athlete, now 21,
was encouraged by Para-
Dressage Chef d’Equipe
Kai Handt and her own
coach, Sarah, to compete
at the National Championship.
“It was pretty difficult to leave Rubino and compete in the
National Championships,” said Holly. “Kai’s daughter Julia lent
me her amazing horse and we accomplished some good rides
together, even with very little practice. Obviously, it was very
different from what I had expected the experience to be like, but
I’m grateful to Kai for believing in me.”
In a moment of despair the equestrian community reached
out and gave Holly the support she needed. It has been support
along the way from trainers such as Sarah Dodge, Sue Blinks
and Tracy Roenick and her
own family and friends that
have helped Holly turn a
passion into a career.
Holly’s Dream Horse
The 16-hand Rubino had
already accomplished a
lot in his lifetime with rider
Nicole Perry in the young
rider tour, Intermediaire
I and Grand Prix. Holly
first emailed owner Violet
Jen about Rubino, feeling
that he was her dream
horse. She thought it was a
long shot but knew it was
worth a try. “As a stallion,
Rubino had some of the
typical behaviors,” said
Holly. “He was pretty lazy
and could really tune me
out when he wanted to. It
took some time to learn to
communicate with him, but
when we finally became a
real team, he gave his all for me. I felt very honored and humbled
every time I rode him. I tried to really respect and listen to him. He
was also the sweetest horse I have ever known and even though
he acted tough he was very loving and gentle. He was also very
smart. Violet called him a ‘dressage genius’ and he really was. He
always seemed to understand exactly what was going on which
made working with him a very special and rewarding experience.”
Rubino taught Holly the true meaning of partnership, especially
after an old injury flared up while qualifying for the London
Holly Bergay’s Love of Horses
Her passion for the equestrian sport began where she grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She
received her first horse, named Ambition, when she was 4 years of age. Holly’s family kept
the Arabian at their home in the beginning and she mostly trail rode before moving Ambition
to a boarding facility and joining the local pony club. “My mom always loved horses and got
Ambition for herself when I was young, but he quickly became my horse,” said Holly. “I think
loving horses is in my blood and nothing else has ever made me happier.”
Born without her left arm from a few inches below the elbow down, Holly never felt that she
was lacking in ability. A few trainers suggested she try therapeutic riding instead, but when
she found Pat Baked Hutter in Tucson, she didn’t see Holly as any different from a rider with
two hands. Holly continued to train with Pat for eight years. “Dressage is challenging for
everyone and I’m no exception,” remarked Holly. “I don’t know anything different from the
body and equipment I have, so I’m used to it and adapting is rarely an issue.”
Holly would eventually leave Tucson and move to Colorado as a junior in high school.
During this time, Holly’s dressage career was well established. In 2007, she was the first
para-dressage rider at the North American Junior Championships. In 2008 she was the first
para-dressage rider at the North American Young Rider Championships and the Festival
of Champions. During those years, talented dressage athlete Debbie McDonald mentored
Holly. However, it was Mary Lutz in 2008 who first introduced Holly to the para-equestrian
dressage program. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities for international competition that
being a para-equestrian presents, but I mostly compete in able-bodied competitions,”
explained Holly. “Dressage is dressage whether it’s able-bodied or para-equestrian and I
feel lucky any time I get to compete. I hope that by competing as an able-bodied athlete I’m
helping to show what para-equestrians are capable of.”
Holly continued to compete throughout high school and eventually qualified for the
World Equestrian Games in 2010 where she was steps from representing the USA. After
graduation in Colorado, Holly moved to San Diego where she became heavily involved in
the dressage community. It was in San Diego where Rubino and Holly became partners in
January 2012.
Holly and Rubino at Del Mar in 2012
Photo by Lindsay McCall
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