64 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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ach of us who has met that special horse in our lives can
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her special horse.
Nancy and her friends began riding in musical dances with their
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with three chestnut dressage horses. After some searching, Nancy’s
friend pointed her to Classic Tale, a “suitable dressage prospect” that
was “a little rough.”
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been pastured for seven years with minimal care. As low man on
the food chain, he wore kick and bite marks from the other horses,
his ribs were visible, his hooves and coat were in poor condition. To
really complete the picture, barbed wire was even tangled into his
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take CT home that fall. “We had an instant connection. Maybe he
knew that I was going to help him.”
She kept him hidden in the barn, as she was scared that the
Humane Society may suspect them of animal cruelty. By the spring,
CT was a different horse. The neglected guy had become a fat,
shiny, happy horse — ready for the show ring.
Nancy and CT shared many successes in their time together.
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two Regional Championships in musical freestyle. Nancy recalls her
1999 First Level freestyle in Dallas, Texas, with a high
score of 79.792 percent. “I think the judge loved our
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perfectly.”
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Cup, in musical freestyle. “CT loved those musical
classes,” she said. “We danced together for years,
never stepping on each other’s toes. Whatever I asked
of this horse, he tried his best to do my bidding. He has
a generous, willing attitude and tons of heart.”
In April 2014, at the tender age of 30, CT danced
with Nancy, 70, in their Century Club test. They
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Level test.
Her advice for other senior riders, especially at this
time of year, is to give thanks to the horse. “Be grateful
that we’re still able to ride, especially because we’re
in the ‘fall’ of our lives,” she said. “Laugh and have fun
— enjoy your horse. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
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About the writer: Jane Fucinaro is the administrative assistant at
The Dressage Foundation. Outside of her part-time job, she’s a full-
time dressage instructor and trainer specializing in children’s riding
lessons. She stays busy with her local GMO and 4-H dressage
club.
Nancy Litsch and Classic
Tale Never Stop Dancing
By Jane Fucinaro
DRESSAGE
NEVER TOO
OLD
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performed a pas de trois 20 years ago.
Nancy Litsch and
Classic Tale
Photos courtesy of Nancy Litsch
