Turquoise ISF, Star – A Dressage Partner
Kaaren Staveteig of Ashton, MD was hooked on horses as a kid. At age 11, she began riding a Shetland Pony named Doc. “He and I were great pals and enjoyed many adventures,” she said. “Together we learned the basics of grooming, equitation and jumping.” From there Kaaren progressed to horses and competed in 4-H and AQHA shows in western pleasure and equitation.
Like many riders, Kaaren took a sabbatical from riding to attend college and raise a family. She returned to the horse 10 years ago and was introduced to dressage. “I fell in love with the sport and began learning on an off-the-track Thoroughbred, who took me from Intro to First Level. When she developed health issues, I began looking for a new partner.”
“I first met Turquoise ISF, or ‘TQ’ (as she is now known around our barn), in December of 2015,” Kaaren recalled. “I had been searching for a new dressage partner and my trainer found her classified on a friend’s website. We went and checked her out and loved what we saw. I searched for over a year, so finding TQ was a truly exciting moment!”
Turquoise ISF, Star is a daughter of Heinse 354, Sport/Preferent, a three-time Dutch National Champion Friesian and a renowned sire of four Approved stallions and many successful dressage horses. Turquoise ISF is out of a daughter of the Grand Prix stallion Goffert 369, Sport. TQ was named Reserve Champion Mare at her FHANA keuring before beginning her dressage career.
“TQ was a beautiful, willing and good-natured mare. I was showing First Level at the time and she had successfully shown Second Level,” Kaaren explained. “I was studying with USDF gold medalist Vanessa Swartz, and serious about growing my skills as a rider and advancing up through the levels. I knew TQ could teach me a lot and then hopefully we could learn new things together.”
The plan worked. Kaaren and TQ competed at Third and Fourth Level in 2022 and earned their USDF Bronze medal, plus the first two scores required for the USDF Silver medal.
“TQ is a sweet natured mare with a strong desire to please,” Kaaren said. “Her ground manners are impeccable. Under saddle, she is honest and respects the use of the correct aids. She has proven to be very athletic and is very dramatic with her tempi changes. She loves competing and definitely has her favorite show arenas.”
“She loves carrots, apples, alfalfa cubes and brown sugar cubes. Her best friend is a 19-year-old gelding named Garth. He is half-Friesian and half-Arabian. They often share treats and live in adjacent stalls,” Kaaren said.
So what’s next for TQ in 2023? Kaaren said, “We’re looking forward to the spring and the opportunity to show again.”
Photo of Turquoise ISF by Christina Dale.
