February 2021 Issue

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FARMS HORSES HORSES my legs more stable gave my upper body a lot more mobility, and I was able to use both reins in a more normal way. “I especially had a hard time cantering,” she said. “My right leg would have a spasm and shoot forward so I wasn’t able to keep it on the horse, but I thought through strength training and practice that I should be able to make that better, and not have to use special equipment. During my hippotherapy program, I had been riding in a saddle that had a horn in the front of it and held onto a strap, so I could keep my hands steady and my seat effective. “Missy also adapted the saddle that I was riding in with external knee rolls and a higher cantle so I was drawn deeper into the seat.” This change allowed Mcintosh to eventually manage canter half-passes with a horse called “Hobbs.” Known as “Hobbs” around the barn, Idalgo was a retired four-star mount of eventer, Buck Davidson. The Selle Francais gelding and Gigi formed a bond, and he took to his second career as a para-dressage horse. However, “Hobbs had a great trot,” McIntosh said, “but he had a terrible walk.” For this reason, McIntosh borrowed a horse to try to qualify for the 2012 London Games, which she narrowly missed. “Missy then found Rio Rio, a horse that was competitive when we found her,” she said. Rio Rio was a Rhein- lander mare that Gigi purchased in 2013 with the goal of compet- ing at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, where she earned the title of 2014 Reserve Champion. By the time the pair travelled to Brazil in 2016 Gigi had become comfortable with riding with all the changes that had been necessary. McIntosh said, “The hardest thing about the Para tests was staying mobilized and accurate during a series of required half circles and eight-meter circles in the middle of the ring. But one thing I carried over from eventing was the use of markers. For example, when you walk a cross-country course you line your fences up with a tree on the far side so that you stay straight, especially when you’re jumping a corner. I was able to translate that into the dressage ring if there was a flagpole that delin- eated the 10-meter mark and aim for it.” Margaret “Gigi” McIntosh Won’t Let Retirement Take the Reins “Repetition is a lot of it. It is really hard to ride an all-walk test because there’s nothing that wakes the horse up. You don’t have that moment of trot to get them energized again,” Ranse- housen said. “For Gigi, it was a different kind of adrenaline, but it’s the same when you go down that centerline, because you are still saying, ‘Hey look at me!’ You just don’t have the fun part after that.” These days, Rio Rio is also enjoying retirement. “Missy taught her all the movements for Prix St. George, then sold her to Lori Racioppo, but she is now living in the lap of luxury at George Morris’ old New Jersey farm," said McIn- tosh. Aging and Ability “I started riding at sev- en-years old and I was al- ways most comfortable riding cross-country,” McIntosh said in a 2014 documentary about her comeback called “Fork in the Road.” She admitted ques- tioning the point of returning to the sport if she couldn’t ride the way she had been. “As an eventer, I plotted what events would lead to higher levels so goal setting was important to me. When I woke up in the hos- pital, I suddenly had no goals,” she said. But McIntosh’s second act might still be her best. This time last year, she was not atop a horse, but the mountain ridge of Machu Picchu, achieving yet another life-long dream. “Getting fit enough to make that trip became my post-Paralym- pic goal,” she said. “While no actual hiking was involved, bus, plane, and train rides required a lot from my fragile lower back Up to that point, one of my proudest moments was chanting ‘USA’ beside my Olympic and Paralympic teammates at the White House,” she said. Though McIntosh continues to strive to stay fit, her back was not holding up to the hour-long commute to Unionville to ride. “Although I don’t ride any more, I work out on a virtual basis as an outpatient at Tower Health in Reading. Right now, it’s a strug- gle, because no matter how much I do I’m still not walking up steps to a ring and riding the horse,” she said. Ransenhousen said, “I miss having Gigi at the barn every day. She made the young riders much more respectful and more appreciative. She brought a whole new light to the farm and that’s big because the kids don’t always see the other end and it teaches them to be helpful in any way possible.” Staying fit enough to ski has been a motivating force since McIntosh first tried it on for size at Steamboat Ski Resort in Colorado. “I don’t have to sit, and much of what I do is muscle memory,” she said. “I can’t do a snowplow, but I can do a hock- ey stop and that controls my speed. I’ve been lucky to have the help it took to do advanced slopes.” McIntosh skied in Montana in February, 2020 before the lock down. “COVID put a dent in things because I do love to travel,” she said. Ransehousen said, “A big part of working with a horse or rider is to find out where their biggest strengths are.” In her experience, “once they adapt to the new way their body works, Para-athletes never slow down.” McIntosh is grateful that staying connected has also been a breeze. “After my accident, Bruce made every effort to keep me involved in the sport, con- tinuing to coach my horses with their new owners and making me feel welcome at his Chesterland Farm. Unionville is a community rife with former international riders, including Mary Hazzard, Missy and Jessica. When I visit, I am delighted to watch my friends teach up-and-coming young riders.” McIntosh’s hope for the future is that young Para riders like her teammates, 35-year- old Rebecca Hart and Sydney Collier, will have more oppor- tunities for sponsorships that help them reach the top. As for her, “While I definitely miss riding and ideally would love to have a horse to hack out in our beautiful Pennsylvania country- side, for someone that has to be tied onto the saddle, there are so many things that could go wrong.” With a touch of typical McIntosh flavor she added, “My favorite saying is that ‘If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.’ You always have to have something to look forward to and horses gave me that boost.” To learn more about Marga- ret’s journey watch: “A Fork in the Road” or “Modern Hero” on YouTube and Facebook or visit: https://www.gigimcintosh.com/ about. (Continued from page 20) Horse Lay Ups: 20 minute drive to New Bolton Center/ University of Pennsylvania Vet School. (No self care avail- able). Owner owned and run. Over 30 years experience. Two references requested. Rates upon request. 610-721-5902. Foaling Stalls: Limited space available for mares that want to foal in Pennsylvania. 20 minute drive to New Bolton Center/University Of Penn- sylvania Vet School. Over 30 years experience. Reasonable rates. 610-721-5902. Quiet, no stress 40-acre facility 10 min. to DE Memorial & Commodore Barry bridges, adjacent to 38 mi. of marked/ GPS trails. Lit round pen/are- na, ¼ mi. track, wooded jump & competitive trail courses. $300 pasture/$500 stall board. 609-617-2118. Great Care at Barn in Southern Chester County, PA. Indoor and Outdoor rings, round pen and trails. Stall board $450/month, Field $325. Vet references available, 20+ years experience, nice people. Judy 610-368-3822 4 Year Old TB Gelding: Very reasonably priced. 16 and 1 hands. Dark bay. Very qui- et. Sound. Trail rides. Paper chase. Green in the ring. Lovely ground manners. Ships/ clips. Good home only. 610-721-5902. Large Chestnut Colt: Full brother to Devon/Upperville Winner. Unregistered TB. PA Bred. Will win on the line. Very athletic. Good mover. 610-721-5902. Omega Horse Rescue located in Airville, PA has a variety of horses and ponies ready for their forever homes! Please visit our website to see pictures, videos and how you can help! www.omegahorserescue.com Better than right off the track! The PTHA's Turning for Home, Inc. always has OTTBs that are properly rehabbed, retrained and ready for their new careers. Find your next horse at www.turningforhome. org or call 215-808-7562. Two OTTB mares: 15yo liver chestnut, 15.2, retired sound, proven broodmare, $600. 13yo bay, 14.3, serviceably sound, $700. Both need re-schooling for Dressage, Hunter or Plea- sure careers. 215-536-5353, Lv message. MISC. CATS: Barn homes in Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, PA. are needed to give rescued strays a chance at life. Cats are neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated; delivered and acclimated. Fill out an application to adopt at StrayCatBlues.org or call 215-631-1851 HORSES AND FRESH AIR HELP! Quiet, relaxed TRC in Garnet Valley needs instruc- tors and volunteers for our therapeutic and regular riding lessons. TY Reply to: allridersup@comcast.net 2018 KINGSTON 2 Horse Trailer with Dressing Room. Used twice, stored indoors. Saddle racks, full divider, feed bags, head divider, padded butt bars, large windows & LED lighting. Extra high & wide. $15,000/OBO. 814-881-9294. Gatehouse skullcap helmet size 1 (54 cm) . Silver, Never worn. Purchased one month ago in the UK. $175 firm. Contact gretal ong1@gmail.com Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! Coming in the March issue of East Coast Equestrian! To advertise, call (717) 509-9800  www.eastcoastequestrian.net The news East Coast horse owners need to know Two features! Real Estate Showcase and Equine Events and Experts Related advertisers who buy a 1/4 page or larger ad will receive a FREE, 200-300 word article, written by our award-winning staff, about their business. Ads will remain on our website, visited by more than 8,000 individuals each month , for a year. Plus...social media support! Advertising Deadline: Feb. 12