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Profile, Sidelines Equestrian News Magazine
July 28, 2001
Resolutions: Michelle Gibson
By Romy Colleen du Jong reprinted with permission of Sidelines
Every dressage rider has heard the story of Michelle Gibson and Peron -- the duo that secured the Bronze Medal for America in the Atlanta Olympics -- how they triumphed, and then, how she lost the ride on her partner of so many years. Finances -- the realities of the horse industry -- played a part, but no matter the reason, that was a partnership that was lost to the Dressage Community as a whole, and an especially telling blow not only to the USET's dressage team, but to Michelle herself.
Another, more recent Team partnership that was dissolved was Christine Traurig and Etienne. After competing in Sydney as the team anchor, Etienne's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Hans decided to sell him. While Christine tried to put together a syndicate to purchase the big guy, it didn't happen. Another loss for the Team.
 Having known personally how hard it is to work and work and establish that rapport only to have financial reality intervene, Michelle has become a moving force in establishing The Applewood. Foundation that someday should make those special relationships more permanent.
If we Americans want to compete with the big guns in Europe, we must go there. They aren't coming here. Training in Europe is essential. Get the experience. Let the judges see you!
"America deserves a gold medal in the 2004 summer equestrian Olympic Games," 94 Michelle says with feeling. The Applewood Foundation for Excellence in Dressage (a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable foundation) was recently formed in Marietta, Georgia with the goal of aiding top-level horse/rider combinations to the US Olympic Dressage team. The inspiration behind this was Michelle Gibson. Dressage, especially at that level, is incredibly expensive. A million dollars is not unheard of to get one horse and rider to the Games. Hopefully, the Applewood Foundation will become a financial force in mounting an Olympic team for Athens and future competitions. These types of foundations are needed because of the burden that could deter the talented horse and rider combinations that are here in the United States. This way, says Michelle, the riders can concentrate on the training and not the costs of competing -- and then, the US can move up the medal ladder more realistically.
"I always wanted to go to the Olympics," she says candidly. "What kid doesn't have that dream at one time or another -- but I've learned it takes more than just desire. It takes dedication, hard work, perseverance, talent and luck." And the right horse and the money to campaign him.
For Michelle Gibson, all those things eventually came together -- and then some of them fell apart. Michelle had the support of her family, and in fact, they organized her first trip to Europe when she went as an exchange student at a jumper barn. But then she met Willi Schultheis, who changed her life. "He wanted to see if this American girl could ride. He put me on one of his horses without whip or spurs. He asked me to do every thing. I never sat on a horse who was so quick to the aids before."
Michelle was better than he expected, and she was told afterwards that although there was no room in his barn, she could come and work his wife's Thoroughbred racehorses on the flat, and he would teach her once a week. She did that for three months before Rudolph Zeilinger offered her a job as a working student in his barn.
"It wasn't a glamorous job," she grins. "I mucked stalls for four and a half years. I worked hard all day long, even weekends. If I went to a horse show and it was my weekend to work, it didn't matter; going back to the barn and working was just part of the industry." All told, Michelle spent seven years in Germany. "I was very zealous and wanted to learn more," she sighs.
Michelle says she was able to ride 8 to 10 horses a day. Zeilinger taught her the importance of a stable seat, developing close contact with the horse so that he maintains self-carriage without rider interference. Michelle says she learned the importance of really communicating with an equine partner; a true relationship between equals.
In 1993, she was ready. Michelle returned home to the States and actively campaigned for an Olympic mount. The Websters saw an article about her in the local paper and called her. "When I first saw Peron, he was out of shape and in a pasture," she says. "I took my saddle. I had nothing to lose. It was a long shot that paid off.
"I liked him immediately. He did everything I asked him to do and more.
"I took a clinic later with Zeilinger in New Jersey and he asked me to return to Germany and work for him. He said "We'll see how far the partnership [between me and Peron] could go." I worked for my training, and the Websters paid for the veterinarian and farrier.
I wanted to be the best rider I could be. Peron had a good attitude, and he was kind. He didn't like to be fussed over. He liked his carrots, but be needed his quiet time. He had the biggest heart! I was inspired by him, but he made me work for the scores. He gave as much as he took. He was better than most horses. He was a rare combination -- he stood out!
Understandably, after the years of training, the struggle of preparing, a trust -- an absolute trust -- developed between horse and rider. That made that last ride harder than can be imagined -- and perhaps was the seed that was planted that became the Applewood Foundation.
"I was devastated," Michelle says, remembering that last ride. "I put on my game face, but it was not the way I wanted to end the Olympics or my partnership with Peron. I never really had closure with him. The fact that he's now dead is a real tragedy.
"Peron will always have a special place in my heart."
Sponsorship is important to any serious dressage rider, and while Michelle has her share -- Sundowner Trailers, Koening, Pikeur, Triple Crown Horse Wear and Grand Prix -- it takes more still. She, and other talented riders like her, need to find that one special horse, and have the assurance that the partnership they form will be a lasting one. What began with Peron can continue -- and some day in the not-too-distant future, Michelle may find another horse to take her to the Olympics in Athens. And so might other riders, as well.
For anyone interested in supporting the Applewood Foundation, contact David Gowers at 770-891-3914 or visit www.applewoodfoundation.org.
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