By Tori Sheehan

Through gorgeous waves of thick black manes, Sandra Dalman gazes at a three-stride oxer. Two symmetrical ears frame his view, both pointing forward, attention fixed on the fence in front of them. Both, horse and rider, clear the obstacle with a burst of athleticism, and Dalman instantly knows his instincts were correct – this horse is amazing and she wants to be a part of the next leg of his journey.

“He was totally adorable, just a little ball of energy,” Dalman says. “He was great fun.”

Dalman had previously ridden this lovely 16.1-hour bay gelding named Drake (Dulf Van Den Bisschop—Caretina III), but it only took one jump before she decided to buy the 7-year-old. That first jump session was over two years ago, but Drake’s jump still puts a smile on Dalman’s face.

“You just get to the jump and explode and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, that’s so cool! ‘” Dalman said. “I liked his eagerness and his attitude. He loves to jump. He always gives his best effort. I thought he was a really cool prospect for the future.

An attractive start

Drake’s father, Dulf Van Den Bisschop, is in the United States and carried Kelsey Cruciotti to a 2* Grand Prix victory the year Drake was born. Raised by Pony Lane Farm in Utah, from the start, Drake captivated the humans in his life.

“He was not an easy colt,” says his breeder Maura Thatcher with a smile. “Dulf babies tend to have a bit more attitude.”

Sass early on, Drake also emerged with stunning looks that set him apart right away.

“It was very well put together, very pretty,” says Thatcher. “I have a vet tech who lives on the farm and helps me foal, and she said, ‘This one is going to be special’. She predicted it and he grew up to be a very beautiful horse. .

Drake is distinguished by a timeless elegance. The copper hues of his bay coat blend perfectly with his jet black mane and tail and the tips of his “perfect pony ears”. His neck bears a slight arch and his eyes are intelligent, exploring the world around him with as much curiosity as concentration. Even before seeing him move, even before riding him, he attracts attention.

“He’s one of the favorite photographers,” says Dalman. “He’s literally like America’s Next Top Model, his personality matches his being. He exudes confidence and he knows he’s handsome.

Seeing Drake is only half the story. Luckily, he’s more than a pretty face.

“You get on and he takes his trot and trots right away,” Dalman says. “He has a rocking horse gallop, he is super comfortable. He’s pretty broke too – you can do lead changes every two strides and then you’ll jump and he’ll be a little playful on the first few fences and then he’ll get to work. It rises to a cavalletti as it rises to 1.45 m.

find your rhythm

Dalman and Drake have been through everything from injuries to FEI debuts. The duo successfully toured the country in 1.30m to 1.40m classes in Split Rock, Kentucky, Traverse City and Aiken. Drake earned top American Bred honors in the 8-year-old jumpers final last year. Also last year, Drake made his FEI debut in Ohio with Dalman. Since then he has had three FEI starts, finishing in the top 20 in two of them. After an injury that sidelined Dalman for several months, she gave Drake a break. The two were eager to get back to competing at this year’s WEF. The first class they entered, the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m, they flew in 2nd place out of 31 entries.

Dalman has made a business out of finding promising talent and bringing them into the ranks of the FEI. According to her, Drake not only likes to win, but he’s fun to ride.

“He’s just this little engine that never gives up,” Dalman says. “You ask for the really long distance going into that 40 meter combination, and it just leaves the ground! Erase it and you end up like, ‘How did you do that?’ And then you back up to a tight vertical and you get there too deep and he gets out of the way, then you land and run to the next jump and he spreads his feet again! ‘How do you do that?’ He keeps getting better. It’s a feeling of freshness. You feel like he’s on your side and will do whatever you ask him to do. He really understands what you’re trying to do there.

“He’s got a lot of guts and attitude, which I think is important in jumping rounds flawlessly,” Thatcher said. “He always wanted to do his job and that’s always amazing to me. Why do these horses want to do this? Well, it’s in their line.

An American example

Drake’s bloodlines are more than just a recipe for talent; they are the result of many people who have patiently moved American breeding forward. Thatcher is honest, noting that breeding here in the United States is not for the faint of heart. Where European farms have large-scale breeding programs in place, American breeders are still trying to compete with quantity.

“American breeding is progressing,” Thatcher says. “I don’t think people understand the volume you have to do to get a Drake. It’s real volume. I only do three to five a year and some years you get a really nice horse and some years you get a normal horse. Drake is special, but not all of them are special.

That’s why when something special happens, it’s important to celebrate it. Thatcher and Dalman see Drake’s talent as a proud testament to the options American breeding creates in the sport, even if it may take time to create it.

“I always thought of it as, ‘Great, Drake is out there winning,'” Thatcher says. “That means other people may want to buy horses from me, from my breeding program.”

“I like buying from America because I normally know the people I’m dealing with directly very well,” says Dalman. “Drake was raised here, and his career has been here, and somebody can watch him since he was four or five years old. He’s already been shown at the WEF, he’s been shown in Michigan – he’s shown all the places and been in all the rings, and I think that’s an asset.

The next chapter

When Dalman thinks of Drake’s future, she often thinks of where they started. She and Drake’s journey has been fulfilling, and while he has climbed the horse show ranks in level and success, Dalman is proud of the fact that in many ways he has come full circle.

“When I bought him he was young and playful and a bit like a teenager. But now he’s really become a great show horse and he’s completely professional. He knows his job and he really enjoys it. . I feel like I’ve kind of brought him to the level where he needs to be. Now is the time for him to get a new partner and bring him up the ladder now,” she says. “I I just know someone is going to love him and appreciate him for all he is, and he’s going to be a great asset to their team.”

Wherever her future takes her, Dalman will never forget how Drake’s sheer presence inspires a fairytale flutter of horsewoman fantasy.

“He really is absolutely gorgeous. His hair, his muscles, his chiseled face…he’s just a gorgeous horse. And when you ride him, he’s just as stunning,” Dalman says.

Whether it’s jumping out of a 1.45m suit or just staring at him, when you’re with Drake it’s never a question, you’re in the presence of a star.

Drake Breeding Distribution

• • 9 years
• • Belgian hot blood
• • Father: Dulf Van Den Bisschop
• • Bracing: Caretina III
• • Raised by Pony Lane Farms

What’s in a name?

From the moment Drake was born, he already had a certain style in him. So much so that when the time came for his breeders to name him, they granted him an iconic namesake to match his panache. It’s no coincidence that he’s named after four-time Grammy-winning rapper Drake.

“They called him Drake because he always had that swagger,” says Dalman.

After Pony Lane Farms, Drake had a brief name change with a new owner, but when Dalman got it, she couldn’t help but reintroduce the name.

“I changed it to Drake because it suits the horse so well.”

Whether it’s topping the Billboard charts or the FEI courses, confidence and arrogance are essential for superstars.

*This story originally appeared in the March 2022 issue of The Plaid Horse. Click here to read it now and subscribe for issues delivered right to your door!