Many people assume that part of what makes a horse great is that they are easy. This is not always the case. Some of the greatest horses have been extremely difficult, yet have the ability to teach you something along the way. These horses are hard to find, but not impossible. Some horses take incredible patience and trust in order to find true success. For Brandy Barniak of Watertown, New York, this horse is a stunning chestnut gelding by the name of All Rights Reserved.
“Norman” first entered Barniak’s life in 2010 as a two-year-old. She fell in love with his incredible movement and breeding. The double registered gelding is impossible to miss, with his lofty movement and quiet disposition. Right from the beginning, Norman presented her with a few challenges.
Barniak recalls when she first purchased Norman. She had planned for him to be the first horse she finished on her own. Though, those plans quickly changed. When the young, scared gelding arrived, the shipper cautioned her about Norman, saying he was a “wild one.”
Norman had broken his halter while in transit and refused to be caught. Barniak’s mother was leery of the young colt, however, Brandy saw something special in the frightful gelding. She wanted to learn what made him tick and believed that the gelding had much more potential than what everyone else was telling her.
As time went on, Barniak learned bits and pieces about the horse’s past. As these tales surfaced, Barniak knew she was making the right choice in giving Norman another chance. One such instance that caused the talented gelding terror was during Norman’s initial days under saddle.
While at Congress, Barniak heard from a young man who rode Norman during his younger years. According to this man, Norman had been left in a saddle and bridle for days while he was initially being broken out.
“We were flabbergasted,” remembers Barniak. “We had no response but disgust. He may be trying at times, but all horses are. You should mold the program to the horse, not the horse to your program. That one week with an impatient colt starter managed to leave such a lasting impression of Norman, but I knew he could overcome it.”
Despite her new show partner’s anxiety, Barniak did not give up. She recalls that, in his younger years, Norman would not stand in cross ties, and was very anxious in his stall. He also was not always the easiest horse to ride, constantly having flashbacks to his early years. With the help of trainers, Jill and Dan Bergstresser of Oswego, New York, Barniak was able to work through his many layers.
When asked about Norman, the Bergstressers could not help but smile. They remember the sense of accomplishment they felt when they finally had a breakthrough and earned Norman’s trust. Barniak had similar sentiments.
“He’s a special horse,” Barniak states. “He won’t just trust anyone. You have to work for it. But once he trusts you, he’ll do anything and everything for you. He’s really the biggest goofball. Norman thinks he’s a lap dog once he trusts you!”
Through incredible patience, Barniak was able to transform Norman into an incredible show horse. While his movement has led to some success in the rail events, Norman’s true talent arose when he first entered a pattern class. The bond Barniak shares with her gelding shines through in horsemanship, equitation, and showmanship.
Over time, Barniak was able to add trail and ranch riding. This year, they plan to add western riding and hunter hack, to further show his versatility.
The hard work has certainly paid off for Barniak and Norman. The pair has consistently been on the Top 20 list for Classic Amateur for APHA for the past five years. They have many honor roll titles, and are currently twentieth on the lifetime leaders list for Classic Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation. In 2014, the pair competed at the AQHA Level 1 Championship, earning third place honors in Amateur Equitation.
“He loves to show, and he loves new things. When I started jumping him, he gave one hundred percent and loved it. He’s catching on to lead changes, too. I’m excited to try new things with him this year,” states Barniak. “He just came from an abusive past and got started in the wrong hands. We had a long road of building trust, using patience, and finding the right fit for him. He couldn’t be a happier horse than he is now. He’s changed so much and is such a lover. I’m so glad I could make his life better because I know he’s made mine better!”
When asked about what her experience with Norman has taught her, Barniak states “I learned not to force a horse to do something. It takes positive reinforcements and building blocks to reach a goal.”
We wish Brandy and Norman luck as they pursue their newest goals this show season!
