Flying High:
Brenda Gruer and Canvasback Scene
By Jamie Coffy, administrator of the Standardbred Equestrian Program

The bright chestnut sailed over the fence, thoroughly enjoying his trip around the jump course. His rider, Brenda Gruer, enjoyed it quite much as her horse.

Canvasback Scene makes a better jumper than a harness racehorse. He is out of an unraced, chestnut Storm Damage mare Stormy Scene by Landslide, and he never made it to the races.

Several years, ago, Standardbred Equestrian Program youth member Brenda Gruer made his acquaintance at a near her home in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

"I was told to ride him because no one else could," the teen said. "I have been involved with horses for three years. I used to take lessons…, then I leased him for a few years. Now I own (him)."

Canvasback Scene, shown under the name Irish Red, had trouble developing a good trot instead of pace. With Gruer’s help, practice is perfecting his trot.

The pair enjoy trail and competitive rides and 4-H shows, but their favorite time is spent over fences. Gruer spends time working him over fences in preparation for hunter shows, hunter paces, and show jumping.

Gruer knew she and her gelding had come a long way from their first ride "when I went to a hunter pace and he did every single jump without hesitating," which is no small feat for any horse cantering strongly toward large immovable jumps.

Together, the pair is preparing for another fun season in the show ring and on the trails. This year, they will be participating in the Standardbred Equestrian Program annual High Point Awards for competitors, as well as earning points toward award certificates in the Medallion Program.