On The Cover

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10 – November/December, 2024

By Delores Kuhlwein

Becoming a partner with a remarkable horse is a dream all horsemen possess.

When Madeleine Bayless purchased Im Willy Good Today in November 2022, she knew the 2016 brown gelding by Good I Will Be and out of A Walk In The Sky was special. Since then, not only has Madeleine found “Drake” to be everything she dreamed of – a horse of size, talent, beauty, and gentleness – she’s also found he’s a privilege to own and show. “I feel a real sense of honor to be a part of his spectacular story and to experience the joy of riding him,” she explains. “He truly is the GOAT!”

Because deep down inside the spectacular, eye-catching athlete, who trainer Keith Miller describes as, “the epitome of what our hunter under saddle horses should be – big, beautiful, with a ground-covering trot and the ability to canter effortlessly,” also beats a heart of gold.

As Madeleine and Drake began their journey, which kicked off at the 2023 Sun Circuit with a Circuit Championship in the L1 Amateur HUS, he offered his heart. “Drake has taught me so much,” Made-leine explains. “He has been patient with me as I’ve gained more experience navigating in the highly competitive HUS pen and as I’ve worked to increase my physical strength and stamina.”

Click here to read the complete article
10 – November/December, 2024