Sometimes the best adventures begin when you take a leap across the ocean. For Debbie and her family, the search for her next horse turned into a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland with Courtney—filled with learning, laughter, and the moment of certainty that every rider hopes for: “That’s the one.” From the first ride on Excel Star Midas Touch (“Harper”), his kind heart and steady nature stood out, and he’s since become more than just a partner in the ring—he’s family. What led you to choose Courtney when it came time to find your next horse? Harper was my daughter’s next horse, and we were guided by our trainer to look at horses at C Square Farm. We had been looking for a while, in both Florida and PA and we could not find the right match for her. It was suggested that we go to Ireland with Courtney to shop there. After seeing so many eligible candidates we found Harper, the perfect match! He quickly became a permanent member of the family and I took over the ride when Dana went to nursing school.
How did Courtney help you find a horse that was truly the right match for you?
With the luxury of being in Ireland and trying many horses at many stables, and even going to see some that were at the local shows, Dana had the time to really feel each horse.. and learn a lot along the way. Her confidence improved, her riding improved, and she was able to judge a nice quality horse with a lot of support from the team! Some Courtney ruled out right away.. she listened to them jog! Some our trainer who was with us ruled out. Dana sat on many!! Courtney did all the legwork to make the trip easy.. lodging was arranged, dinners organized, driving routes mapped out, schedules planned.
Tell us about your horse—what made you choose them, and what do you love most?
Harper has a kind soul and a great brain. He loves to jump, took to cross country like a duck to water and even excels in the dressage ring. Eventing is complicated and the horse/rider partnership was most important to us. The first time we saw Harper under saddle we saw how genuine he was. We watched him being ridden and Dana said “I have to sit on that one”. You know that special feeling that everyone talks about when you know something is right.. Yeah, that happened! 30 horses by that time in our travels she knew he was special. We asked to take him cross country schooling and at 5 he had never done that before. He loved every minute of it, hopping up banks, down banks, logs, water.. everything they had there. We knew then that he had to come home with us.
What have you and your horse accomplished together so far?
Harper was 5 when we imported him. and having been an accomplished show jumper, needed some training in cross country and needed to be introduced to the dressage arena. They started at Beginner Novice and Dana eventually worked her way with him to run him at Modified at all sorts of venues in both Area 2 and 3. She ran him twice at the Waredaca Classic 3 Day event. That was a true highlight for both her riding him and me grooming for them. She won “best conditioned horse” on him the first year that she rode him there! I have taken over the ride and have been eventing at the intro level with several dressage shows to add some variety. I tend to have show nerves, but he doesn’t mind at all. He is such a steady eddy. He is so chill anywhere he goes and always knows that is job is to take care of me.
What are your future goals as a team?
Future goals for Harper and me… after a colic surgery we have spent a lot of time doing rehab and conditioning work with him.. I have spent many hours guiding him through stall rest. But he has been the perfect patient. He was so genuine that I could manage him on every outing without a shank or being drugged. He is that levelheaded. I have enjoyed bringing him along and feeling him getting stronger every day. Future goals are to dance around in the dressage arena! I am fortunate now to be riding under the guidance of Missy Ransehousen and Sharon Best at Blue Hill Farm and am having the time of my life with this wonderful horse. He really loves to jump so we will play with that for fun but I’m more suited to the flatwork now. I love learning a lot and am enjoying discovering all the buttons that Harper has!
What has being part of Courtney’s program or community meant to you?
It’s fun to watch the leaderboard and see the other Excel Stars succeed.
Any advice you’d give to someone considering working with Courtney to find their next partner?
If you have the time and resources, I would highly recommend that you go with Courtney to Ireland to search for your next horse! We saw many quality horses and learned a lot through the entire process. It was surely the trip of a lifetime and an experience with my daughter that I treasure greatly!
Thank you, Debbie, Dana (and Harper!), for sharing your journey. From finding “the one” in Ireland to growing together through training, showing, and recovery, your story is a beautiful reminder that the best horses aren’t just talented—they’re the ones who take care of us, teach us, and make every ride feel special. We’re so happy to have you as part of the Excel Star family!
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