"Gift Horse"
Bonnie M. Hodges
Watercolor and Gouache
7" x 10"
Ibn's Legacy: A Horse's Gift
Nine-year-old Cynthia could hardly believe her luck the day her first horse arrived from Minnesota. Living in Texas, she had been dreaming of having a horse for as long as she could remember. Her mother and grandmother were both horsewomen with a deep love for horses, a quality Cynthia had inherited. She would spend hours poring over horse books, memorizing the names of famous horses, and dreaming of her own future horse. Cynthia had already been taking horseback riding lessons for a year, learning the basics and hoping for the day when she could have her own horse. And now, in the golden light of the late afternoon, she stood in front of him for the first time: Ibn Abdul, a stunning blood bay gelding with a striking blaze and three white socks, whose "chrome" made him stand out in the crowd.
Ibn was an Arab-Saddlebred cross, older and experienced, he had been a show horse in Minnesota. Cynthia was a little nervous—after all, he was a hot-blooded horse with a spirited nature—but Ibn was kind and gentle, especially with children, and she immediately felt at ease on him.
Cynthia soon discovered that while Ibn had little interest in jumping, he was a natural in the dressage arena. Despite his smaller stature, he moved with the big, flowing gaits usually seen in warmbloods, catching the attention of onlookers and judges alike. In one particularly memorable show, Ibn exhibited an especially beautiful lengthened trot, earning an impressive score of 9. Cynthia would always remember that moment.
In those early years, Cynthia and Ibn worked through Training and First Level dressage, mastering circles, transitions, and the subtleties of connection that define the art. They spent countless hours in the arena under the Texas sun, perfecting each movement and losing themselves in the connection of their bond. Ibn wasn’t just flashy—he was steady and reliable, offering Cynthia a foundation upon which she could build. Together, they brought home ribbons from local horse shows, each one a milestone of their progress and deepening bond.
When it came time to retire Ibn at the age of 19, Cynthia and her family decided to donate him to the Hope Arena in Galveston, Texas, where he could bring comfort to others as a therapy horse. At Hope Arena, Ibn found a new purpose, offering gentle rides to brain-injured and burn victims, who found joy and healing in his company. His beauty and gentle nature quickly made him a favorite among the therapy riders, who cherished his calm and kind disposition. Even in retirement, Ibn continued to bring joy to those who needed it most.
As Cynthia grew up, her passion for dressage deepened. In high school, she decided to learn German, determined to access the wealth of classical dressage knowledge found in German texts. Years later, Cynthia’s dedication led her to translate several German dressage theory books into English, making this invaluable knowledge accessible to countless other riders. Through it all, she carried with her the lessons Ibn had taught her—lessons in patience, understanding, and connection.
Though years have passed, Cynthia has never forgotten her beautiful blood bay with the warmblood-like gaits who shaped her life so profoundly. Every day, she carries a piece of Ibn’s spirit with her—a legacy of trust and love that lives on.
Cynthia's dressage website is at http://cynthiahodges.com/dressage/index.html
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