DEBUTANTE | 8 YEAR – OLD DUTCH WARMBLOOD/ WESTPHALIAN MARE | FORT WORTH, TX
Debutante is an 8 year old Dutch warmblood and Westphalian mare. Debutante’s Sire is Diacontinus and her Dam is For Pleasure who is by Julio Mariner. She was bred in Germany and resides at October Hill Farm with trainers Nico Gamboa, Brooke Cagle, and Kat Barkema. She is currently leased and ridden by Alice O’Neill.
Debutante is a dark bay with all white lower legs except for her front right. Debutante, also nicknamed Deb, is very sweet and fun. She is always up for a challenge and seems happiest when she is jumping and competing with Alice. Deb loves classic horse treats like apples and carrots and she will not eat any treats with artificial sweeteners in them, like peppermints! Debutante was flown in from Germany just for Alice which makes her so special to Alice and her mom. The pair have been together for a few months so they are working on getting to know each other and strengthening their bond. The first time they met was at a show and Alice recalls that she had to wake up super early to get to try her out, but that it was so worth it! A few hours later she showed Deb for the first time, and it was only her second time riding her! She had a wonderful round and at that moment she knew Debutante was the horse for her. Since then, Alice and Debutante have had lots of success in their short time together, including a win in the $2000 1.05m Jr/Am Jumper Classic in Tyler at the Texas Rose Horse Park.
Now, a little bit about Alice. Alice started riding in kindergarten and is currently in 6th grade. She began leasing her first horse in the 4th grade and since then has had lots of success with the team at October Hill Farm. Alice says that she loves owning/leasing horses because you can build a personal connection with the horse that you cannot achieve without getting to call them your own. Alice has a deep love for her horses and aims to create a true bond with all of them, especially Debutante.
Alice’s favorite memory with Deb is, “My first 1.05 on her. It wasn’t my best round ever but I had so much fun. It felt like I was flying over the jumps. She was super good and I learned so much from that one round.” Since then, the pair have become a dynamic duo in the 1.05m Jr/Am division and will continue to grow their partnership!
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Karinda K. is a Houston, TX based equine photographer that travels around the United States photographing equestrians and their horses. Karinda specializes in Outdoor Horse & Rider Portrait sessions that bring to life the magical relationship equestrians share with their horses, Senior Portraits, and Fine Art Black & White Background Portraits for those that want a piece of art featuring their very own animals.
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Information shared in this blog is based on information collected at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, if for any reason this information is incorrect and you would like your horse’s blog post updated, please notify us via email.
