Jackie Ducci and Westley finish on a Global high
Amateur dressage rider, Jackie Ducci, knows when to accelerate and when to take time. She achieved her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals in just two and a half years. But when it comes to making progress in the competition arena with her horse, Westley, it has been a journey of patience, and at this year’s Global Dressage Festival they began to deliver the much-anticipated results.
“He feels amazing at the moment,” said Jackie of the 17.2hh Hanoverian gelding. “His muscle tone is fully back, he is looking like his old self. People are noticing and commenting, too, which makes me really happy for him.” The pair competed in five Intermediaire I classes at Global this season and won the AA section four of those five rides. During Week 11, they finished with a personal best of 69% for a final AA division win.
The results are impressive in themselves, but in the context of Jackie and Westley’s history together, the success is even more poignant. Jackie purchased Westley from Canadian international Grand Prix trainer/competitor Shannon Dueck in the spring of 2023. Just weeks thereafter, the horse suffered a freak injury during a simple surgery, putting him out of work for nearly a year while he was tack walked and nursed slowly back to health by Jackie.
“It was a long road, but it really helped us deepen our relationship,” said Jackie. “He definitely knows that I have his back and will always do right by him. I love him to pieces.”
Now nearly nine months back into full training, hard work is paying off. Jackie and Westley are based at Diamante Farms in Wellington, training with Devon Kane. Since being there, they have also worked hard on Westley’s nutrition, stripping back on supplements and switching his feed to Purina brand. “He had gotten thin when he was out of work,” Jackie said. “And I was having a terrible time putting weight back on him even when he was back in work and should have been building back muscle. With the help of the diet change, he’s now back to his beefy self – he looks and feels like a completely different horse.” He does still take a gut supplement and, because he has anhidrosis, a supplement to help with sweating.
Now with the success of this season under their belt, it is time to set their sights even higher. “He is progressing so well now,” said Jackie. “He is able to passage consistently now – when several months ago he could only hold it for a few strides at a time.” They are also working on confirming the one-time tempis and improving the quality of the pirouettes.
If all goes according to plan, the Grand Prix will be in their future. “I think we will get there,” said Jackie. “If that happens, it will be a dream come true. And I could not ask for a better horse to work toward that dream with!”
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