Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’ysieux. Photo by Shelby Allen.
At 19 years old, Rubens D’Ysieux has had a long career at the lower rates. Beginning with Michele Kuchta, “Rubens ” won his first ever FEI event, a CIC1* in 2013 at Poplar Place Horse Trials in Hamilton, GA. Finally, Sara Kozumplik took over the drive on Rubens, owned by herself and Edy Rameika, in 2016 when the grey Selle Francais was 11 years old. After traveling through North America with Sara aboard, Rubens is stepping down from the top ranges after placing in the top ten at the TerraNova 4*-S earlier this month.
Sara is prematurely stepping Rubens up from the most challenging levels of the game because he is far from being injured or mentally “burnt out ” just so he can continue doing what he loves. “I’m never retiring him from doing things. I’ll just tell him not to compete in that degree of eventing again. He is 19 years old and has been constantly jumping since he was four years old. He has accomplished a bit, but he still has a lot of energy and a lot of fun doing it. However, I just do n’t believe he should be asked to gallop as much as is necessary for FEI events. He’s never a Thoroughbred, he’s more like a show jumper. And but for him, that ’s form of a bit. ”
While bravery is one of Rubens ’ best traits, Sara does n’t want his big heart to get him into trouble as he gets older. “ He’s very, very brave. He will carry me to a fence almost always because he’s very brave. With everything he has accomplished, all I can say is that I am really recognizing what is suitable for him to do. And the last thing I want is for him to drag me down and finally harm himself. ”
In the Dixon Oval, Sara Kozumplik and Rubens d Ysieux say success! US Sport image.
Keep an eye out for Rubens in the show jumping circle, and especially at his favourite event, Devon Arena Eventing, which is usually held at the Devon Horse Show at the end of May, even though we may never see him sailing around Kentucky or the Maryland 5 Star. You can hardly get on and I have to roll onto him from the side of the ring, the girls who work for me will tell you if you go there. He simply enjoys it. He believes that they created the present to appeal to him. He thinks it ’s wonderful. You can scarcely hold on to one area until you get him into the circle, where he is flawless. And I do n’t want to give him that, either. He truly enjoys that thing. ”
Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens D’Ysieux. Photo by Shelby Allen.
As for Sara, she’s no relinquishing the reins anytime soon. She says she’ll stay riding Rubens as long as he enjoys what they’re doing up. I’m going to continue to ride him in these little shows and jumps. It’s really fantastic for me, for my knowledge, and I really like that but I’ll know the minute it ’s very little, and then that ’s good. We’ll move on to the next issue, but right now, we’re managing everything. ”
Rubens ‘ first semi-retiree position was as a schoolmaster for Sara’s week-long horseback center for the Barbados Equestrian Association and the Trinidad & Barbuda; Tobago Equestrian Association ( more information to come ) ). When Sara had leased one of the animals for the job but was unable to arrive, Rubens rose up and took on the challenge.
“ He certainly was n’t supposed to be doing the clinic. I mean, I trust him to do that – he’s surely one that I would do that sort of thing with of, let them just trot about and things like that, just because I trust him implicitly, ” Sara said. “ I generally call him a carnival mare because he’s attractive. And I have a greater confidence in him than I do in these young children. It was n’t like it was extremely hard work. He enjoyed it. He is currently taking a little bit of a vacation. ”
Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’Ysieux. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sara will leave the launch box with Rock Phantom at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Celebration the following year while Rubens recuperates from his vacation. As you watch Sara go about completing the program in honor of the great white who did it only last year, pour one out in honor of her. Thanks for the thoughts, Rubens, and joyful retirement!
