Heather Howland wasn’t entirely sure of her plans for I’m Lovin’ It when she bought him eight years ago.

At 14, Howland just wanted a horse she could ride in the children’s hunters and maybe dabble in the jumpers, so 7-year-old “Tulle”, a Thoroughbred gelding, seemed like a good match.

When Howland decided to start focusing on jumpers soon after, she had to keep the negative voices of those around her telling her Tulle would never be more than a 3’ hunter out. Ever since, the pair have been earning checks in the high amateur-owner jumper classes at nearly every show they attend, and proving that this 15.3 hand Thoroughbred can be competitive at that level.

“I knew he had more talent than just being a 3’ hunter,” said Howland. “He’s really amazing because he’s not the most talented horse and he’s not the most scopey in the classes that we do, but he has a huge heart and he tries really, really hard and he has the desire to win. I think that makes up for being not as scopey as his competition.”

Bill Robertson, a former U.S. Equestrian Team rider, found Tulle at an auction in Clovis, N.M., standing in knee-deep mud. He’d raced six times under the name Sir Tulle T. Robertson was impressed with his pedigree (Incredible T—Tulle Girl, Tom Tulle) and bought him to start as a hunter/jumper prospect.

When Howland found Tulle, she’d been in the market for several months for her next horse.

“I thought he was really ugly in all honesty because he was young and he was gangly,” she remembered. “When I first rode Tulle, I only rode him in a rope halter and lead rope. He was just so soft and so light and responsive.”

Howland started training with Robertson, learning how to handle a young Thoroughbred in the process. “He really taught me to be patient with a younger horse who wasn’t really educated,” she said of Robertson. “Tulle’s a horse that you have to be patient with. He has his own opinions. He’s kind of quirky and sensitive. Being a fresh, young Thoroughbred, he liked to buck and rodeo a little bit. That was fun for me to learn how to deal with that type of problem.”

More Than She Expected

Howland eventually started working with Shea Galloway at Someday Farm nearer to her home in Houston.

“When we started showing in the children’s hunters, there was another trainer that told Shea, ‘You know, you’re probably going to have to sell this horse fairly soon because this kid’s progressing and this horse is only going to be a 3’ hunter. He’s not going to make it down the lines and he’s not going to be competitive,’” she said.

Howland didn’t let that get her down, knowing Tulle to be a talented jumper after watching him free jump 4’ when she tried him.

She soon decided to try jumpers and eventually started training with Christian Rogge, who suggested a hackamore for Tulle that he still goes in today.

“He didn’t want to be very broke,” said Howland. “He does the whole racehorse thing—he likes to gap his mouth and chomp on the bit and not be adjustable, so that was very tough for a long time. That’s really what made the world of difference. He’s the most adjustable and the most happy in his hackamore.”

Over the years, the pair have come to an understanding in the ring and have been successful at the 1.35-meter level. “Tulle is sensitive and particular about what he likes about things,” said Howland, 23. “He’s pretty introverted with new people. As far as showing, he has such a businesslike attitude. When he was younger, he would get antsy and not stand at the in-gate, but now he can stand there and he’s really focused. People tell me, ‘Oh he’s so hot,’ but to me, he’s just sensitive. I just have to sit there quietly and he does his job.”

Howland, who will be graduating soon from the University of Houston with a degree in psychology and a minor in business, owns another off-the-track Thoroughbred, Redford, who she’s been dabbling with in the Take 2 Thoroughbred jumper classes in Texas.

“Cost-wise, I can’t afford a big, nice warmblood,” she said. “The Thoroughbreds, if you know where to look, you can get them cheap and bring them up.”

With the help of current trainer Barry Porter, Howland and Tulle have picked up good ribbons this season, including a win in the high amateur-owner jumper classic and the reserve high amateur-owner championship at Pin Oak Charity (Texas) in March, as well as two top-10 finishes in the $20,000 Blue Ribbon Prixs at the Blue Ribbon Summer Festival I and II (Texas) in June. In October, they won the 1.35-meter classic at the Britannia Farm Fall Horse Show (Texas).

Howland’s not sure what she’ll be doing after graduating, but plans to continue showing Tulle at the same level until he tells her otherwise. She enjoys dabbling in hunter derbies from time to time and hopes those will be an option for the gelding as he ages.

“I have to be careful with him because he’ll try really hard,” she said. “I think jumping a grand prix would be asking too much of him. I wouldn’t do that to him. I’m happy to be doing what we’re doing.

“It’s really nice since I’ve started riding well enough and consistent enough, he only goes and does money classes,” she added. “He knows his job, I don’t need to waste him practicing. I’m just really lucky to have him. He’s just a great partner and I’ve just been really lucky that along the journey of us growing up together that I somehow didn’t mess him up and that he somehow trusted me!”