Big Bend Doc Davis A legend in his own time

By Paula Hagen-Peterson
MDA Board Member

"Davey was the horse of a lifetime. He showed everyone that Morgans are extraordinarily capable of doing upper level dressage." Polly Smith Morgan Breeder.

The first time I saw Big Bend Doc Davis perform at the 1982 New England Morgan Horse Show I knew I was in the presence of a true athlete. His total balance, freedom of movement, suppleness and willingness to perform effortlessly made an instant impression. With Mona Sansoucy Gaudet, he appeared at that show for the next nine years before enormous crowds who turned out solely to see the incredible stallion. Those performances almost single-handedly introduced the Morgan world to dressage.

Bred by Connie Barton of Big Bend Farm in North Egremont, MA, Big Bend Doc Davis (Davey) was by Green Mtn. Doc Bird (Orcland Vigildon x Green Mtn. Darling) out of Big Bend Connie F (Windcrest Ben Davis x Seneta). When Mona saw his huge, floating trot she thought, "What a super dressage horse he would make." At the time, no one realized how prophetic that thought would prove to be.

Pedigree Davey was first shown as a three year old at the 1978 Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show where he was pinned Grand Champion Stallion, Jr. English Pleasure Champion and Jr. Pleasure Driving Champion. The pair competed through the 1979 New England show, but after watching films of European Grand Prix dressage horses, Mona had little doubt what course they should follow. Through the fall and winter of 1979, Mona began training with Lee Ferguson and soon began to understand the enormous challenge she had undertaken. In December of that same year, Mona also began working with Dr. H.L.M. Van Schaik. Often, his clinics would conclude with the encouraging remark, "Mona, you exhaust me!" But, he came to appreciate the natural abilities of Davey and told Mona, "You will never again have a horse as good as this. He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse."

"Mona and Davey were fabulous ambassadors for the versatility of the Morgan breed. The comradery they exhibited during their breathtaking performances represented the pinnacle of horsemanship." Jamie Jaeger Fiocco Morgan Owner

Following months of hard work, Davey was ready for his first dressage show. At that time, Morgan shows had no dressage division, so Mona's only choice was to show him in open competition. Dressage competitions in the U.S. encompass ten levels. While thousands of horses begin at Training Level, only a small percentage achieve the highest level, Grand Prix. Davey's first show didn't offer Training Level, so Mona rode First Level even though it called for more difficult movements. Her faith in his natural intelligence, willingness and athletic ability paid off, she earned a 63% in the test and second place.

As 1980 turned into 1981, Mona realized that to effectively compete, she would need the kind of training that was, then, hard to find in the U.S. She and Lee therefore headed to England where she honed her skills and, upon returning, moved Davey up to Second Level. In 1982, the pair rose to Third Level and at their first show, caught the judge's eye. Anxious to go home, he told the scribe, "Thank God it's the last ride." As Mona circled the ring he commented, "That's a cute little horse." Then, as the test progressed, he kept saying, "Gee, this is a nice looking little horse." When the test concluded, the scribe told him that the horse was a Morgan. He couldn't believe it and when she once again said that Davey was a Morgan he said, "Talk about blood out of a turnip."

Seventeen years later, Mona still laughs, "The turnip won the class." 1982 also marked the beginning of a nine-year love affair between Davey and the crowds at the New England Morgan Horse Show. The first year, she performed a Pas de Deux with Lee and Broadwall Jazztime, but after that it was Davey alone. Each year the crowds grew larger and the applause lasted longer.

"Davey had such enormous talent and made such an impression on the Morgan show world by making dressage exciting. He and Mona were made for each other." Philip Dubois Morgan Breeder

After competing successfully at Third Level, Mona felt Davey was ready for Fourth Level, but one thing stood in their way - flying lead changes. Often in dressage, this one movement can stymie a horse from moving up through the levels. Or, if they can master it, doing a change every three, two or one stride(s) proves difficult.

For the first time, Mona and Davey encountered a serious stumbling block. That summer, Mona again traveled to Europe, this time to Germany where she trained with Ingeborg Mohnson-Fischer and discovered how different a 16.3 hand German warmblood's trot was. After a week of daily three-hour rides on a lunge line she truly learned to direct the horse's movements with her seat and legs instead of her hands. "I realized the great strength it took to ride quietly, correctly and appear relaxed," Mona recalls. That trip to Germany allowed Mona to help Davey master the flying changes necessary for Fourth Level. Career Highlights

Over the next three years, she perfected the three and two tempi changes, the piaffe and passage and progressed through the Prix St. George, Intermediare I and Intermediare II levels. Within the open dressage circuit, Davey had also become a folk hero. Crowds gathered for his tests and asked about Davey's training, his future, and of course, his breed.

In 1986, Mona also married Dr. Michael Gaudet who became the ideal horse show husband, videotaping her tests and performances. The move to the highest level, Grand Prix, is difficult. As Mona remembers, "There is so much more collection. You have to piaffe and passage and (in 1988) the horse has to do 17 one-tempi changes. Davey knew piaffe and he had just learned passage, but still could not do the one-tempi changes." Then one day, Mona took Davey into an open field and, on a whim, asked for the one tempis. As if it had been something he had forever, Davey effortlessly executed thirteen consecutive one-tempi changes. From that day on, the one tempis were never a problem.

Although Mona states that every test they performed together was a milestone, there is little question but that 1988 marked the epoch of Davey's dressage career. At his first show at Grand Prix, the NEDA Freestyle Sweepstakes, Davey performed a Grand Prix Musical Kur. The announcer told the audience as he entered the ring that Big Bend Doc Davis was the only American-bred horse on the grounds that day. After two brilliant performances, Davey and Mona placed 2nd and 4th in the two freestyle events. As Mona stood in the arena waiting to receive their award, she felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Not only had Big Bend Doc Davis just become the first Morgan to reach Grand Prix, he had defeated several horses long-listed by USET for that year's Olympic games.

"Ten or twenty years later, you often don't remember a lot of horses, but Big Bend Doc Davis presents a very clear picture of correctness, showmanship, pride and a marvelous work ethic. He was one of the best horses of his era." Anne Rawle AHSA "S" Judge

The 1988 New England Morgan Horse Show is also held up as their single most brilliant performance. In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the pair performed flawlessly and the spectators literally shook the walls with their cheering and applause. Then, later that summer, fate stepped in. At his second Grand Prix show Davey stepped into a depression, tearing a suspensory ligament and ending his career. "He is such a stoic horse," Mona recalled. "I did not realize what had happened at the time." Davey was laid off from August to April of 1989. In April, Davey was ready to return to work, but Mona was not. She was pregnant with her first child Emily, who was born in December.

In 1990, Mona considered bringing Davey back, but knew that time was catching up with him. At 15, his legs might not be able to perform at the level demanded and she was unwilling to take the chance of further damage. It was time for Big Bend Doc Davis to retire. Then, in October, Davey began to colic after a morning hack. Dr. Tom Butera came immediately, but was still there at 2 a.m. the next morning. At 5 a.m., the decision was made to transport Davey to Tufts Veterinary School's Equine Clinic. When surgery was performed, Dr. Patricia Provost found a fatty tumor wrapped around his intestines like a free-swinging icicle, cutting off circulation and killing a large section of the intestine. Davey pulled through with flying colors. But by midweek, a second surgery was needed to remove a section of the mesentery. After that surgery, he rebounded and spent the winter recuperating at home.

In February 1991, Mona was asked to retire Davey that year in Northhampton. While Mona wondered if he would be able to perform, Rodney Gould knew in his heart that Davey only had to walk out in front of the crowd and the cheers would ring loud and true. So, on July 26, 1991, Davey was retired before the biggest crowd Mona had ever seen squeezed into the indoor arena - over 3000 people. From the moment they entered, the crowd began its thunderous approval of the pair, shouting, stomping, clapping and rocking the stands. Davey piaffed as Stars and Stripes Forever began, passaged as the crowd clapped to the rhythm, executed flawless flying changes and canter pirouettes, then thrilled the crowd with his effortless extensions.

As Philip Dubois placed a blanket of flowers over Davey, he and Mona were surrounded by those who had given such incredible support throughout the years - Mona's parents Kay and Armand Sansoucy, her brother Mike, trainer John Bennett, farrier Dennis Daubney, veterinarians Dr. Tom Butera and Dr. Patricia Provost and, of course, Mona's husband Dr. Michael Gaudet. As Mona led him around the ring, Davey drank in the applause. Not present that night were individuals who were also key to Mona and Davey's success. Foremost was Lee Ferguson who had played such an integral role, always encouraging them toward new goals, helping them reach new heights. Lee had died in November, 1988. Dr. H.L.M. Van Schaik died just two weeks after Davey's retirement.

Even though Davey had retired from the show ring, a full career as a breeding stallion still lay ahead. Over the next 10 years he made up for lost time. Today, his progeny include 8 stallions, 7 geldings and 15 mares. The oldest is 18 and the youngest is just a yearling. Many are also following in his footsteps as dressage horses and others compete in carriage driving.

"Mona and Davey's performances set a superb example for riders after her to follow. They will be remembered for decades for their brilliance and unmatched unity." Lyn Skillington Morgan Dressage Association Co-Chair

Looking back, Mona's only regret is that she wasn't a more educated, better rider. But, while someone else may have been able to take Davey to a higher level, no one could have made him more beloved to the Morgan world than Mona. Her dedication to showing him in open competition, continuous return to Northhampton to promote dressage to Morgan lovers and unfailing efforts to constantly improve her skills allowed Davey to become a symbol to countless individuals across the country.

On July 19, 1999, Mona bade farewell to Davey at the home where they had shared so many memories. Again, it was colic, but Mona knew that she could not put Davey through the trauma and pain of surgery a second time. She took him for a last walk around the pasture, to his favorite grazing spot. She told him how much she loved him, how much he would be missed, and how it was okay for him to leave. He died with his head in her lap. As it had been in life, it was just the two of them alone. When I asked Mona what one thing she would miss most about Davey, she said, "There is not just one thing I will miss. I miss all of him. His enthusiasm, his reliability, his wisdom, our special rapport. There was a lot more to him than met the eye." Big Bend Doc Davis was buried at their farm, the inscription on the headstone reads:

Big Bend Doc Davis
May 13, 1975 - Morgan Stallion - July 19, 1999
Unique in All the World The privilege to love him was mine.

The author lives in Elizabeth, Colorado, where she works as a freelance writer and rides her Morgan mare at Second and Third Level.

This article appeared in both the Fall 1999 Morgan Dressage Association Newsletter and in the November 1999 issue of The Morgan Horse

Big Bend Doc Davis A legend in his own time

By Paula Hagen-Peterson MDA Board Member

By Paula Hagen-Peterson
MDA Board Member