Meet Roman, a 9-year-old Holsteiner x Warmblood grey dappled gelding. This gentle giant standing at 17hh is owned, ridden, and adored by Payton Szabo. Roman was bred in Germany and has some of the top Show Jumper bloodlines running through his veins, as well as a very successful father. Roman lives at Shadyside Farms in Houston, TX where the pair trains with Erin Jarvis.
Payton shares her favorite memory with Roman, “It was my first ride with him during trials. He was such a sweet, calm boy even at his young age, and didn’t even require a lunge when it was around 30 degrees out. He was a big step up for me, yet took such good care of me. We bonded very quickly and I’m so thankful for the love we have for each other.” Payton shared with us that it was Roman’s personality that caused her to immediately fall in love, however, his scope had her quite shocked as she had never ridden such a nice horse. He had only been imported from Germany 3 weeks before she tried him and was adjusting fairly well. “We took him back to the barn to try him for 3 more days and decided he was the one!”
Payton has owned Roman for a year and a half now. It was perfect timing, she came across him right at the end of a lease – who she adored. She shares that she was looking forward to finding a new horse to push her boundaries with, and move up…she came across Roman at GSW when he was showing. They found out he was for sale by Clear Round Show Jumpers and went out to try him a week later.
This gentle giant absolutely loves children, he seems to know they are little ones and is especially interested and careful when near them. He loves miniature horses too and even has what we call his “girlfriend” named Patches at the barn who is a miniature Paint.
Roman loves all things food, he does not discriminate against any food type! His go-to treats are apples and oranges. He also gets the occasional bite of snack around the barn such as Goldfish or Cheeze It.
“I got into horses at a very young age. I had always loved horses and would watch any horse-related movies or shows I could find. Every birthday wish of mine as a kid was to ride a horse, so my parents would take me to a trail riding facility until I finally started lessons when I was around 5 years old, I’m 16 now. My favorite thing about owning and riding horses is the therapeutic escape it gives. Anytime I’m riding it is as if I’m able to put aside any stresses I have and just relax.”
