For Jaccoma, Wadamur is her foray outside of her safe box. And it was Patrick Burssens who encouraged her to take the step outside. “I’ve always been known for riding very big, slow moving horses. But Patrick Burssens said to me, ‘Why not move outside your box and try something a little quick’.” When Jaccoma first saw Wadamur in Spain the four-year-old had only been ridden 10 times and was a very quick, but lovely mover. Hence, she decided to ride him. “And he spooked all over the place.”

Still, she bought the horse and hasn’t regretted it. In a way, he’s taken her back to her roots. “I grew up riding Thoroughbreds off the track. I think that’s really more what’s in my core to ride – something I can sit on and be effective but not too strong.” The partnership has not been without its challenges, though. “He was a hot, hot, hot four-year-old that bolted with me through the woods and took off with me. He’s very reactive but now the more physically through he is, the more mentally through he is.”

Jaccoma said Wadamur is rather astounding. At four, he could already do anything physically and she’s had to work to slow him down. “Last year I brought him out at Prix St. Georges and did two I-1s on a lark,” she said. “I did a couple I-1s and did the Pan Am Selection Trials with him at Gladstone. He was remarkable. I went to Gladstone on his third I-1 and then I didn’t show him since then. He made such great steps that I let him calm down in his training before stepping him back up.”

Jaccoma trains with Robert Dover and she said Dover agrees with her that Wadamur has talent. "Robert also believes the horse can go somewhere." Jaccoma said she’s aiming Wadamur for the National Championships and plans to move him up to Intermediaire II if all goes well this year. But her ultimate goal, she said, is simply to enjoy him. “The long-term goal is to make him the best horse I can, ride him the best I can and enjoy him. He’s a wonderful horse with a wonderful heart. I want to keep it fun for him. “