MPB Dressage - Matt Baillargeon

11/11/2025

Today was a happy day. Patti Swan collaborated with Charlotte Trentleman and Esprit (Carol and Elizabeth) to have Charlotte come to Maine to judge a schooling show at Esprit and clinic rides at both Esprit and Meadowbrook.

Amanda’s crew from Hidden Brook took over the ring on Sunday and had multiple students ride with Charlotte, today a few of the MEC people had the opportunity to get a ride in, before Charlotte left for FL.

I had the opportunity to ride Roberta’s horse, Gotti, today. Although he’s not mine, we have a long history together, and he feels the most like home to me right now.

I truly smiled today. Not a fake smile, but a real smile. Charlotte was able to help me with so many things that built right off from what Lendon had me work on a few weeks ago.

Thank you all who supported this fundraiser. I am so grateful to everyone.

11/09/2025

Beyond grateful for this opportunity. Receiving this news tonight, brought me to tears. After so much loss, I am reminded that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you, Zen Elite Equestrian Center 🌟

𝐖𝐎𝐖! We were completely overwhelmed by the hundreds of riders who poured their hearts and souls into their Zen Elite Shining Star Grant applications this year 🧡 So overwhelmed, that our planned 20 recipients quickly became 31… and if we could have chosen every single one of you, we truly would have.

To our newest ⭐️ Shining Star Grant recipients: Congratulations!!! 🎉 Go forward, shine bright, spread positivity, and chase your dressage dreams! We hope this support helps you on your journey.

To everyone who applied: please know that our team read every word you wrote. Your dedication, dreams, and perseverance are seen, valued, and appreciated. Don’t give up. There will be more opportunities in the future, so keep showing up, keep applying, keep riding, keep loving your horses, keep believing.

Until then… be ZEN. 🧘‍♀️🧡🧡

(𝑃𝑆 － 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑙! 🙂）

11/06/2025

It’s been weeks, and I still find myself missing you in quiet ways. These new photos capture so much of who you were — your strength, your softness, and that spark that made everyone fall in love with you.

I’ve cried every day since you’ve been gone, but seeing these moments brings both tears and comfort. They remind me of all the love, laughter, and life you brought into mine.

I wish I could go back — just once more — to feel that connection again. You were truly one of a kind.

Forever my Freedom. 🕊️🤍

Thank you Susan J Stickle Equestrian Photography LLC for uploading these photos for me - so I could purchase more. I am so grateful.

11/01/2025

🔥 Two Special Hanoverian Geldings Looking for Their Next Partner! 🔥

🐴 Reflection HHF (Rascalino x Wiktoria) — 2019 black gelding with 4 whites and a blaze. Handsome, talented, and ready to shine.

🐴 Rogue HHF (Rascalino x Daphne HHF) — 2021 chestnut gelding with all the charm and presence you could want in a young prospect.

Both bred and owned by their breeder: Hawk Hollow Farm, these boys have been with us here in Maine for a bit. After a break following the Meadowbrook barn fire, they’re back in full work and feeling fantastic.

Both are quality through and through — lovely movers with kind, willing minds. Whether you’re looking for a horse to develop or one to enjoy every day, they check all the boxes. ✅

🎥 Videos coming soon!

Their breeder is motivated to move them before winter, so if you’ve been waiting for the right one — this might be it. Message us for details and updates!

10/24/2025

Yesterday, Furi and I went to WEC to have a lesson with Susanne. She is such a fun mare.

This evening, Lendon arrived and I had my first lesson. I rode Gotti - and I’m really happy with how he’s going, after such a relaxed last few months.

Keeping myself busy with projects. Thank you to Zac, Becca, Lauren, and Trisha for the above and beyond help to prep for Lendon. Things are starting to come together!

10/22/2025

Chestnut 2021 Gelding
Rascalino x Daphne HHF (DaCaprio)

Black 2019 Gelding
Rascalino x Wiktoria (Wolkentanz l)

These two kids will have formal sale ads soon.

10/22/2025

Thank you to Cassidy for cleaning up Freddy’s shoes a bit.

Freddy wore leather pads - and I used my engraver to create this on a pad Cassidy gave to me.

It’s hard to believe tomorrow is one week without him. It still doesn’t seem real.

I’m thankful to all who have helped me this last week.

10/17/2025

Ride times for Sunday!

10/16/2025

🌟 Event Update: Meadowbrook Benefit Horse Show 🌟

We currently have 20+ riders signed up — and we still have room for more! If you haven’t entered yet, there’s still time to join.

Even if you’re not riding, we encourage everyone to come out and support Matt and Meadowbrook! 💚

Lunch will be held midday (official schedule with test times coming soon!!) featuring pizza generously donated by The Village Tie Up, for sale at $2 a slice!

During lunch, we’ll also be holding our raffle drawing, including a 50/50 raffle! 🎟️ Tickets will be for sale all morning at $2 each or $20 for an arm’s length!

We’ve received so many generous donations for our raffle prizes, including themed baskets, gift cards, a handmade quilt, and more! Here’s a sneak peek at a few of them 👇

Before the show resumes, we’ll have a special demo Pas de Deux by Klaire Schrepper and Amelia Frumiento — you won’t want to miss it!

The rest of the show will continue afterward.

Thank you so, so much to everyone who has donated and supported this event. We can’t wait to see everyone on Sunday! 😊❤️‍🩹

10/15/2025

This morning I said goodbye to my heart horse, Freedom — Freddy.

There aren’t enough words for what he was to me—but I owe it to him to try.

Freddy came into my life on October 5th, 2021, right when I was at rock bottom. My divorce had just been finalized the same week he arrived. I was numb, angry, lost. Then this big, complicated, dramatic, beautiful horse showed up—with the name Freedom already his. Looking back, I think he found me—not the other way around.

He pulled me out of darkness in a way no person ever could. He gave me something to fight for again. He showed me that dreams I thought were dead were actually still alive—and waiting. He took me to Grand Prix. A level I used to watch in awe as a kid and thought, “That will never be me.” But with him—it was.

He wasn’t easy. Not for a single day. He tested everything about me—my patience, my courage, my soul. But Gosh, did he give everything back. He made me feel powerful, trusted, chosen. He made me feel enough. He was the most difficult horse in the barn and the most loyal one I will ever know.

In March of 2023, when he had colic surgery, he already proved he was a miracle. He fought hard and came back stronger, returning to Grand Prix work like nothing could stop him. I thought I had more time. We always think we have more time.

Most recently, he gave one more gift—he helped my assistant Zac earn his USDF Silver Medal and his first Gold Medal score. Freddy didn’t just shape my life. He changed others too. Zac loved him deeply, and we are hurting together.

Thank you to Dr. Kate from Oxford Hills Veterinary Hospital for coming so quickly, and for sending us to Myhre Equine Clinic. It was there we found out he had ruptured. There was no saving him. I had to make the worst decision of my life. I had to set my best friend free.

Losing my barn to a fire less than a month ago broke me.
Losing Freddy today shattered what was left.

He was my constant. My anchor. My heart. My monster. My once-in-a-lifetime.

Freddy, I don’t know how to do this without you. I don’t know how to walk into the “barn” and not hear you scream. I don’t know how to breathe through this. But I will—because you taught me how to fight. And I will carry you for the rest of my life.

I love you, Freedom. Thank you for everything.
Until I see you again—wait for me.

10/14/2025

Slowly….finding my spark

Thank you Roberta, for the opportunity to train your horses. Bella and Gotti are really all I’ve been riding - and I’m looking forward to starting the others back, now that everyone is home.

The stall area in the indoor - is alllmmmoooossstttt done - and I’ll work on the tack room tomorrow so I can organize lesson tack.