Frances Luse:
CLASS OF 1981
Katy High SchoolClass of 1981
Katy, TX
University of Texas - Liberal ArtsClass of 1988
Austin, TX
University of Texas - Liberal ArtsClass of 1988
Austin, TX
Frances's Story
Life
My family consists of two horses, two rescued dogs, and two cats! My mare is now 22 ! and the gelding is 7. With the gelding "Beau" I've shown Training Level Dressage in 2007 - qualified for the USDF Regional Championships and the Morgan Grand Nationals. He finished his Training Level performance certificate in October. With my mare, I've moved up to Third Level. Hopefully we'll get the scores for my Bronze Medal this Fall or early Spring 2008 Besides training we ride the trails, ride in parades and in general have fun. One thing I've learned (summer 2008) is that DO NOT cross low water crossings on horse-back... My mare was fine, leading the way in fact, but spooked at some debris, and backed right off the bridge into Salado Creek - it was a scary, cold, very wet dunk- thankfully we managed to get to the shore without injury (I've very glad I swim for exercise!) I lost neither my sunglasses nor my whip nor myhorse! in the mishap... The sad part was that we came out on the wrong side of the creek, so we had to cross over the bridge (low water crossing) again!
I was selected by the U.S. Dressage Federation as 2005 Region 9 (TX, OK, LA, MS, AR) GMO (local club) Volunteer of the Year. I received an award at the national convention in December in Burbank, CA. I've cut down the volunteering since 2005 as I'm increasingly busy riding and showing. I won a scholarship from the Morgan Dressage Association for 2007 and am putting together my application to become a dressage technical delegate.
In my "spare time" (ha, what's that!) I garden - and take photos. I've started an sports photography business (equestrian focus) -Reit Sport Photography (reitsport means equestrian sports in German). The business is in it's second year - I'm booked for more shows in 2008 than in 2007 so things are looking good. I've sold a few photos to the national magazine "The Chronicle of the Horse" as well the USDF Connection and to local Texas equestrian newspapers.
And = VERY BIG HAPPY DANCE HERE = as of July 31st, I'm retired from the Army after 24 years, 11 months and 25 days. Thankfully, I avoided war wounds. But after all those years, the knees have had it with running... I'm back to swimming and biking for exercise (hmmm that's what I did for exercise in highschool). I'm back i...Expand for more
n school because I need to decompress after so many years of high stress. I love the State of Texas and the Hazelwood act... Can we say a (nearly) free education, even a second one? I'm using the left brain this time with a major in Mathematics. I'll teach math in either middle or high school, because with my retirement and disability, I can finally afford to! My dressage trainer wishes I wouldn't because with a really good paying job I could afford Horse #3 - an imported German Warmblood to really kick a$$ at shows...
Military
Joined in 1982 to get $$ for college. Served 3 years in Central America (Military Intelligence) and returned to college. Joined the US Army Reserves as a (well paying!) part-time job. Went Active Guard Reserve in 1989 because Texas' teachers' salaries were pitiful. After 1982-1995 as an enlisted soldier (rose to rank of Sergeant First Class in the veterinary services), I applied for a direct commission. Was appointed as a Medical Service Corps officer on June 9th, 1995 - as a "butter bar". Pay was still better than teaching, so... the reserves became a career - besides I had always been a very good leader/mentor. Was selected for Major in January 2007, but declined the promotion so that I could retire in July 2007 - the Army was going to transfer me back to a Combat Support Hospital (been there, done that got 3 T-shirts! - served in them for 10 years) and change my specialty from logistics to human resources (adjutant - just say a Colonel's flunky) I loved being a logistician - won the Chief of Staff of the Army Supply Excellence Award two years in a row for the 364th Field Hospital and the 94th General Hospital. I was not deployed to Desert Storm nor to OIF/OEF. I loved my last assignment -in San Antonio, serving with the United States Army South (USARSO), in the Medical Exercise Branch. I was responsible for the logistics (budget, ordering, transportation) of about a million dollars worth of medical supplies and equipment to 12+ countries in Central/South America for humanitarian missions each year. GW Bush visited one of our missions in Guatemala in March 2007 - it made the national news!
Retired effective August 1st, 2007 and am LOVING IT. Have done well - Four meritorious service medals, 6 Army commendation medals, and other awards.
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