Marysmoonshinebandit and Caroline Boucher topped The Patriot 1D with a time of 15.496 seconds within the Will Rogers Coliseum, adding $10,966 to the gelding’s ledger and putting him back on the map.
“He has the heart of a warrior,” Boucher said of ‘Bandit.’ “He was trained by Tiany Schuster, and she always loves easy and honest horses. He’s so easy—I have a lot of fun. He wants to turn but doesn’t want to knock, so I just need to look to my spot in the turn on him.”
Find full Patriot 5D results here.
Focusing the majority of her time on training futurity and derby hosesfuturity horse trainer, Boucher stepped outside of her normal program when she was asked to tune Bandit up. His owner had become busier running the family business, and they entrusted Boucher with finding new owners for the gelding.
“We’re putting him back on the map,” Boucher said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden a finished horse. I have to remind myself to ride him with one hand.”
The 10-year-old is sired by Justaheartofawarrior and out of Merridoc mare Bar Lotta Merri. According to Boucher, he’s a horse that loves to turn but hates to knock.
“To the first he’s stiffer, so I look past the barrel I’ll get to my spot and turn fast,” Boucher explained. “If I sit too soon, he won’t knock, he will slow down and [short step] around. One the second and third, he’s a horse that likes to be shaped around.”
To make the win even sweeter, the pair won the American Contender Qualifier and Boucher earned an invitation to the 2026 Central Regionals.
Boucher is originally from Quebec, Canada, and currently resides in Whitesboro, Texas. The 47-year-old trainer thrives on the challenge of bringing up futurity horses, competing in events including the Pink and Ruby Buckles.
