Pony of the Americas Club, Inc.

December 2006

Brigitte Kennison

Brigitte’s career started 8 years ago at age 2, when we made a visit to Diana Peaton’s house to watch her cousin Sarah take riding lessons. At that point Brigitte was destined to ride. She started with CS’s Snap Dragon for leadline—that is where all the kids begin in Arizona. Then we begged Diana to sell Tough My Tough, she gave in and Toughy was ours. At the age of 4 Brigitte was off and riding by herself in 8&under walk-trot—Toughy even had a foal on her side. Brigitte was growing in leaps and bounds and learning so much she needed to move on. Our search for a new pony was driving us crazy but then we ended up at Winning Ways Ranch and fell in love with now Brigitte’s Best friend Gotta Look Sensational. What a team they have become over the years. They started off with a World Championship in 2003 8& under walk-trot western pleasure and Pole Bending. That same year Mazie (Gotta Look Sensational) was World champion Jr Horse Reining and 13-18 reining with Chelsea Bain riding. Wow, what an amazing pony—we new we had a winner. The next year, 2004 Brigitte continued with a World and International champion 8& under English with Res High Pt 8& under all around rider at the World and 3rd at the International. In 2005, Brigitte was going for it she wanted it all and so did Mazie. Under the guidance of Darren Vincent at Winning Ways Ranch, the best trainer ever if you ask Brigitte, she ended up with 5 International Championships and 6 World championships. She missed the highpoint by a few point because of Gymkhana they are not the fastest but they can keep up. Oh yeah don’t forget 2 years in a row ‘04-‘05 Mazie took home High-pt medium mare stake award. In 2006 we were not going to show so much because Mazie was going to have a foal. Things did not work out and Brigitte did not want to sit around. So, off to California Brigitte and Mazie go to tune-up. Her first year in 9-12 performance only because that is what they really like. Western Classic constantly on top, International we just wanted to place. Brigitte and Darren had different plans. Reserve International champion 9-12 Western Riding and International Champion 9-12 girls Horsemanship, and 8th in Sr Reining. What an accomplishment.

Brigitte has many thanks to give—
Nana & Papa- never thought I would go this far look at me now.
Dad- maybe you will make the next show.
Brother- I know you go for the girls.
Darren- I have learned so much and you are a great 2nd mom.
Tony- I will get you.
Deanne- You’re a great friend and a lot of help.
Danielle- Thanks putting up with me.
Danny- I still have the red wheel-barrel.

Now, I move forward with my mom and we will both start to show our Appy (Awesome I Am–aka Emma) we bought this year. Thanks Uncle Jamie and Dad for understanding what horses mean to me and mom.