 January 2008
It seems like just yesterday
It seems like just yesterday I was trying
out my first horse. The minute I climbed up on
Cherokee’s back, I knew he was The One. He
certainly proved it as he put up with all of my weird
ideas. After attending a vaulting clinic, I decided
that Cherokee and I were going to become worldfamous
vaulters.
Luckily, my vaulting fantasy didn’t last
long
and I went back to showing at local 4-H shows.
After a few years, I decided it was time to up my
show career and try out new horses, even though I
wouldn’t part with my beloved Cherokee.
I never had much luck trying to find another
horse or pony to show. I never clicked with any steed
like I did with Cherokee. Then, my dreams came
true (at least I thought). My dad showed me a flyer
with a gorgeous white pony on it and told me that
he was all mine. When we went to pick up CN Silver Leprechaun,
I rode him and it
didn’t go so well. I just figured I was nervous
to ride him and didn’t know his buttons
yet, but after getting him home and riding him more,
I realized it wasn’t there and let
my sister have him. I lost interest after that and only
showed at the county fair a
couple years.
I really never thought I’d show again after 2005
and even quit 4-H, only riding
Cherokee on the trails now and again. I didn’t
even care about the new ponies my
sister brought home and didn’t want to go to the
barn because with my sister off at
college, I didn’t have a riding partner. Then,
when she came home and I watched her
ride RPRs Grand Illusion (Ty), whom she trained at the
University of Findlay, it was like
the roof had opened up and a light shone down on him.
I instantly wanted to be riding
him, so Meg let me try him and I fell in love.
However, more obstacles stood in my way.
Ty just needed a little more work and Meg
didn’t have another riding pony, so we looked for
another pony for me to show and found KBCs
Fancy Kid (Pokey). We had fun together, but after
we realized that Meg wasn’t going to have time
to
show and coach, we sent Pokey back home and I
took over Ty’s reins. After a rocky 2007, we’re
excited to see how our hard work will pay off in
2008.
I would like to thank everyone who has
contributed to my dreams. I would like to thank
Josie Murphy for allowing me to ride and show
Pokey—he’s wonderful! Also, thank you to
Melissa
Slayton for selling my sister my wonderfully
beautiful pony, Mom and Dad for allowing me to follow
through with my showing dreams,
and Stefanie Hunt for the much-needed encouragement to
actually go into my classes
and for all the help at shows and home. Last and most
importantly, thank you Meg for
giving up your pony sooner than you hoped and above all,
I hope I make you proud.
So get ready 2008, we’ve come to make our dreams
reality!
~ Love, Steph & Ty |
Pony Of The Americas Club, Inc.