June
2009
From POAs to Texas A&M University…
Wow, am I seriously about to age out?! I never thought
that my youth POA career would come to an end so soon.
But, the more that I think about it, the more I realize
how much I have been through. All the headaches, heartbreaks,
losses, and wins have amounted to one great experience.
Now,
please bear with me as I ramble on about my involvement
in POAs over the past ten years. I started out showing
a crazy, hardshipped POA mare. Let’s just
say we always won color, but I always fell off in jumping. Even though she wasn’t
the best show pony, she introduced my family and me to the Pony of the Americas
breed and taught me to always get right back on again. Next, we bought M&N’s
R Diamond Studs from Mack and Nancy Kincheloe. On “Dude” I learned
how to ride western and competed in just about every event. He was truly an “all
around” pony, and took great care of me and eventually my little sister
Kelly in the show ring. After “Dude” was Gold Masterpiece, who we
purchased from Dean and Jan Rodgers. His name says it all; he is truly a work
of art. “Cowboy” and I made a great team, placing top ten at the
2006 International in several classes, including Reserve Champion in Senior Western
Pleasure. In addition, we were 2nd in the Texas Top Ten in 2006. He was a western
pleasure machine. Even though we had our moments, he was always there for me
to give it his all in the end. 2007 was kind of a rough year. I could not ride “Cowboy” anymore
due to an injury, so during the summer Bonnie and Dave Morris let me show 2D’s
Cool Look at the Mid-America Regional. For the 2007 International
Show, Pat Burton allowed me to show his stallion, Investment
Asset. I achieved many top ten placings with both of
those ponies, and am truly grateful to have been able
to show them!
Finally, there is Salute Taris Ferrari.
Yes, his name is difficult for almost anyone to pronounce,
but he is truly one in a million. He was born at our
farm, and we raised and trained him. He is sired by Santee
Noches, and that is who he seems to take after. As a
three year old, “Ziggy” took me to seven
top ten finishes at the 2008 International Show. Together,
we have also won numerous classes at regional and state
shows. Most recently, at the 2009 Mid-America Regional
Show, we won 1st in Girls 13-18 Horsemanship, 2nd in
Girls 13-18 Showmanship, 2nd in Girls 13-18 English Equitation,
1st in 13-18 Hunter Under Saddle and 1st in Junior Hunter
Under Saddle. I am truly blessed to show such a talented
pony with such a willing attitude and a big heart. He
may be awkward and have a giant fear of water and trail
courses, but he is the pony that I have always dreamed
of showing.
Now
on with the thanking! First of all I would like to thank
God for blessing me with a great family, friends, and
ponies. Next are my parents. Words cannot describe how
thankful I am that you have given me this awesome opportunity.
Mom: thank you for driving all 5 of us (plus 4 ponies
and 3 sets of everything) all across the country, even
amidst our lovely singing and fighting. Thanks for coaching
me from the sidelines and packing up outfits before every
show. Most of all, thank you for being so supportive
and positive. Dad: Wow, I don’t know
what we would do without you being at shows to unload, unhook the trailer, and
reload all of our stuff. Thank you for always making sure SEVERAL times that
I knew the pattern and for always being at my side before and after a class.
Thanks for putting up with all of our girly nonsense and yes, it IS a fashion
show! In my opinion you are the best show parents in the breed! Oh, I almost
forgot; thank you both for funding EVERYTHING!!! Sarah: Well, I know that we
aren’t the best of friends at shows and I can be bossy, but you are a great
competitor and are always there for me when I am down. Thanks for dragging me
into football games and shaving cream fights; without you forcing me to get up
and have some fun, I would be a grump the whole time. Kelly: Thanks for putting
up with my attempts to coach you and keeping me entertained at shows. You are
so helpful and can always make me smile! You two are the best sisters I could
ask for and it has been so much fun to show with both of you! I’m
going to miss it.
I
would like to thank all my trainers, especially Shannon
Napier, who have taught me so much about training and
showing. I would also like to thank all the breeders
of all the great ponies I have shown. Thank you to everyone
who has helped us out in the POA world; we would be lost
without you. Thank you to the Buskirks, Lindseys, Hermuses,
Rodgers, Bunns, Gees, Hamptons, Barringers, Knoxes, Dingers,
Crawford-Goss, Kristen Fears, and Alison Muzyka, for
befriending us. Thanks to the Skinner, Farrington, Koehler
and Furlong families who have stuck with us since the
beginning. All of you are so much fun and have made showing
worthwhile! Thanks to everyone else that I have grown
close to over the years-you know who you are! Also, thanks
to Kurt Nelson at Innovative Images for a fun and memorable
cover page photo shoot! Most of all, I would like to
thank all the ponies that have made all my wildest dreams
come true. Without all of them I would probably have
no joy in life….and would be emo.
Well,
I guess that’s it. I thought this article would
be really short, but I had so much to write about! Hope
everyone has a great 2009 show season! Good Luck!!
Margaret
Woodley
Aubrey,
Texas |
Pony Of The Americas Club, Inc.