July
2009
Kylie Horrocks
My show career started at a very young age but has been
dominated by three exceptional ponies; Midnight Stealer,
Lil Murphy Malone, and Miss Coppertone. Each of them
has given me new experiences and taught me new tricks
along the way.
I started riding Midnight Stealer in 8 & under after
my pony Baby had an upper respiratory infection and foundered. We purchased him
in Oklahoma at the International and he was the first in line to start teaching
me how to really ride. Stealer taught me everything from games to jumping and
was always patient with me no matter how much he hated to run. However, once
I got into 9-12 I needed an upgrade from Stealer to something that was going
to be more competitive.
Murphy was just the pony I needed. I remember the first
showmanship class I ever won with him. My mom of course
was crying whether it was because Murphy and I had
finally clicked and she wouldn’t have to buy
me new pony or if it was because I won and that I am still not sure about. From
then on Murphy and I began doing everything, going everywhere, and eventually
becoming members of the trailer race! During my last two years of 9-12 we went
from Oklahoma to New York and everywhere in between and went to almost 50 shows
each year. It was one of the best experiences of my life! Those last 2 years
I achieved everything that I could have ever wanted to. I had multiple state,
regional, and national championships all due to me parent’s willingness
to help me achieve my goals. However, 9-12 was over in the blink of an
eye and then there was the big 13-18.
After a few years in 13-18 I began to loose interest
because no matter what I did it seemed that I just
couldn’t compete. But
the spring of 2007 changed everything! I was given the opportunity to ride Miss
Coppertone for the Chestnut family in order to sell her. I wanted her from the
moment I started riding her and I begged my dad almost everyday! My begging must
have really gotten on my dad’s nerves because at the Eastern Classic Devon
Knipp handed me a note saying “CONGRADULATIONS” and Copper was mine.
I have been riding Copper for the last 2 years and she has proven to be everything
that I could have ever asked for and so much more! I can’t wait to see
someone else riding her next year and accomplishing all of their goals with her
as well.
It is so sad to think that my P.O.A years are over,
but I have made life long friends through this organization
and I am thankful for everyone of them. I would also
like to especially thank the Pennington family for
allowing me to ride Loony (KS’s Half Moon Twist) in games for my last
year. I have had so much fun with her so far this year and she proves that age
doesn’t matter!
Finally, I would like to thank my mom and dad because
without them none of this would have been possible.
I love you so much more than you could ever know!
With
Love,
Kylie Horrocks |
Pony Of The Americas Club, Inc.