Rather than growing out of my horse-crazy phase I have been
in all my life, I built upon it. I formed aspirations attached to the horse
industry, hoping that one day they would reach fruition. Having been around
horses my entire life, it became apparent to me that dreams do not come true in
the blink of an eye – especially not with horses. In order for them to become
reality, patience, hard work, and dedication are necessities.
I have grown up showing horses. I started out competing in playdays and 4-H shows,
showing my fair share of horses throughout my childhood. I was fortunate enough
to have a handful of trustworthy horses, but I also owned and showed several
bad apples: a pony that left my five-year-old (or near that age) self in the
dirt at a playday, an unruly Quarter Horse gelding who also thought I looked
better on the ground, a temperamental Quarter Horse mare that refused to do
anything other than in-hand classes, and a skittish Quarter Horse mare who
never even made it to the show ring. (I loved all of them despite these
unfortunate qualities).
I collected many ribbons and belt buckles during this time, but it was not
until I began showing Appaloosas at breed shows that I began to raise my goals
as the level of my competition heightened. However, despite some success, my
streak of bad luck continued. Although my first Appaloosa – Colby – was
talented, he was green and sometimes difficult to handle. During my first year
at the Appaloosa National Show and the Appaloosa Youth World Championship Show,
I cheered my friends on as they achieved National and World Championships.
Meanwhile, I never even made the finals.
My second Appaloosa – Byron – found a place in my heart no other horse has ever
encompassed, but he, too, was green. We found greater success than I had with
Colby, but his inexperience kept us from winning any titles. Nonetheless, I was
happy and loved what I was doing.
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Riding Byron, November 2014
Photo by Terri Cage |
Along with my passion for showing, I have been a devoted fan of horse racing
since I was eight years old. That equine-related infatuation has had its fair
share of ups and downs, as well. I have fallen in love with countless
racehorses over the years, rooting them to victory and experiencing
disappointment at their losses. Beginning with Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown bid
in 2004, I have dreamt of a Triple Crown winner. Year after year, I watched as
the drought continued.
My passion for both showing and racing endured the disappointments I faced, as
my love for horses and these sports overcame any frustrations I encountered. I
yearned for a Triple Crown winner like I worked for greater success in the show
ring, hoping that someday these dreams would materialize.
This year, everything came together.
This spring marked the end of my first year of college. Throughout the school
year, I had not managed to keep up with horse racing on the same level I have
in previous years, but my excitement for the Triple Crown did not waiver. When
American Pharoah captured both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, my
hopes – along with those of the remainder of the racing world – soared at his
chances to become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
My two “horse worlds” collided in late May, when I made a detour on my return
from a horse show in New Jersey, stopping in central Kentucky. Visits to some
of the most prestigious Thoroughbred farms in the world, as well as several
mornings spent with two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (one of my all-time
personal favorites) would have been more than enough. But an unforgettable
opportunity arose while I was in the Bluegrass: the chance to see American
Pharoah make his final preparations at Churchill Downs for the Belmont Stakes.
I was able to see the Triple Crown hopeful on three occasions during the week I
spent in Kentucky, two of which were mornings during which he breezed beneath
the twin spires. Once I saw the colt in person, my confidence in his ability to
end the Triple Crown drought only skyrocketed. I relished the opportunity to
see American Pharoah firsthand, almost convinced it was not real life each time
he galloped past me, each time he stopped to pose, each time his regal eyes
looked directly at me.
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American Pharoah breezing, May 26, 2015
Photo by Mary Cage |
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American Pharoah, May 30, 2015
Photo by Mary Cage |
It seemed as if my Triple Crown dream was finally coming true, but as the
Belmont neared, my showing dreams looked to be doing the opposite. My beloved
Byron came up with an injury that would prevent him from competing at
Nationals, which was less than three weeks away. My main worry centered upon
Byron but once I knew he would be just fine, I was overwhelmed with a sickening
feeling that I would not be able to compete at Nationals. Along with the
Appaloosa World Championship Show, the Appaloosa National Show is one of my
biggest stages on which I compete. I was disappointed to say the least.
But horse racing stepped in to save the day. I woke up on Belmont Stakes Day
like it was Christmas morning, headed to the barn to ride a few horses, and
then returned home, where I would be glued to the television, watching racing
coverage all day long. As post time for the final jewel of the Triple Crown
grew closer, my nerves ascended, but a strange sense of confidence in American
Pharoah remained.
In a moment defined by sheer joy, I watched the television screen as American
Pharoah accomplished what no horse in my lifetime ever had. There were ecstatic
tears, shouts, and smiles galore. I had dreamed of this moment before, but my past
imagining could not equate with this extraordinary reality.
While still on cloud nine from American Pharoah’s triumph, my showing situation
began to improve. Into my life entered Pinky, a multiple World and National
Champion Appaloosa gelding that I had known for several years. With the help of
some amazing people, including my parents, Pinky became mine.
However, Pinky and I had only two weeks before Nationals to begin becoming
accustomed to one another. The white-faced sorrel gelding had a reputation for
being selective in terms of riders he gets along with, but the two of us
quickly formed an understanding and bond.
It was not long before we arrived in nearby Fort Worth, Texas to compete with
the best of the best Appaloosa horses and equestrians the nation has to offer.
It was my third year at this particular horse show, but my first year competing
at Nationals as a non-pro – as I was now too old to be competing at the youth
level. Oddly enough, as I entered the ring for my first riding class of the
show (Novice Non-Pro Hunt Seat Equitation) a familiar feeling consumed me – the
same calm nerves I had felt prior to the Belmont.
Pinky and I entered the ring, where I rode the best pattern of my life. I
received an abundance of compliments on my ride, which boosted my confidence,
but the decision was still up to the judges. After rail work, I – along with my
competitors – lined our horses up along the rail as we awaited the placings
under all four judges.
It felt surreal when my number was announced first under three of the judges,
and second under the other – securing me with my first National Championship. I
felt as if I was watching from the stands as someone I knew won the class
rather than riding Pinky to the center of the arena to accept my trophy. I
attempted to take in the moment, but it was truly a blur. For the remainder of
the day, I received congratulations from an overwhelming amount of people. I
could feel myself glowing with happiness. It felt like my birthday.
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Pinky and I on pattern during Hunt Seat Equitation
Photo by Larry Williams Photography |
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Hunt Seat Equitation win photo
Photo by Larry Williams Photography |
Winning that National Championship would have been more than enough, but just a
few days later, I walked out of the arena with Pinky carrying my second
National Championship trophy after winning the Novice Non-Pro Showmanship. Considering
my first championship still had not sunk in, this one felt unreal as well. With
top finishes in the remainder of my classes, I was able to receive the Reserve
High-Point award in the Novice Non-Pro division. It was the show of a lifetime.
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Showmanship win photo
Photo by Larry Williams Photography |
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Reserve High-Point win photo
Photo by Larry Williams Photography |
This summer has certainly been the best I have ever had, all thanks to these
amazing animals. Horses have the ability to give me happiness like few other
things can, and the life-changing moments of this summer proved this. Thank
you, American Pharoah, for making the Triple Crown dream that I and other
racing fans have so long desired. And thank you, Pinky, for allowing what I
thought was a pipe dream not only come true, but exceed any aspirations I ever
had.
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