When you hear the saying, “May the Force Be With You”–Darth Vader from
Star Wars probably comes to mind. However, for five year-old Cheyenne
“Scooter” Augsburger, her only thoughts are about her lovable and kind
equine partner, The Black Force. Cheyenne’s mother, Lori Collier
Augsburger, says that the 21 year-old, black gelding is a perfect match for her daughter.
The Black Force lives at Pinetree Quarter Horses in Loxahatchee, Florida where Scooter’s father, Andrew Augsburger, is the resident trainer. “When Force is turned out in his big pasture, he plays like a young horse,” Lori says. “But when he is on the end of a leadline, he is the gentle horse everyone would want for their horse crazy little girl.”
A multiple Congress winner, The Black Force is known in the industry for raising several youth exhibitors including Ty Paris, Nya Kearns, Blair Miller, Kelley Andersen, Julia Vallery, Kelli Thompson, and Aubrey Lynn Wilson. He has amassed over 500 AQHA points and several superiors in the Trail and Showmanship and placed Top-10 at the 2003 AQHA World in the Senior Trail under the guidance of Tommy Sheets. The 1990 black gelding was also raised by GoHorseShow.com’s senior writer Laura Gilmer.
In 2008, Tommy Sheets called Cheyenne’s father, Andrew, a former assistant, to ask if they would be interested in having Force for Cheyenne– since he knew she was ready to step up to a good, safe
horse. Of course, Lori and Andrew jumped at the chance to have him for their young
daughter.
Cheyenne is now five and a half years-old, but she has been riding horses since she was big enough to sit in front of Lori and Andrew in the saddle. “She used to fall asleep in the saddle as a baby,” Scooter’s proud mom said. She has been riding Force for two years and he is the perfect horse for her. “Force has taught Cheyenne how to win and loose graciously; has taught her how to focus on something she really wants to achieve; has taught her the responsibility of caring for an animal that gives his all for her when they are together; and most of all, he has taught her confidence in something that she really can excel in.”
This past December, the Florida Quarter Horse Youth Association held a costume class at a show before Christmas. Lori said that they dressed Force up as a present; Cheyenne was an elf and her dog, Chevy, was dressed as Santa Claus. Her mother says that was one of her daughter’s favorite experiences so far in her young show career. Also, this kindergartner’s parents are proud of the two Big A Circuit Championships that Cheyenne won for the Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle and Crossrails in July of last year. Most recently, the duo was the All-Around Walk Trot Champ for the prestigious Gold Coast and Gulf Coast Circuit in January. (Photo © Shane Rux)
It was quite a challenge to interview this horse obsessed little girl. She was busy riding Force when GoHorseShow.com tried to ask her some questions. Luckily, we were able to finally catch her out of the saddle. Scooter told us that she thought, “Riding is fun. I like that Force loves me and always puts his ears up every time I walk past him.”
This confident little girl also says that she wants to be a horse vet and that her future goal in the show ring is to show Force in the loping classes. Scootie has a great support system from her proud grandparents, Doris and James Collier, as well as from youth and amateur customers in the barn. Grandma Doris says that she loves to be a part of watching another child grow up in this wonderful world of Quarter Horses. Both of Cheyenne’s parents grew up showing horses and Lori just won the High Point Amateur Hunter Under Saddle title for the third year in a row with her horse, One Hot Kat.
“Force takes care of her, and I truly feel that he loves her. He knows her when she comes to get him and he is just the best,” Grandma Doris said. “Every time she learns something new with Force, she wants her grandfather and me to come watch. She is just amazing and so much fun.”
As for the little black horse with a big heart, Force has finally found his home for life and will live out his days in Florida with a loving little girl by his side. We’re not sure who is luckier, Force or Cheyenne.
