It is estimated that the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to dine out, and telephone lines record their highest traffic, as sons and daughters everywhere take advantage of this day to honor and to express appreciation of their mothers.
On behalf of Mother’s Day, we asked several exhibitors how their mothers have shaped their horse show careers over the years. Most mothers were described as cheerleaders, grooms, truck drivers, vets, teachers, best friends and confidants.
One quote that reminds us of the dedication of horse show moms is by author, Mildred B. Vermont. “Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.”
GoHorseshow talked to competitors whose moms were very influential in their show career–some who have passed away, some who are directly involved in their show careers, and others who double as their trainers as well as their moms. Everyone credits their mothers of helping shape them into the person they are today.
We wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day!
AQHA Amateur Stefanie Pullin
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I wish you were here to celebrate with me. My mom was an amazing individual. I realize now how spoiled I was–she did everything for me. She would find the right horse, find the right outfit, find the right horse shows to go to, find ways to make sure I was the best I could be. Although she is not here in person anymore, I still feel her and think of her everyday. I can still hear her constructive criticism concerning horse shows and life in general. Love you, Mom!
All-Around Trainer Reid Thomas
My mom, Charlene Thomas, is my unsung hero, my best friend, and the reason for any greatness I achieve. Mom was the ‘Super-Mom’ Show Mom! She was never in my grill about my performance, never questioned my trainers, and always offered a grounded voice of reason through my years as a youth kid.
After college, it was the question of law school or showing horses. Mom and Grandma encouraged me to follow my passion and forget the office job. Later that year, my mom and dad divorced and mom turned to me. I helped her get her passion of a therapeutic riding center for disabled children up and running. Today her center and non-profit helps over 100 children ride each week!
This Mother’s Day isn’t different than any other day in my brother’s or my life…we are so blessed and thankful each day to have the most amazing woman in our lives we can call Mom!
Leading Breeder and Exhibitor Kristen Galyean
We had so many fun times and those are some of my best memories just getting in the truck with mom and going down the road to the next show. I could always count on her to be happy to get up in the middle of the night with me for all those late night/early morning rides at the Congress. I owe every bit of my success to her, because without my mom I would have never accomplished any of it.
I do have one funny story though…. My very first trip out to Arizona Sun Circuit, my mom, Leigh Berryhill and I flew out to Phoenix and none of us knew the way to the fairgrounds so my mom and Leigh had a real bright idea of following a horse trailer we saw after pulling out from the airport. They just assumed it had to be headed to the same place we were. With me just being 12 years-old, I didn’t argue with them. So away we went following a random trailer through Arizona assuming we would be at West World in no time. Wrong! We followed it for a good 45 min and soon realized we were extremely lost when it turned off on some side road. It definitely wasn’t one of the brightest ideas we’ve ever had, but it made for a great memory. We still laugh about it today!
AQHA Amateur Kelly Kay Elvrum Johnsrud
I am so happy to honor my mom, Kay Elvrum, on Mother’s Day. It is because of her hard work and dedication that my dreams have been possible. My mom started her Mary Kay business when I was 7 years old and developed it into a multi-million dollar business. Through her hard work and dedication, she became the first Million Dollar Director and the first National Sales Director from our state. I know that her number one motivator was to allow me to pursue my dreams with my show horses and never have to worry about the cost. She didn’t make it to all of my shows because of her busy work schedule but we always went to the big shows in style! I learned to always set my goals based on what I was willing to work for rather than what we could afford. She inspired me to always think big, expect the best, and work with purpose and dedication. Every major accomplishments I have earned with my horses has been a family victory for us. I am grateful for how my mom always put my dreams before her own and used her business to make the impossible possible for me. She inspired me to follow in her footsteps and operate my own Mary Kay business so that the legacy may continue. We both drive Pink Cadillacs now!
AQHA Youth Exhibitor Cydney Benes
Mother’s day means a lot to me because I love spending time with my mom and grandmother, Rita, who totally supports my horse shows and sport. They has played a huge role in me showing horses. Ever since I was a little girl showing little ponies, my mom has been there for me supporting and cheering me on. My favorite time with my mom was when I won the all American Quarter Horse Congress. My mom and I were so ecstatic. It was her horse I won on, so, she was very happy.
AQHA Youth Exhibitor Janet Brooks
Being asked to write about my mom and her influence on me and my horse showing might be a bigger task then I thought it would be. It’s pretty hard to type and laugh uncontrollably at the same time. My mom threw me into horses, and I fell happily head over heels. Most moms look their child right in the eyes and in a stern but loving voice say, “Do your best and I will support you. You’ll do great!” As sweet as this is, this isn’t my mom. A more familiar speech for me would be “Go kick some hiney! Take deeps breaths and don’t freak out!”
One of the best memories I have with my mom just happens to fall during Congress. My mom showed and her horse spooked, unfortunately, she didn’t get called back. On her way out, she looks at me and says, “bummer, but I really need to get out of the chaps, my legs are going numb.” I had my show attire on, and I looked down and making the connection I replied, “Mom, remember how I said my chaps are loose, well I believe you have mine on and I have yours on.” Her legs were numb in the show pen, and my chaps were sliding around on me, but it really took away some of the stress of our first Congress and gave us a good laugh. We are a unique pair and best friends. I thank God each and every day that my mom and I decided to show horses because, without this, I have a feeling that we would have never known about the great friendship that was waiting.
AQHA Exhibitor Katie Grossnickle
My mom has played a huge role in my horse show career. She grew up riding horses and my two older brothers wanted nothing to do with horses, so, when I came along, she was determined that I was going to like horses too. After my first show when I was six years-old, I came out of the class and said I want to do this the rest of my life.
Ever since then, my mom has always been by my side and of course my biggest fan. We have been through so much together, and I have loved every part of it. She said that when I went off to college that she was going to start showing more again, but that never happened. She said it just didn’t seem right that I wasn’t there. She now has a young green horse that she is going to start showing in the Trail. I can’t wait till she starts showing again, so, I can be her biggest fan too. I have a really great mom!
AQHA Select Amateur Allison Ham
We had the best horse show mom growing up! My sister, Amy, my brother Murray (Griggs) and I grew up on a farm in Southwest Missouri – mainly crop land and cattle. I’m sure our parents, Loren and Avanell Griggs sacrificed a lot so that we could show and have the best horses possible. Mom, especially drove many, many miles to shows. She was a real stickler about grooming. She never showed herself, but always pitched in to help us out.
One year Mom decided that Murray had a good enough pleasure horse to qualify for the Youth World. Back then only the top 10 in the nation were invited to show. Everyone else qualified through the state. So, that took an extra amount of shows and miles. Murray was third in the nation in the pleasure with more than 300 points. When she set her mind to something she was going to see that if at all possible it happened!
Even after Murray started training professionally, she would spend many hours in the barn. Now, she especially enjoys watching Connor (her granddaughter) show. Carson (her grandson) even showed a few times this year too! Also, she was on hand to watch Murray win his first world championship in senior trail in 2009. So, we all think we had the best parents in the world!
AQHA Amateur and Non Pro Sharnai Thompson
I would never be anything that I am without my mom. I feel her in my ear each every day, “never settle, always leave someone happy that they saw you, never do anything half-way” are some of her most popular “Tammy Dyer”-isms that I favor most.
I remember when I was showing in the Small Fry Horsemanship in 1994 at the Congress. Mind you, it was Columbus, Ohio in late October and not exactly favorable conditions. It was in between the splits and the finals, I was seven years old, and I was cold. I was from the beach, and it was my first visit to the Congress. I had never truly been in bad weather before. My mom and Jamie Pait, my trainer and mentor at the time, were so excited that I had made it to the finals they were running on pure adrenaline. That being said, when I said I was cold sitting outside my mom gave me her jacket to reveal a tank top underneath in freezing temperatures but she didn’t mind! Luckily, she still had on her lucky gold Rockies jeans, which show you how much times have changed. From that day on it has been a perfect example of how much she will sacrifice for me to succeed, and I have never forgotten it. I love you, mom.
AQHA Exhibitor Katy Krshka
Well obviously, my mom being my trainer is awesome, but also difficult at the same time. She is always there for me no matter what. We have our ups and downs, like anyone, but it just makes our relationship that much stronger. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today or have accomplished all the things I have. She is the reason why I have the love and passion for horses that I do. My favorite memory with my Mom is when i won the Hunt Seat Equitation at the Youth World in ’08, coming up the alley way and seeing my mom’s face was priceless. It was my first world championship and something we both won’t forget. We both cried like babies, but it was one of the happiest and proudest moments in both of our lives. I am so blessed to get to share the thing I love most with my beautiful mother. God has blessed me in so many ways, but to have a mom as special as mine is truly great.
AQHA Amateur and Non-Pro Jenna Dempze
My mom is my biggest fan and support. My mom shares my passion for horses; she has been behind me since I first swung my leg over a pony at my first lesson. I don’t know too many moms that are willing to get up at 5 am on Mother’s Day to drive their daughter to a horse show, but my mom was more than willing to spend “her” day with me at a horse show.
My mom has made a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to show horses; she could have easily said she wanted to spend her summer weekends on a lake or instead of a new horse she wanted a new car but she continues to be selfless and share in my love for horses and showing. I am so greatful to have her and the rest of my family as a strong support system. I could not be where I am and who I am today without my mom!
APHA Amateur Elizabeth Spike Brewer
Our mom was your typical “horse show mom” and always had a point book, groom bucket loaded with safety pins, brushes, rags, scissors, tape, just anything you might need at the last minute. I enjoy still watching and talking to many of the “horse show mom” still out there following their son/daughter and reminiscing in my own mind the days when I was “that” daughter with my mom only a few steps behind.
It’s not just the expense of owning horses, but it’s an emotional investment and I was lucky to have a mom who always supported my sister and me 110%! The year I went for #1 Youth (1994), we made 5 trips to Texas, and multiple other states along the way. We never counted up how many miles we logged, but I’m sure it was close to 20,000 easy! To have a mom that would not only made numerous sacrifices in order for her kids to show horses, she put her life on hold that year to help her daughter fulfill her wildest dream and that’s something that you can never re-pay a parent for.
The life lessons on the meaning of love, the highs and roads that go with any horse show and just to be blessed to not only do what you love, but to have parents who supported you all the way meant to the world to me. Now that I am older, I can see the full picture and to say I was blessed is a huge under statement. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world!
APHA Youth Exhibitor Austin Gooding
My mom being a horse trainer helps me with my showing much like she does one of her clients by longing, bathing, saddling. She also takes time out of her day to help me with my homeschooling, which makes horse showing much easier.
The most memorable moment would be when I was reserve world champion with Oh Good Heavens in 2009. He had a allergic reaction to something at the show, and his entire body was covered in hives to the point where his eyes were almost swelled shut. The vets did everything they could to treat it with medication, but they couldn’t get it under control. The only thing he seemed to respond to was having a cold bath, so, my mom gave him cold baths for about 2-3 days straight right up until I went in to show. She even in between my cuts unsaddled him and gave him a bath before the finals that day (there was only about a hour in between my cut and the finals). It would have been very easy to throw in the towel and not even show but because of my moms perseverance we were able to show and to be reserve world champion after all that made it all that much more special.
AQHA Exhibitor Lindsey McMullen
My mom has been influential in my horse show career in ways that are unmeasurable. Days that I’m not giving 100% or feeling negative towards everything, my mom is always behind me making me keep sight of my goals. In the big picture of life, outside our small horse show world, my mom is my rock. She urges me everyday to be a better person than I think I can be, she makes me push myself to reach goals I thought unreachable, but is there to comfort me when I fail to achieve something. My mom leads me away from paths she’s either already been down or knows from years of experience that there are better routes to take.
Above all, my mom has taught me how to love and be passionate towards the most important people in life, like friends and family, and also to be passionate about the things we love, like these horses that we live and breath everyday. I cant thank her enough for the countless hours she’s spent driving my sister up and down the roads, east coast to west coast and back again. She’s a truck driving lady that is for sure. We wouldn’t be getting to the horse shows without her. Some of the best times I’ve ever had with my mom have been when we are rolling in to a horse show in the middle of the night. I’ll never forget these times spent with her. I know I am speaking for my sister and I both when I say there isn’t a stronger or more beautiful woman we could have been blessed with as a mom. She has made me who I am today, and is constantly being my best friend, a person I look up to, and the best mom imaginable!
Hunter Trainer Lainie DeBoer
I would not be the horsewoman that I am today if it wasn’t for my
mother. My mom is my partner in my farm and she is always someone I can
bounce ideas off. She is honest, sometimes when I don’t want to hear it,
but most of all she keeps me grounded. When I was probably about eight
years old, one night at the barn my mom was braiding my pony for a show
the next day. I am not sure what I said or the tone I said it in, but
whatever it was I was being a little lippy. My mom never tolerated any
sort of an attitude whatsoever. I remember she stepped down off her
stool and told me she was not going to braid my pony, and it was up to
me to get him ready and braid him. I was a bit cocky and I got up on
that stool and braided. I am pretty sure it took me at least three
hours, and by the next day, the braids fell out before my first class. I
realized then how much she did for me, and I truly appreciated all that
she helped me with. I have never forgotten nor taken her for granted.
Happy Mothers day Mom to the best Mom and Grandmother a girl could ever
ask for.
AQHA Youth Exhibitor Jonathan Nowacki–My mother has played a huge role in my showing career. I remember when I first starting showing quarter horses, we had this gelding that was a halter horse, and all I wanted to do was ride. So I tried transforming him into the next “great” one.
Well that didn’t work, but I can remember showing at the Florida State Fair Show in Tampa. I was so scared of cantering a horse and all–I had ever shown was walk trot at open and 4h shows. As they were calling the class, I of course freaked out and didn’t want to show. My mother said, “Jonathan If you don’t get in the pen, I truly don’t know what I’m going to do.” So, I trotted in like I owned the place–the horse started freaking out, and every time I passed her on the rail; I was in tears begging her to let me come out. They ended up stopping the class and letting me out. She didn’t talk to me for almost two days at the show because she was so mad because she thought I had asked them to let me out! Then, she was going to show me how to show a horse–now at this this time, we are both novices. So, she enters the halter pen, the horse goes straight up in the air. Bites her.. And tries to take off.
After that, she came out and said ok Jonathan I now understand! It taught me that my mother will push me so that I can go as far as I can but in a loving way. I remember that every time I don’t really want to get up and go show. She has not only said I’m living my dream but I’m also living hers. So, I always ride for myself and my mom. I love her so much and she is my number one fan!
APHA Youth Exhibitor Madison Malsch–My mom has been the biggest influence on my show career, as well as my life. Mom thinks of everyone before herself. She devotes herself 100% to our family and to everything she does. She will reach far and above where anyone else would just give up, in order to make something happen for one of us.
At the shows, my mom is the runner. She is always helping out in any way she can, whether it be with me, or any of the other people in the barn. She is always picking stalls, (whether it be ours or another person’s) working horses, coaching me when my trainer is with another client. I literally would not survive at the shows without my mom.
My mom has made a lot of sacrifices in order for me to show horses and accomplish my goals. Years ago, she could have just said, “No” to horse showing and made me settle for soccer or dance. Instead, she has flown and driven me all over the country, going to show after show, spent countless nights at the barn with two hours of sleep in her system, trudged through the coldest of cold shows and sweated at the hottest of hot shows, all on top of her job, paying bills, transporting my brother and me back and forth, and being a wife. My mom is truly an amazing woman.
I could not ask for a more amazing woman to look up to. My mom is my role model, my hero, and my best friend.
