Back in the 80’s and 90s, the Mackenzie sisters, Michele and Heather, were leading exhibitors who competed on the AQHA circuit. When they showed, I was a young girl and remembered them being tall, blonde, beautiful…..and from California. When I think back, I clearly remember thinking that these sisters epitomized “cool” without even trying.
GoHorseShow decided to track down Heather to see what she has been up to since her horse showing days. Both sisters now live in Canton, Georgia with their families, and their parents also live in a nearby town. They are California girls turned southern belles.
Heather is best known as being an AQHYA World Champion in both the hunter under saddle and western pleasure. In 1991, she won the world in western pleasure on Hollies Big Leaguer (Bambi). Heather says that Bambi was a three year-old mare that would do anything for her. The following year, she won the hunter under saddle on Bop With Bobby. Heather says that Bobby was one of the most talented horses she ever had the opportunity to show.
“I have so many great memories of showing, having fun before and after the horse shows,” Heather recalls. “One of the most memorable moments was when I won the western pleasure at the AQHYA World Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bambi wasn’t feeling well during the preliminaries because my leather girth was giving her stomach pains, but I changed to a fluffy girth. I had to ride her with a loose girth and had to balance on her like I was riding a bicycle. Luckily, I got her through it and made it back to the finals.”
Heather continues, “In the finals, we had a great ride. When we were in the middle of the arena listening to the placings getting called out, I was wondering what I had placed. I had my eye on my sister, parents, and trainer Vicky Cooper. When they called out second place, and I saw my sister in the corner jumping up and down cheering–that was when I realized I had won the class. I had a feeling of shock, surprise and joy all at the same time–it was amazing. I was so thankful for my trainer Vicky and the support of the other trainers that helped me when Bambi got sick–that made a lasting impression on me.”
Another feeling she will never forget was when she was showing Bobby in the Hunter Under Saddle at the Youth World. They were in Fort Worth that year, and it was the normal Texas summer heat.
“There was nothing you could do when you were not in the arena, except for sweat. I will never forget trotting into the arena and hearing them announce our name–the cold AC hit us, people in the stands yelling for us…..that cold rush of AC gave both Bobby and I an extra boost. You could always hear Jerry Standford’s YEEAAAAH over everything else. I think those chills and rush you feel every time you enter the arena is a memory you never forget.”
Mackenzie also has many great memories of riding with her sister. “Michele has always been there, either inside the ring with or on the sideline cheering me on. At the Congress, we would always go out to ride in the middle of the night together, even if only one of us was riding. We would go together to show support and make sure we stayed awake,” Heather remembers.
This mother of two boys has fond thoughts when she thinks back to the height of her youth days. “The people at the horse shows were always like a second family. It is also amazing how people come together to help each other. In the arena they might be competing against each other, but if someone needs help, they are more than willing to help each other,” she says. “I learned that a lot of hard work really pays off. Winning doesn’t come easy—it takes a lot of practice, patience and determination to make it to the winning circle.”
Another fun fact to know is that her mare, Hollies Big Leaguer is the dam of Java Mon (Willie) and Big Leaguers All Star (Bob). Java Mon won the Youth Hunt Seat Equitation World Championship with Parris Rice in 2009 and 2010. Big Leaguers All Star won Horsemanship at the AQHYA World in 2009 with Danielle Long. They are also full brothers who were sired by the Mackenzie family’s stud, Triples Crown Jewel.
“We are very proud about Bambi’s offspring’s accomplishments. Trainer Carolyn Rice purchased Willie when he was a yearling, and Parris and Willie have grown up together. It has been awesome to watch them over the years,” Heather says.
Heather currently works in Atlanta for GE as an operations lead services project manager. When asked if she will be back in the show arena anytime soon, she says, “I really miss it. It is a lot different now, with having kids and working. Currently my boys, Trustin and Kavin take up a lot of my weekends with their sports, but my parents still have horses. I get out and ride once in a while. I have always loved horses, riding and competing, I know one of these days I will be back in the show arena.”
