The timing never seemed right for 26 year-old Stephanie Nowacki of Cooper City, Florida to show horses competitively. Stephanie has been riding at home for many years, but never showed on the quarter horse circuit until she tried a Novice Walk Trot class at the Big A last year and won a circuit championship.
Nowacki has always been a cheerleader for her brother, Jonathan, who has been heavily involved with showing his horse, RL A Sudden Image (Larry). This team has won multiple Congress and NSBA World Championships and has been very successful on the quarter horse circuit.
“I have always loved horses, but I was involved in a serious relationship for a long-time, but when that ended, I realized that I wanted to focus on myself more and do the things that I love while I still had the freedom to do so, and showing has always been an interest of mine,” Stephanie says. “I have always been supportive of my brother’s show career and now he is returning the favor.”
Nowacki adds, “Jonathan has been extremely supportive in showing me how the ‘horse show world’ works. He is helping guide me in setting out a plan. We just recently did a photo shoot together–never thought that day would come,” she says laughing. “It has brought me and my brother a lot closer, and our mother is very excited that we can now go to the shows together.”
A few weeks ago, Stephanie successfully debuted in the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure in New Smyrna Beach, Florida where the new team received three firsts and a third.
“Larry is such a great horse, he did so well for me and tried so hard,” she says. “I’m still trying to figure out all his buttons and cues.”
Stepanie says she would like to thank her trainers, the Augsburger’s, for all their help and support.
“They have been so dedicated, helpful, and patient with me that I couldn’t ask for a better support system. They are the best!” Stephanie says.
Her brother will still show Larry in the Amateur Trail and Horsemanship but he is now concentrating on a three year-old prospect, Gotta Good Impulse, that he bought from his trainers, Andrew and Lori Augsburger of Pinetree Quarter Horses.
“Larry is like a part of the family,” Jonathan told GoHorseShow. “He has made so many of my horse show dreams come true, and I want to share him within the family. Andrew will continue to show Larry in the Senior Trail and Lori has some big plans for next year,” he said giggling. “At ten years-old, he still has a lot of years ahead of him. We are all so blessed.”
Stephanie, who currently works at an animal hospital and recently went back to school, says that she is excited to continue getting better and improving her riding and show skills. When we asked whether she would be showing at the Congress, she hesitated and said that she is not sure yet.
“I know I will be going to a few more shows the next few months,” Stephanie says, “But the Congress is a whole different breed of a show. Most likely, I’ll aim for Congress next year since I’ve only shown him once. I’m just excited to finally be out there showing and I’m looking forward to see what the future holds for Larry and me.”
