APHA Amateur Stefanie Fricke of Bothell, Washington has her employer to thank for her opportunity to show at the Paint World Show this year. Through an innovative program called, No Boundaries, her employer, Weber Shandwick, a global public relations agency, grants employees five extra paid days off and $1,000 to pursue a goal of personal and professional development. Out of sixteen submissions, Fricke was one of three chosen out of their Seattle office.
“I am very excited about the World Show!” Stefanie says, who placed third at the APHA World Show in Youth Hunt Seat Equitation in 1998. “I wish I could show there every year, but the few times I’ve been able to go make it all that much more special. I’m heading down there with a great group of barn mates, so looking forward to a great time.”
According to Fricke, many Weber Shandwick offices around the world offer this opportunity to their employees; this is the second year of No Boundaries for the Weber Shandwick Seattle office. Employees submit an essay detailing what they want to do and how it will enrich their life both personally and professionally and then three winners are chosen for the year.
“I took a year and a half off from showing to start a family,” the thirty two year-old told GoHorseShow. “I started riding again this past July and thought about the World Show. But with a young son, a busy career and the financial commitment it takes to go to Worlds, I didn’t really think too much about it.”
Fricke continues, “Then in August, one day at an all-staff meeting, they announced that the No Boundaries program was open for submissions. So, I gave it a shot, completed my essay and waited. Senior leadership in the office evaluated 16 submissions, and picked me and two other winners for the year. With those extra vacation days and the extra money to cover my entry fees, I committed myself to going. I love hearing about my co-workers’ passions that come out through this program. The other winners this year will be filming a documentary in Wyoming on wolves while the other will travel to Toronto to help an old friend launch a business.”
Fricke currently shows, Kay Ceeya Later (Casey), a 2000 bay tobiano gelding that she has owned for ten years. The duo shows in Classic Amateur Showmanship, equitation, horsemanship, and trail as well as the Novice Amateur Western Riding. She is currently under the guidance of Kip Larson, of Arlington, Washington.
“He’s patient and has taken his time with me and Casey as a team. I think that’s why Casey is 12, yet, still has a great mind and loves to go to the shows,” Fricks says about her trainer, Kip Larson. “He knows when to keep pushing us hard and knows when we need to call it a day during each ride. And you can tell he genuinely loves and enjoys all of this horses he has in the barn. He has a great group of clients and we all enjoy each others’ company.”
Fricke says she is very grateful for the opportunity her employer has given her to show at the APHA World Show again.
“I love to compete. Going out there in the pen and laying it all out in your patterns. Working hard, pushing yourself to be better each time. I love the partnership that Casey and I have developed. Putting your complete trust in an animal and working as a seamless pair is very rewarding,” she says. “I really enjoy the camaraderie of the horse show world. Going to the barn and the shows, just hanging out and visiting with friends. These people that you ride, show, travel with over the years become like family. Besides missing riding and competing, when I took that year and a half off from it all, I missed most just being with my horse family. It was so hard not being up there for Saturday lessons and even harder not being at the shows with everyone.”
Fricke adds, “With a young child, taking time and spending money for myself to ride and show sometimes makes me question if it’s the right decision. But, my husband and I both know that I’m a much happier person when I get to spend time up at the barn riding. Sometimes it’s also challenging being the underdog or the unknown rider out there in the pen. But, it just makes you work harder and celebrate every success, no matter how big or small.”
Stefanie would like to thank her parents, husband, and Weber Shandwick Seattle for supporting her and making it possible for her and Casey to make it back to the World Show. “Good luck to my friends competing and everyone else who will be pursuing a dream in Texas,” Stefanie says.
Click here to check out her World Show ad in the November issue of GoMag.
