The Wilhelm Family of Chalfont, Pennsylvania is well known in the industry for being the face of Rock Star Horse Show Management as well as owning multiple AQHA World Champion Hunter Under Saddle Horse, Air Ride Equipped. The mother, Michele, is busy managing shows at Rock Star while also watching her daughter, Lauren, show under the guidance of trainer Keith Miller. Michele’s daughter also helps out at the Rock Star Shows and has started showing more.
In addition to showing Air Ride Equipped and a few other nice horses, Lauren has her veteran all-around gelding, Man Am I Sheik, who she calls Heath. In 2005, Wilhelm started showing AQHA in the hunter events, but she didn’t start competing in the western events until a few years ago. Lauren has learned a great deal about the western events from Heath, and the 24 year-old has shared some funny and insightful thoughts about how her favorite mount has also taught her some very valuable life lessons.
In Lauren Wilhelm’s own words:
We bought Heath from my trainer’s wife in January of 2010. Due to my school and work schedule, in addition to my trainer living in North Carolina, whereas I’m in Philadelphia, I didn’t get a chance to practice much, and got to show even less. I had only showed him twice that year before Congress and ended up basically being a catch rider. Despite the limited time Heath and I had together, we made the finals in the Novice Amateur Showmanship and ended up sixth in the Novice Amateur Equitation. It was at this show that I learned how much Heath would take care of me.
We had practiced the pattern for the horsemanship for a week before the class. Heath was so willing and I’m certain that I was fumbling around on his back and frustrating him but he never threw a fit. He’s a very professional horse, after all. I had that pattern down by show time. I knew it back and forth, up and down; I could have done it in my sleep (if I ever got any during the Congress).
It’s my turn to go into the pen. We get to the spin in the pattern and Heath turns his nose to the right. I think in my head, “No Heath, don’t be dumb, we go to the left, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” I neck rein him over to the left and less than a shoulder into the turn I realize my mistake. I can feel Heath sigh in disappointment, “You stupid little girl–I tried to tell you it was to the right. Now I won’t get a medal. Thanks a lot.”
We finish the pattern and come out to a frustrated trainer and mom, who know that I knew the pattern and just as Heath tried to tell me, I had turned the wrong way. My bad, at least we’re still alive. As far as I was concerned, I hadn’t fallen off so that was a big success.
I’ve learned to listen to Heath more over the years; but I’m still competing in the novice all around since I was only able show about two times a year until now. Heath’s not always right though. We showed at the March To The Arch this past year in the all around. When the judges decided to give the novices a break in the western riding, which is not my class, and let us do the green pattern, apparently my horse didn’t get the memo. We came around the first set of line cones and he was hoping around like a bunny. “Mom, we change here, you’re costing me a ribbon.”
“Please Heath do not change leads yet……Alright fine, but you’re off pattern.”
After a not-so-pretty pattern, we came out of the ring, one more ride behind us but still a long weekend ahead. He always tries to save me, but he’s not always right–although he is most of the time.
Something I’ve come to learn over the years is that one needs the same thing from a horse that they do from any other relationship. A show horse needs to be an equal, a partner. Someone that can be counted on and that rises to the occasion, that’s what makes a horse more that a horse.
Heath is nothing to look at in the field. He’s a bay with a star and snip, white sock, and a tail that he insists on carrying about half a foot from his body when he jogs around. His legs aren’t exactly straight and he’s not flat up front, but please do not tell him that. Heath wants to win. He’s as honest as the day is long–probably longer, and he cleans up nice. That’s what’s important. I’ve only learned what I have and done as well as I have because of him (and Keith of course). He helps me in the show pen and is affectionate and sweet on the ground. He is the horse that has made me stick with it, and it is because of him that I truly love to show. For his sake, let’s hope I can remember my patterns this time around.
Photo © Jeff Kirkbride
