The addition of the Select division, as well as the changing of novice rules, have intrigued some former competitors to get back into the show pen. Robin Matthews of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, falls into that category.
Matthews has spent the past few years being a horse show mom to her daughter, MacKenzie Matthews. However, she competed on the quarter horse circuit under the guidance of Alex Ross for the majority of her show career with some great horses including Nifty Man, No Blarney, Skips Vandyguard, and ABF Virtual Reality.
Now, Matthews has decided to make a comeback in the show arena in the novice amateur and select horsemanship and western pleasure classes on her 13 year-old daughter’s horse, Hot As Krymsun under the guidance of Shane and Cindy Young. GoHorseShow sat down with Robin and asked her what made her decide to jump back into the show arena.
Q: Hi, Robin. Thanks for sitting down with us. So, what made you decide that you wanted to show again in this time of your life?
A: I have shown since I was 10 years old, so 41 years, on and off. From time to time I’ve taken time off to focus on other things like career and raising my daughter. Each time I’ve stepped away, I always knew I would show again. Being a horse show mom for Mackenzie for the past few years has been so rewarding, but the bug to show started biting again when I became Select eligible. Then one day after going through old pictures and videos, Mackenzie made the comment that I must have been a “pretty good” rider. It hit me that she had never seen me show or hardly even ride. I think it’s so important for children to see their parents participate in things they love. And what great memories we could have doing this together. This was the little nudge I needed to stop making excuses and do it. How could I encourage her to follow her dreams if I didn’t set that example? Then, when AQHA changed the novice eligibility rules, I decided there was no better time than now to give it a shot.
Q: Tell us about your background–how long has it been since you have showed?
A: My first horse was a three year-old appendix mare. My parents and I knew very little about horses but I was horse crazy. I took lessons at the local saddle club and we won what was then called Hunt Seat English Pleasure at our first AQHA show. My last show was the 2002 World Show where I was fifth in Amateur Western Riding. I’ve shown for 41 years with a couple breaks in between. This has by far been my longest break from showing.
Q: What were some of your past accomplishments in the show arena?
A: I’ve been fortunate to have had some success in my past youth and amateur life. Over the years I’ve finished in the top 10 in the nation on multiple horses in multiple events including an Honor Roll award, numerous top 10s at the Congress and World and many circuit championships at major shows. I showed several horses, but my four favorites were Nifty Man, my first real show horse. Back then we showed one horse from morning to night. Nifty and I showed in nearly every class from halter to barrel and poles and earned a ton of points. My last year in 13 and under (1976) was the first year I showed at Congress. Nifty and I were sixth in the NYATT Western Pleasure.
Then, came No Blarney. I showed him in 14-18 and my first year of amateur. We earned about 1,000 points together in various classes. We had superiors in showmanship, horsemanship, pleasure, hunter under saddle, equitation, western riding and trail. We earned the 1981 Honor Roll Youth Trail award and several Congress Top Tens as well as numerous circuit awards. The following year, my first as an amateur, we had a great year starting at the Gold Coast and finishing at Congress placing Reserve in hunter hack, third in the hunter under saddle, Top 10 in equitation and seventh in western riding. In 1985, I bought Skips Vandyguard during the Youth World. We were fifth in Amateur Equitation at Congress that year. The following year we finished in the Top Five in the nation in western pleasure, hunter under saddle, equitation and horsemanship. We were Gold Coast Circuit Champions in equitation, All Around Amateur at the Dixie Nationals and won a bunch of all arounds that year. She was a great mare to show. It was a fun year. (Pictured above with No Blarney)
The last horse I showed was ABF Virtual Reality. I bought him as a yearling and showed him until he was eight. We sent him to Bruce Vickery as a four year-old to learn the western riding. Bruce was fourth at the World in Junior Western Riding that year. In 2001, we were Top Three at Congress in Amateur Western Riding and 14th in Horsemanship at the AQHA World Show. Alex was Reserve World Champion in Senior Western Riding that year. In 2002, “Vinnie” and I were fifth at the World in Amateur Western Riding. We had western riding and horsemanship wins at many of the major shows including East Coast Championship Show, Red Bud and Big A.
Q: What does your daughter think about you showing?
A: Mackenzie is as excited as I am! I think she’s looking forward to coaching me from the rail…sink in your heels, open your shoulders, elbows in etc. I have a feeling she’s going to be tough on me! We are sharing “Sam” and I have promised to only show when it doesn’t interfere with her classes. I have ridden a few times and it has gone well. Because I’m using
Mackenzie’s horse, I only get to ride occasionally. We only get to the
barn once a week during school and I don’t want to interfere with her
training. Mackenzie and Sam are both learning new events and the
priority is on them. Once school is out, we hope to spend more time at
the barn and I can practice more. I hope to make my debut at the Tarheel Triple Classic in June.
Q: Are you looking forward to it? Are you nervous?
A: I may be a little anxious. I’m not in the same shape as I was ten years ago. I’m looking forward to it very much though. I really do feel like I’m starting all over again. Cindy and Shane have been very supportive. They have a great group of amateurs in the barn and they have all been very encouraging. I’ve been talking about it for close to a year so when I finally ordered my outfit, I posted to Facebook that I had made the commitment. I did that because I knew I wouldn’t back once I told my friends. I didn’t expect the great response that post received. I’m just going to have fun.
Q: What is it you enjoy about horses and showing?
A: I just love horses and showing, everything about it. It’s really been the only real hobby I’ve ever had. Riding, cleaning stalls, grooming, show prep, even barn chores. It’s all very rewarding to me. It’s definitely my stress relief. My favorite time of the day is early morning when I’m in the barn alone with the horses. Most of my closet and oldest friends are those I have met through horses. It’s really like a second family. I feel most comfortable at horse shows and around my horse family. I also really enjoy being a horse show mom. I feel very blessed to be able to watch Mackenzie work hard and progress toward her goals.
Q: Who have been your mentors?
A: Alex Ross was my trainer for 27 years, from the time I was 13 until my last World Show. He taught me so much about horses, showing and riding. I’ll always be grateful to him. Cindy Dunham and Farley Barbera are both inspirations to me. I’ve never really told them this, so surprise! Cindy was a horse show mom for many years when her daughter Kathryn was in youth. Cindy recently pursued her dream of owning and showing American Saddlebreds and she’s having a ball! It’s different world than AQHA and I admire her for going for it. Farley continues to pursue her passion of showing and her love of horses. She does it mostly on her own and has complete faith in herself and her horse. Both of these ladies have continued to be positive and continued to enjoy their passion even through adversity. They refuse to let anything get in their way of living life on their terms.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I hope to show at Congress this year and be in the top 10 in either select or novice horsemanship. I’m trying not to plan too far in advance and just take it one step at a time and let it fall where it may. I’m a planner and goal setter, so this in itself is a challenge. My friend, Cindy Dunham, predicts I will have my own horse within six months. I’m not ruling that out, but will just have to wait and see.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: Never give up on your dreams. Ever.
Q: Thanks so much for talking to us Robin and good luck on your Select Amateur debut!
A: You’re welcome and I can’t wait!!
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride, Doug Leahy, Conner
