Families and horses go together like an olive in a martini drink–they are there only to help enjoy the experience a little more. For some families, helping out at shows and supporting their relatives is how they are able to bond and show their support. For Shayla Cooke and her mother Nina Baker, showing beside one another is the best way for them to strengthen their relationship.
Shayla Cooke was first introduced to horses through a friend. “When I was younger I had a friend who had horses and I rode as much as a city girl could, but didn’t actually start really riding until my mom remarried when I was 12 years-old,” Shayla explained. Her stepfather drove her around the state of Missouri to high school and junior rodeos, where she was crowned the Missouri High School Rodeo Queen and was the Girls Cutting Champion.
“Me, being who I am, decided I wanted to do more and started showing my barrel horse in the hunter under saddle and western pleasure,” Shayla told GoHorseShow. “Our first several shows were a little shaky, but we progressed, and, honestly, I wouldn’t go back. I’m proud of my rodeo background. I’ve learned a lot from the rodeo industry, and it has made me a better rider and horseman…horsewoman.”
It wasn’t until later that her mother, Nina, became more involved as well in the quarter horse showing world.
“Before Shayla started showing, I really didn’t even know that quarter horse shows existed,” Baker told GoHorseShow. “I was raised on a dairy farm and learned how to work at a very young age. Mark and I were married in 1997 and he had two horses. When we were first married, we went trail riding quite a bit. Our horse obsession eventually evolved into quarter horse shows.”
Nina started showing five years ago to be closer to Shayla and to do something a little more than being a cheerleader. “I have four daughters and this is what Shayla and I share. I always feel that horse shows are our time to bond,” Nina said. “I would come to shows with Shayla and I really wanted to do something instead of watch, plus, I really wanted a reason to buy some of those super cool show jackets.”
Both mother and daughter show with Joni and Craig Nelson of Davenport, Iowa. “The mother-daughter dynamic is great. They have someone to talk to, and, they know how and when to communicated to one another about hard topics,” Joni told GoHorseShow. “They both have very different riding strengths and personalities and drives but they are like an extended part of my family. They both have excelled in the industry very rapidly, and we are very proud of them both.”
While both Shayla and Nina have similar favorite memories, such as Shayla winning the Novice Amateur Showmanship at the 2010 Congress (her first class at her first Congress), they share differences as any individual person would.
Shayla is currently showing a 2009 bay gelding, Too Hot To Frisk (Tadpole), in the Amateur and Open All-Around events. “I’m hoping to finish my Superior in Showmanship. We will be attending the Quarter Horse Congress, and I will be competing in the Amateur Versatility for the first time, and Joni will be showing him in the Green and Jr. Trail,” Shayla said. “I’d really like him to be Top 10 in each of his classes, but will be happy with good patterns and rides.”
While Shayla hopes to make the Top 10 at the Congress, her mother simply hopes to make the finals. Nina is showing the black 2010 gelding, RR Moonlite Mister (Royce). “This year we are competing in performance halter, showmanship and hunter under saddle. We will be competing in western pleasure very soon, with horsemanship to follow,” Nina told GoHorseShow.
Being so close to family in a competitive nature, sometimes unwanted feelings arise, but with Shayla and Nina, the more loving sides are portrayed. “We work together and I ride every night at the barn, so I see my mom all the time,” Shayla explained. “Sometimes we both need alone time, but I’m very happy that I have a close relationship with my mom and it has grown stronger since we show together.”
“I always want Shayla to do really well, so I get stressed and nervous when she shows as I do when I show,” Nina also explained. “We offer encouragement to each other and cheer each other on.”
Even though family tends to irk some nerves, this particular mother-daughter duo takes the relationship in stride and grows stronger with showing horses together. GoHorseShow wishes both Shayla and Nina a successful show year.
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride
