Select Amateur Bonnie Sheren of Studio City, California finally was able to live out her dream of showing horses on the national level a few years ago. Sheren has been a horse lover ever since she was very young and was fortunate enough to live near Griffith Park in Los Angeles where she rode the trails until she was in her mid-teens.
In her late 30’s, Sheren decided to buy a horse to trail ride again, but she always had the desire to try showing. Sheren bought a quarter horse and started showing at some local open shows and a few AQHA shows, and she was hooked, but, due to life circumstances, she wasn’t able to commit to it for very long. Finally, a couple years ago, Bonnie, who is now retired, was able to buy two horses of her dreams and made a commitment to ride and show until she physically can’t do it anymore!
Sheren currently has two horses, a 13 year-old mare named, Gold N Pearls Galore (Pearl), and a nine year-old mare named, Chex Me Im Cute (Blondie). Last year was her first year owning and showing both horses. GoHorseShow sat down with Bonnie to ask her more about her two horses and her goals for this year.
Q: Hi Bonnie! So tell us more about the two horses you are showing this year?
A: I show both horses in Select Trail, and I showed Pearl in the western pleasure last year. Both horses are also shown by my trainer, Kerri McKay, in the Senior Trail and Pearl is also being shown in the Green Western Riding. My horses have very different personalities. Blondie is the sweetest, most mellow horse I have ever known. I joke that she is so calm she must have had a lobotomy. She is a World Champion trail horse and is very fancy at the trail. It’s taken me a little longer to click with her, but, I’ve had some of my best trail goes on her. I don’t even think I can explain how much Pearl means to me. It feels like she was made for me, and she will be with me for life. She is the smartest horse I have ever known and she gives her all each and every time she is shown.
Q: What are your plans for this year?
A: This year Blondie was bred and is in foal via recipient mare to VS Flatline, so, I haven’t shown her yet this year. Pearl and I have moved up to the Select division this year due to pointing out of novice last year. My main goal with Pearl is to continue to improve in the more challenging Select classes. I won my first circuit championship in the Select Trail a few weeks ago, and I am qualified for the Select World, which, although it wasn’t my goal this year, I am very excited and proud to have done. I plan to show Pearl at the Select World in trail and, I also will be showing her at the Novice Championships in Las Vegas.
Q: What attracted you to showing horses?
A: I love the challenge of doing something that I’m not particularly a natural at doing. And to have such a magnificent animal to do it with makes it even more rewarding. I also love the people and friends I have made at the shows. Even though we are competing against each other, I really feel a lot of support and encouragement from everyone.
Q: What does your family think about you showing horses?
A: I have very little immediate family but everyone is very supportive if a little clueless as to what kind of riding I do. When I tell them I ride western they think I’m barrel racing! My late father loved horses although he never rode. He owned some race horses and enjoyed watching them run.
Q: Who have been some of the people that have helped you during your show career?
A: My mentors have been my trainer Kerri McKay and Jason Martin and Charlie Cole. I have known Jason and Charlie since the 1990’s when they were still in California, and, when I decided to get back into showing, I called them for advice. They were and still are so supportive, encouraging and helpful. Knowing that I needed to have my horse near me so I could ride often, they referred me to Kerri. They are a class act all the way from how they run their business to how they lead their lives. Many people could learn a lot by their example. Kerri has been my mentor, teacher and friend. She has instilled a confidence in me that I had lost, and, she inspires me to keep getting better.
Q: Do you have a special memory that stands out during your time showing horses?
A: One of my best memories was watching a little girl show Pearl in the walk/jog at a show in Burbank. Her trainer asked if she could show Pearl because her horse was a little fresh. I felt like a very proud mom watching my horse go around with that little girl. Another was at the Fall Classic in Santa Barbara last year. The Novice Amateur Trail had the option of a flying lead change. Of course, I said I couldn’t do it because I had only ever done maybe three flying changes in my whole life. My trainer said, yes, you are doing it! Despite my protests, I did it and won the class under all three judges. Listen to your trainer!
Q: What is it like working with Kerri McKay?
A:I love working with her. This is my hobby and it has to be fun and rewarding. Kerri gets it! She knows me and my horses so well. She knows when to push me and when to ease up. No matter how well I do in the show pen, when I come out, Kerri always very calmly tells me what was good and what was bad about my ride. When I’m stuck on not getting how to do something, she finds another way to approach it. Not all trainers are good teachers, but, she is a great trainer and teacher.
Q: What stands out as your favorite win so far?
A: There have been some really special moments last year like the NSBA World Show, when I was reserve champion tying for 1st in the Novice Non Pro Trail Stake with Pearl and Top Five in the Novice Amateur Trail with Blondie. I also will never forget standing in the lineup at the Novice Championship West and having my name called out in third place in Western Pleasure with Pearl out of 110 entries with a first under one of the two judges. Also winning my very first AQHA buckle at the age of 56!
Q: What are your future plans in the show arena?
A: I will continue to show my horses in the Select Trail and show at the Select World. My other goal is to start learning the western riding and show in the novice next year. My biggest challenge showing horses has been to stop saying, “I can’t”…… I can and I have! I’m very thankful for what I have been able to achieve in a very short time. It may be a cliché but it really does take a village. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has encouraged and supported me.
CLICK HERE to check out her ad on the June issue of GoMag
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride, Larry Williams
