Wednesday morning at the All American Quarter Horse Congress the Celeste Center saw one of the largest, most united, cheering sections it’s likely ever held. The Blue for Sue crew showed up in full force, donning blue t-shirts with “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” across the front, and “But I Wear Blue for Sue” emblazoned across the back.
All of this was to show support for Sue Mulford who showed her horse, Stay Shining, in both Senior and Amateur Pleasure Driving. The pair placed seventh in a deep class of Senior Pleasure Driving horses, and fifth in the Amateur Pleasure Driving.
Last year, GoHorseShow shared Sue’s story of hope and resilience as she battled cancer from a hospital room and watched her husband, Denny, show, Shine, at the 2014 Congress in Senior and Amateur Pleasure Driving. Though this year has been fraught with ups and downs, the family is thrilled that Sue was able to take back the reins.
After her last battle with colon and intestinal cancer, it seemed that Sue was on the mend. “She got better and we went to Florida,” her husband, Denny, shares. “We’re snowbirds so we like to go down for the winter. She seemed to be getting stronger and stronger there. We showed horses all summer, and right after we watched our grandkids show at the youth world, Sue went back to the oncologist.”
It was during that follow up visit that doctors discovered cancer yet again. “The doctors found multiple tumors, so Sue is now back on chemo for the fourth time,” Denny says.
Sue says that despite the disappointing diagnosis, canceling the Congress this year was not an option. “This past year has been very up and down. But it’s a whole year since not getting to show and watching Denny. So when it came time to enter I said, ‘I’m still here, so I’ll try again.’”
Her daughter, Lisa Campbell, adds, “Mom saw the oncologist for that follow up just two weeks after the Congress entries were due. Even with the new diagnosis, we knew she’d want to do everything she could to show.”
That is exactly what Sue and her entire support system have done the past few weeks. “She’s in her fourth week of chemo right now,” says Denny. “We’ve been running back and forth between horses and doctors. Yesterday we were at the oncologist, today we’re showing the Congress, and tomorrow we’re meeting with a radiation oncologist because Sue starts radiation next week.”
Sue is no stranger to the effects of chemotherapy. This is her fourth go-round fighting the devastating disease. Despite feeling weak, nothing was going to keep her from showing today. She says the help of her support system has meant everything to her as she battles cancer.
“I have a big support system. A lot of them got up at 4 a.m. to drive here. And, many more were watching at home on the live feed. I really do have a great support group in all the prayers and thoughts that I’m given.”
Many spectators in the Celeste Center commented on the huge show of support that filled an entire section. Even at 8 a.m. the cheers could likely be heard from outside the arena as Sue entered the gate.
Sue’s grandson, all-around trainer Cody Campbell, has also been instrumental in helping his grandmother make it to the show pen. “Shine wasn’t cooperating the best last night, and I was beginning to get discouraged. But Cody and Denny worked him through it, and we did great today.”
Sue and Denny have been showing with their grandson and his clients for most of the season. Two weeks ago, they competed at the Tough Enough to Wear Pink show, which benefits current cancer patients in the horse industry.
“This year the funds went to Bob Menker. It used to just be for breast cancer patients. Since then, the show has realized how many people in the industry are battling, and survivors of, all types of cancer. Additionally, the Equine Auction put on by Shane Watson will hold an auction in Sue’s honor. All of the proceeds will benefit Tough Enough to Wear Pink and funds will be put towards research for all types of cancer,” says Campbell.
Sue’s daughter shares that currently Sue and Shine are leading the Nation in both Senior and Amateur Pleasure Driving. Sue is no stranger to success in the driving pen. In 2008 she won Pleasure Driving at the Select World Show with, Suchafine Investment. She has also been highpoint in the nation with Virtual Chocolate.
Showing and training has always been a family affair for the Mulfords. Three years ago they purchased Shine, then a three-year-old, green broke stallion.
“We gelded him the day after we bought him,” says Denny. “He’s been a challenge,” adds Sue, “but he’s a really neat horse.” According to Denny, “We taught him to drive ourselves. We’ve done that with all of our horses. Driving is really our passion, and Shine has turned into a great driving horse.”
The horse genes certainly seem to have carried down through the family. Along with Cody two of their granddaughters, Courtney Mulford and Christina Froelich, compete in timed events and the youth all-around respectively.
But Wednesday was all about Sue. Sitting in the stands it was impossible to miss her beaming smile as she and Shine sailed around the arena.
“Today felt very good just to be there,” says Sue. “I didn’t have any big expectations. Last night it was getting late and I was tired. But, when I pulled in the ring and saw my support group, I thought this is it. I may never get to do it again, so I’m going to have a great time doing it today.” “
Even the queen wore ‘Blue for Sue,’” shares Lisa. “Congress Queen Carly Kidner posted last night that 
she was wearing her blue today in support of Sue.”
When asked what having horses has meant to her as she’s battled cancer, Sue simply replied, “Everything.” She went on to say, “It’s meant so much. Sometimes when I think I’m not going to ride or drive again, it can be very depressing. But having the horses gives me something to look forward to, whether it’s the next ride or the next drive.”
As with so many horse show families, horses are the glue that holds The Mulfords together. “We do it with the family. It’s all about time spent with them. Win or lose it’s an extra good time.”
Sue hopes to be in the stands cheering on her granddaughter early next week as she competes in trail, western riding and horsemanship on her horse, Little Bit of Rodder.
“If I’m not doing radiation, I’ll be here,” says Sue. She adds, “And if I am, I’ll be watching in the hospital on the live feed.”
That spirit of resilience and determination is exactly what’s kept Sue Mulford in the driver’s seat and allowed her to “Stay Shining” through it all.
