Several years ago GoHorseShow shared the story of Rob and Suzy Bohnsack of Durant, Iowa. Their daughter, Emily, showed in the youth all-around events, but was killed, tragically, in a car accident in 2010. As a way to keep their daughter’s memory alive, Rob and Suzy continued to raise and show their daughter’s beloved Quarter Horses. Rob even took the reins and showed her gelding, Terms Look Radical, or Buddy.
We recently caught up with Rob and Suzy as they were attending their first All American Quarter Horse Congress to watch a horse they bred compete in the yearling longe line. “It was a dream we had, to watch a horse we bred show here,” Rob shares. “We had a very nice filly, so we thought this would be the year to do it.”
The filly, Miss Hot Vital Sign, who was shown by Joe Hansen at the Congress, took home a third place finish in the Non-Pro Western Longe Line Futurity. Both Rob and Suzy were thrilled with the placing. The filly is by Blazing Hot and out a mare who is a full sister to the incredible, Vital Signs Are Good. This makes her the full sister in blood to the accomplished stallion, VS Code Red. It is clear to see that Rob and Suzy were inspired by Emily to keep breeding high quality horses to honor her love of horses.
In the article we wrote in 2010, readers may remember that following Emily’s passing, Rob and Suzy were able to purchase Buddy’s mother. The next spring, that mare went on to foal a colt born with a remarkable E marking on his forehead. For the Bohnsacks that E was a sign from heaven that Emily was watching over them.
When the aptly named, E (pictured right), was a yearling, the couple took him to a futurity show in Fort Worth, Texas. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the Bohnsacks again, as the colt contracted a virus. “We spent a lot of money trying to save him,” Rob shares. “We did blood transfusions—everything the vet thought might work.” Sadly, the colt succumbed to his illness.
Months later, Rob was sharing the story with a woman who claims to have medium abilities, and has long felt a connection to Emily’s story. Rob says, “I don’t know that I buy into that sort of thing, but she gets too many things right for me to discount it completely.”
As he shared the story of E, the woman interrupted him and said, “He’s not your colt. It was uncanny,” Rob shares, “The way she interrupted me to say that, almost as if Emily had interrupted her.”
For the Bohnsacks losing E was heartbreaking, but they felt as though the young horse was going home to Emily. “She wanted him back, and she need him more than we did,” Suzy says. “I believe they’re riding in heaven.”
Suzy says that it’s been amazing to see things come full circle since their decision to stay in the horse business. “One of Emily’s friends that showed, Abby Huntrods, was really struggling with her loss,” Rob says. “So, we decided we’d buy a filly and let Abby show her in the longe line.”
That’s what started the path the Bohnsacks (pictured left) are now on—breeding, raising, and showing horses to preserve their daughter’s memory. Along the way they’ve been able to impact the lives of several young girls by giving them the opportunity to ride and show,” Rob shares.
And what became of Buddy, Emily’s much loved show horse, whom Rob also showed for a time? Well that’s also a case of events coming full circle.
“Our good friend, Bob Menke, who lives just down the road had a woman come to him and tell the story of this great young girl who owned a horse that was a real renegade. She’d just been bucked off the week before at the State Fair. This woman wanted Bob to help work out a trade and get the girl a decent horse to show. Well, Bob wasn’t coming up with anything, so he called me. He said, ‘You know, what that girl needs is Buddy.’ Suzy and I agreed, so now Buddy is being used by Cassie Kenney.”
The Bohnsacks are elated to have their daughter’s horse being put to such good use and helping to make the dreams of another young competitor come true. “Cassie is a hard worker and a great kid,” according to Rob. Together they have gone to one AQHA show. Kinney also competes at open and 4-H shows.
This past year, Kenney (pictured left with Buddy) and the Radical Rodder gelding won showmanship at the Iowa State Fair and were named the Reserve Champion in Western Pleasure.
“It amazes us how Emily’s story has touched people,” Suzy says. “People were following Buddy and Cassie around at the State Fair. Cassie told us later that she met so many people because they’d approach her saying they knew Buddy.”
Rob says, “Cassie’s mother called us from the state fair when she won. She had to hang up because she was crying. They’re just a really nice family, and we’re so glad Buddy’s happy. He really loves Cassie.”
Recently the local Iowa newspaper featured the story of Emily, Buddy and Cassie. Suzy says that just as with the previous GoHorseShow article, the response has been overwhelming. “People love to see Buddy being used again. It’s good for everyone.”
The Bohnsacks are big believers in paying it forward. Just as with providing opportunities for kids to show and experience Emily’s love of horses, they have several other causes that are close to their heart.
“Emily (pictured right) was an organ donor,” says Suzy.” “She was proud of that,” says Rob. Adding, “The day she came home with her license; she showed me that she’d chosen to be an organ donor.”
Suzy now participates in a Green-Out at the local High School. Since 2010 they’ve sold almost 6,000 t-shirts and have raised close to $10,000 for Iowa Organ Donation.
Staying involved with horses has been a healing experience for the Iowa couple, but it’s also provided them the opportunity to reach out and give back to the youth of the industry. Rob shares that telling his daughter’s story is something he cherishes. “Just a few nights ago, I was sitting here at the barn at Congress and talking with a woman whose daughter shows. I was telling her Emily’s story, and it brought tears to her eyes. She explained to her daughter about Emily, and then about E.”
Rob goes on to say he likes to use the opportunity to educate kids. “It gives me a chance to tell kids about safe driving. I like to do that when I can.” Suzy agrees, “Emily is still touching people.”
“It will be almost five years in December since we lost her,” says Rob. “We plan to keep going with the horses. We have too many friends in the industry now, and if we don’t have the horses, we’ll lose contact. But having the horses has also been important to us because we like talking about Emily (pictured left) with the people who knew and loved her. It helps us.”
Anyone who’s met the Bohnsacks would agree that having such kindhearted people in the industry—people that are focused on giving back and paying it forward—is something that helps us all.
