Eleven year-old Isabella (Bella) D’Onofrio of Columbus, Ohio is no stranger to competition. This year, the talented and very busy fifth grader has stepped up her game with her new mount, AQHA World and Congress Champion, Nearly Chocolate (Curly). This new duo and also her other steady mount, Just Good Enough (Roanie) will be headed next week to the Level 1 East Championship in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bella will be showing Nearly Chocolate in the equitation, horsemanship, and hunter under saddle and Just Good Enough in the showmanship and trail. Roanie and Bella were the 2015 NSBA Congress Champions in the 11 & Under Trail and ended up third in the class. This pair was also reserve at the Level 1 East Championships last year in the Novice 13 & Under Showmanship.
Under the supervision of Missy Thyfault, Bella, who is in her last year of 11 & Under, is looking forwarded to the challenges with her horses this year. “I love being around the horses and practicing,” Bella told us. “I also like hanging out with my all friends.”
The 11 year-old is one busy girl. In addition to showing horses, Bella is a member of a competitive ski team, plays travel soccer, and will be on the swim team this year. Bella qualified for the Future Stars Ski training program and says she likes skiing, “because I get to go fast,” but says that she prefers showing horses because she loves animals.
“I love Roanie because he is my first horse and he has taught me a lot,” Bella says. “I love the showmanship and trail because I love doing patterns and that is Roanie’s (pictured right) best classes. He is very patient and always does what I ask him to do. He also likes hugs. I’m still learning about Curly but he loves hugs and kisses and he is really sweet and tries hard. He is also a really good mover and talented.”
Thyfault adds, “I think Curly is a great fit for Bella as he is able to do so many classes so well. He has not once said no. He is completely safe and I trust him to take care of her in the learning process. He has so much heart and try, and he will wait on her as her skill level increases as a rider. He truly has to be one of the sweetest horses I have ever had in my barn. He enjoys all the petting and treats and attention that comes with a young girl, which is a bonus.”
Bella and Curly recently made their debut at the Shamrock Shuffle, SOQHA Challenge, March to The Arch and The Madness Show. The duo picked up several points and had successful outings at their first shows. They were the Novice Youth 18 and Under Hunter Under Saddle Circuit Champions at The Madness Show in Wilmington, Ohio. “She was first under all three judges one day and her expression of joy is one I will never forget. She patted him so much; I thought she might fall off,” says, Bella’s mother, Jennifer, laughing about the memory.
Jennifer told us that she showed paint horses when she was younger and that is how she got Bella involved with showing horses. “I still have my old show horse, he is 32 now and Bella showed him in the leadline when she first started riding.”
A few years ago, Jennifer visited the Congress looking for horses and that’s when she connected with Missy Thyfault. The Ohio trainer ended up finding Roanie for Jennifer’s daughter which was the perfect first horse for Bella.
“I was really thankful that we came in contact with Missy. She helped Bella as a Small Fry and last year in her first year of novice,” Jennifer told us. “Also, she helped us find the perfect partner, Nearly Chocolate in December. There was an immediate connection between Curly and Bella – it has been really special watching them learn about each other and become a team.”
Bella’s trainer Missy Thyfault also shares her thoughts about working with the D’Onofrio Family.
“They are a family who are used to running hard and giving what they do 100 percent,” Missy said. “Bella has learned discipline and sportsmanship from her skiing and soccer background. She has a work ethic that is unusual for her age and has been very focused on reaching her goals,” Missy told us. “Because of her drive and her love of horses, I think the sky is the limit for her.”
Missy continues, “Bella doesn’t get nervous showing, primarily because she just enjoys it so much. If her mother and I allowed it, Miss Bella would show in every class offered. She has a great support system with the entire family and with Jennifer showing now, it is something they are enjoying together. It is a great mother and daughter bond they share with the horses. I really appreciate coaching these two, and I am looking forward to the year ahead.”
Jennifer adds, “I think the hardest part in finding a Novice Youth All-Around horse is finding a truly talented horse that also has the disposition to be a teacher. I think we are blessed that we have two.”
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Photos © Jeff Kirkbride, Shane Rux
