Horse show mom, Terri Van Slyke of Nolensville, Tennessee, has lived through a lot of horse show experiences through her daughter, Katie, and has just started to have her own adventures in the show pen. At The Redbud Spectacular on Thursday, Terri and her new horse, KM Brandy Girl made their successful debut in the Level 1 Amateur Western Pleasure.
“Today was a day of firsts for me,” Terri told us after her class. “I have traveled so many times to Oklahoma City for my daughter, Katie, to ride but I have never shown here. So, it was my first ride on my new mare and my first time to show at the Redbud. My first class was Amateur Level 1 Western Pleasure, and I placed first, second and third in my very first class. What a pleasure it was…the mare simply did her job.”
It is not surprising that KM Brandy Girl did her job since she comes from western pleasure royalty. The five-year-old bay mare is by the incomparable, RL Best Of Sudden and out of Brandys Silver Sheik which makes her a full sister to AQHA World and Congress Champion, Snap Krackle Pop. Her barn name is Beyoncé and Terri says with that name she should be a diva but is actually the complete opposite.
“Beyonce is very sweet and lovable,” Terri says. “She is quickly becoming a barn favorite and is very much an old soul. I had an accident with a three-wheeler years ago, plus, other back issues. So, many surgeries, and fusions later, I just feel so blessed I found a horse I can sit that doesn’t hurt me.”
Terri enjoys showing in Oklahoma City. “There is no need for a GPS to get around anymore, and it is a great facility to get a horse prepared. I knew today was going to go well when I crawled on Beyoncé this morning. She was very focused.”
Terri adds, “I want her to be glad to see me, so cookies are now always in her stall bag. She feels me up for them now every chance she gets. It’s a bad habit that I have been told will have to stop once she starts showmanship,” she says and laughs.
We asked Katie (pictured left with her Mom), what it was like to watch her mother show. “It was awesome. I think I was more nervous than she was. I knew Beyoncé was warming up well, so when I got off of her and let mom have her, I just went to the stands because I knew my nerves were getting to her. But, she rode like a champ, and it was great to see her rewarded with a win!”
Terri’s future plans with Beyoncé are to bring her home. Recently, Adam Wainscott moved his training program to her barn located in Nolensville Tennessee. So, after the Redbud, Adam will be helping Terri with her new mare.
“I can’t thank Brad, Vicki and Carli Pitts enough for finding her for me. They have been wonderful getting me started on her. Carli just started Beyoncé in trail, recently winning the Green Trail at the Lucky Seven out of 45 in her second trail class ever. So, I am very excited about her trail future.”
Terri adds, “I am very thankful and blessed with a daughter who takes a lot of the work load off of me, so I can save my poor back for the riding. God has blessed me with wonderful people in my life. My husband, Matt, who spoils me. Without Matt and Katie, I could never chase my dreams.”
