Lynda Downin, a select amateur from Nutley, New Jersey, epitomizes the definition of perseverance; she shows steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
When you first meet Lynda, you would not know what she endures on a daily basis. Downin has been an AQHA competitor since she was in her teens, so she is no stranger to the show pen. In fact, she has qualified for the AQHA Select World show three times with her gelding Zippos Royal Image, appropriately known as “Rocky.”
Rocky Balboa, the iconic underdog boxer from the Rocky movies comes to mind when describing Downin and her beloved equine partner. Her love for the American Quarter Horse is a driving factor in what keeps Downin motivated in and out of the arena.
In 2014, Downin was returning to her home from the AQHA Level 1 Championships in Murfreesboro, Tennessee when she was in a terrible car accident. This accident left her with numerous back and neck injuries. Downin was determined not to let these injuries end her time in the show pen.
However, a few short months later, Downin was diagnosed with cancer. By January of 2015, it had developed into Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, a form of breast cancer. Beginning in February of 2015, Downin underwent surgery to remove the cancerous cells.
In a short period of time, she underwent five surgeries. She was hospitalized for over a month, followed by home care. In May of 2015, she began radiation and chemotherapy. Because of these treatments, the doctors were not able to begin treating the injuries from her car accident.
While planning her release from the hospital, Downin’s counselor suggested various forms of therapy to keep her spirits up, such as painting classes. Downin refused. “I already had the best therapy I could ask for,” Downin remarked. “I would go to the barn for hours on end and just be with my horse. I’d groom him and watch the kids ride. It was better than any art class anyone could have offered.”
Despite her frail state, Downin did everything she could to stay in the show pen. Even though she couldn’t ride, she would still show her gelding in halter as often as possible. In order to stay healthy while at horse shows, Downin relied on her show family under the guidance of Becky Kinney-Nagy. They did all they could to help Downin into the show pen. One of her teammates, a nurse, even assisted with medications and changing bandages.
Due to the fact that she could not show Rocky under saddle, she allowed the novice youth in her barn to show him in the all-around events. “Watching him show and teach the kids makes it all worth it. He truly is a special, once in a lifetime horse.” Downin says with a smile.
Through her attitude of perseverance and positivity, Downin was able to qualify for the 2015 Level 1 Championships in Virginia. With the treatments, and the pain from her accident, Downin almost wasn’t able to show. However, she powered through, managing a top 10 in the Performance Halter Geldings with Rocky.
When the new show season rolled around, Downin had new goals to accomplish. She wanted to ride again. As treatment began to wind down for her cancer, doctors were able to concentrate on easing the pain from the injuries from the car accident. Currently, Downin is showing Rocky in showmanship, horsemanship, and halter. She hopes to add more classes in the future, as she continues to gain strength.
When asked what is next on the horizon, Downin answered with ease. “I’d like to qualify for the Level 1 Championships again, and show in more than halter this time. Other than that, I’d just like to enjoy my horse. He’s given me his heart, and that’s all I could ever ask of him.”
