Michigan youth exhibitor, Miller Lantis is no stranger to the show arena. She also isn’t a stranger to adjusting to new horses. At seventeen years old, Miller has shown seven horses on her search to find “The One.” Her young heart has proven to be one of the strongest, as she has faced adversities well beyond her years including the loss of the special horse that was supposed to be forever.
After facing these hardships, the road to success seemed long and strenuous, but Miller never lost her dream of showing at Congress again. She had worked for years to reach this level of competition, and she wasn’t going to let anything stop her from attaining the goals she was so close to reaching before. She was going to enter the Congress arenas again. Miller proves that success really can be measured by standing up taller each time fate doesn’t side with you.
Miller’s show career began in 2010. Between then and late 2011, she had shown three mares: Two Hot Margarita, Version Margarita, and The Magic Hour. “All three horses were different, so as a young rider I had to learn that I had to change my riding depending on the horse. I will forever be grateful that they gave me a chance to show, and helped me discover my love for equestrian competition,” she told us.
In October of 2011, a horse by the name of HQH Money Talks (Rodney) was purchased through the Congress sale by a friend of the Lantis family. By November, Rodney belonged to Miller. It would be fair to say the rest was history.
Rodney (pictured right) was tall and lean. He was the perfect all-around horse, capable of winning hunter under saddle, western pleasure, and everything in between. In 2013 Miller and Rodney won the 13 & Under All Around, and Reserve Novice Youth 13 & Under All Around in Michigan. In 2014 they won the Novice Youth 14-18 All Around, and were Reserve Youth 14-18 All Around.
Miller and Rodney also brought home a bronze trophy at the Novice Championships in showmanship, a Top 15 finish in equitation, and finalist ribbons in the 12-14 western pleasure in 2013 and 2014.
Rodney’s talents were unmatched by many, but it was his patience and try that attracted everyone around him. He was easy on the eyes, but easier on the heart. Those that got to know Miller and Rodney as a team knew they shared a special bond. He did more than work for her, he gave every class. He loved her.
Rodney suffered a quick onset of colic symptoms at the end of 2014. He was taken immediately in for care and ended up in surgery. The surgery took care of the immediate issue, and after a few days, he returned home. Shortly after, colic symptoms started to reemerge. Rodney was diagnosed with a bowel disease that would most likely cause the problem to reoccur. Although the decision was difficult, the family knew that they couldn’t allow him to suffer through multiple surgeries with the chance of recovery getting smaller each time.
Rodney passed away on December 9, 2014.
Miller says she understands now that you should never take anything for granted. “Walking out of the Congress Coliseum for the last time in 2014, I knew my equitation pattern wasn’t good enough for a callback. I was mad at myself and at Rodney. Looking back now, realizing that it was my last ride on him, I would have done everything differently. I would have patted him, given him treats, and would have been thankful for the experience.”
Miller also commented on how she stayed positive when it came to showing horses. “After putting so much time into one thing, it becomes your ‘constant.’ After losing Rodney, I realized that was gone. I could have quit showing, but I couldn’t imagine that. I knew it would take time, so I slowly tried to repair and recover. I wanted to prove that I wasn’t going to give up after losing him; I still have dreams of winning a world show or Congress trophy.”
The search for another horse seemed impossible. Rodney was irreplaceable, but Miller knew she had room to love another horse. In the spring of 2015, Miller rode a four-year-old bay gelding by the name of Hes A Lazy Lover (Tosh) for the first time. His quiet demeanor and deep hocked lope made him an instant favorite. Shortly after he was purchased by the Lantis family.
Miller and Tosh (pictured right) were well on their way to becoming an incredible team, working through the ‘green horse’ moments, and normal struggles of learning about each other. Miller says that “Tosh always had the willing attitude. We were transforming him from just a western pleasure horse into an all around. He tried his best at all times.”
Tosh injured himself at a horse show in 2015 by casting himself, and getting a hoof caught through the stall bars. After some rest and therapy, it was decided that Tosh was better off having more extensive time off to thoroughly heal. He is projected to make a complete recovery, and the Lantis family has plans for his future.
Miller didn’t want to lose any more time away from the show pen. A friend’s horse came up for sale around the same time as Tosh’s injury. This gelding, Just Get N Zipped (Tigger), become the newest addition to the family.
Miller showed him from May through July, when he was then sold to another friend. At the time of his sale, Miller and Tigger were leading the state of Michigan in Youth Western Riding. (pictured left)
It was also July when Miller had the opportunity to try yet another gelding that would soon prove to be the focus of her obsession. His name was Inkryminating (Austin).
“Whoa. That was the first thing that entered my mind after first riding him. He was perfectly in sync with me; I felt like a little queen riding him. I was hooked.”
The sale was complete in July. Miller was more than ready to begin her journey with Austin, and says “I cried when I found out we officially bought him.”
Their first show together was just a few short weeks after the purchase. The new team posted wins in halter, showmanship, equitation, hunter under saddle, western pleasure, western riding, and trail.
Miller said it is difficult to put into words what makes Austin so special. “Austin and I are still new to each other, and we have a lot to learn, but I feel like I have had a connection with him since our very first ride. Out of all the horses I have ridden, there has only been one Austin.”
When asked about Austin’s personality, Miller couldn’t help but smile. “He’s always licking someone, and edging his way closer to you. He wants to be in your personal space; he’s extremely affectionate. When you see him perform in the show ring, you wouldn’t think that. But he has a goofy side; it’s what I love most about him.”
As Congress is underway, Miller and Austin are here competing for the first time as a team. Although four months is a short time to come together for such intense competition, Miller says she is extremely excited. “Now that I am in the 15-18 age group, I know I needed a boost to be able to compete. I believe Austin helps take me to the next level. Words can’t even describe how excited I am to have him as my partner.”
Miller says she is most excited to compete in the equitation, trail, and hunter under saddle at Congress because they have fun together in those events.
All horse owners knows that it takes patience and time to really mesh with a new horse. For Miller, she used her short amount of time to prepare for Congress as motivation. “Realizing that I only had a limited amount of time to prepare set the atmosphere and mindset to get things done before we entered the Congress show pen for the first time.”
They also took extra steps in order to feel more prepared. Showing in other states with new competition helped them come together even further as a team. Miller says her goal this year is to have fun and clean rides.
“I would like to thank Mike Szucs for allowing us to purchase Austin, and my grandparents and mom for the opportunity to have him as my own. Thank you to my trainer Michelle Warda for having everlasting patience, and pushing Austin and I to be our best.”
Miller has had a great start to her first Congress with Austin, placing sixth in the NYATT Showmanship on Sunday and 12th in the Novice Youth 14-18 Western Riding. This event is brand new to them both, and she says it felt amazing to start off on such a great note and solid ride.
“We are happy and thankful to be back,” Miller’s mom, Amy Holek, comments after watching Miller show again at Congress.
Good luck to Miller and Inkryminating the remainder of their first Congress together!
CLICK HERE to view her ad in the Congress issue of GoMag
Note from the author:
In the face of the few tragedies that people have faced on their way to Congress this year, I genuinely hope this story reaches you and comforts your fears. Miller represents one’s ability to persevere through some of life’s greatest challenges, and find peace within herself and others. As a community of horse men and women, we all understand the love and time we pour into our equine friends. The loss of one loss is a loss to us all.
We wish you all success, laughs, and safety. Enjoy the magic of the 50th All American Quarter Horse Congress!
