The crowd was beyond excited on Saturday afternoon when they saw the legendary mare, Snap Krackle Pop, Blake Weis, Hollie Byers and Lucas Molnar enter the Coliseum for the EWD Walk/Trot Western Pleasure – Supported class. The team did amazing and was named the unanimous 2017 Congress Champions.
Hollie Byers of LaPorte, Indiana has been involved in the AQHA industry for many years. During her youth career, she met Blake Weis and they quickly became friends. The duo went on to school together in Montana and ended up working for Reid Thomas and his mother’s therapeutic riding center.
Byers has been a PATH instructor at the Reins of Life therapeutic riding program for the past six years. When she asked Weis for a horse to use in the EWD class, he offered the idea of Snap Krackle Pop. Byers loved the idea. She had known Brandi’s owners Ed and Twylla Brown for many years and was very hopeful they would say yes.
“I was like, oh my gosh, what would the industry think if Snap Krackle Pop came jogging in for an EWD class,” Byers said. “That’s a huge thing in the industry for someone to lend out an amazing horse like Brandi to an EWD rider. Ed and Twylla are phenomenal people. They have always treated me like family and they are just amazing people. The longest point in time was just waiting for Blake to have enough time to talk to Twylla about it. When he finally asked her, she said, of course Hollie could use her. Then it became a reality and we had to start making plans.”
Molnar has been riding with Hollie for a little over a year now. He has cerebral palsy, and riding horses has helped with his core strength, stretching and overall balance. His family has been a big support system for his horse riding hobby and were very excited to watch him show.
“He had family coming from all over the country to watch him,” Byers said. “They were super excited about it and brought a big Lucas and Brandi entourage. His grandpa is big into horse showing with 4-H and the all around. When I told them about this opportunity, his grandpa was the first to jump on it. He expressed to mom and dad that this was a great opportunity, and he has been the best supporter. His mom and dad have also been great.”
Finding a saddle and an outfit to fit children can be hard. Byers talked about borrowing mostly everything from Weis’ clients. They were very willing and happy to help.
“His barn has been phenomenal with loaning me a small fry saddle and chaps,” Byers said. “All of his clients even offered their horses as back-ups if it didn’t work with Brandi. It’s really cool that we invest so much time and money into this hobby, and at the drop of a hat, it’s all given back. It’s been a cool opportunity.”
Practicing with Brandi before Congress wasn’t an option because of the distance between Byers and Weis. Byers mentioned how she wasn’t too nervous before the class because of the phenomenal horse she was using and having Weis to help with everything.
“He rode her for the first time about twenty to thirty minutes before going into the class,” Byers said. “It was nerve-racking, but it was also the calmest I had ever been going into this. I had Blake, who is one of the best and most capable horsemen I have ever met, leading the horse. I had a horse I know has the biggest heart ever and loves her job. I also had a kid that trusts me. I knew Lucas was going to be okay. He’s worked really hard and was excited about it.”
The quick preparation time paid off and Molnar was the unanimous winner under all four judges. The whole team looked great walking out of the pen with NSBA and Congress Champion trophies.
“It was amazing,” Byers said. “The tears of joy and happiness make it all worth it in the end. This mare is such a special horse. I want to over thank and stress that I am so grateful for Ed and Twylla Brown to give me the opportunity to use this horse. “It’s a big deal to me that they trust me enough and believe in what I do enough to lend me Brandi. Blake also had 17 horses going to Congress and was willing to take time out of his day to help me, and I’m so blessed. More than anything I am so thankful to have those people in my corner. We are all on cloud nine.”
Congratulations to Lucas Molnar and Snap Krackle Pop on your amazing win. We hope to see you back at Congress next year!
