Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. Unfortunately, Select Amateur Toni Ward of Brea, California knows this all too well. A few months ago, her life was turned upside down when her husband, Jeffrey Gurzi unexpectedly passed away from a sudden heart attack. That’s when the support of her barn family, Trendsetter Performance Horses, came in to provide support and help her through this devastating tragedy.
So far, at this year’s NSBA World Show, Ward and her horse, Good Cowboy Casanova (Dudley), have brought home two wins and a reserve. With Toni’s overwhelming success, her barn family has been in her corner cheering her on and providing her support throughout the show.
“He was the love of my life and my rock,” Toni shares while fighting back the tears. “He was always with me and never once missed a class or ride. He was my biggest fan. It’s so tough being here without him and not seeing him at the exit gate after my class, especially since I have done so well here this year. I wish I could just get off my horse and give him a big hug.”
Trainer Kellie Hinely told us that Toni has ridden with her for five years. “She and her husband were a big part of our team and my biggest fans,” Kellie shares. “Last year’s NSBA World Show was her first major horse show. This week, Toni has won the Select Color Hunt Seat Equitation, Trail and was Reserve in the Select Color Showmanship and third in the Horsemanship. It’s been fun seeing her progress.”
As a young girl, Toni grew up showing Arabians then stopped for a while before switching to quarter horses about five years ago. “It was my husband who encouraged me to get back into showing. When we were at a show, he was the one that pointed out Kellie and encouraged me to ride with her. He told me that was the team to be on. It is such a happy environment with this group and everyone is like family.”
Two years ago, Toni and Good Cowboy Casanova became a team when she leased the pretty 10-year-old palomino gelding. “I never even tried him out, but Kellie told me he would be a good fit for me,” Ward recalls. “He has the best personality, and it has been fun and exciting to practice and get better as a team.”
Ward told us that the day before her husband passed away, he had talked to Kellie about taking some riding lessons. “Jeffrey wanted to do it as a surprise for me. He was such a brilliant and caring man with a big heart. He would always get so nervous when I showed, but he was always there to meet me at the back gate.”
Toni said she would like to thank her barn family for the support and love they have provided her during this challenging time in her life.
As the saying goes, “Life is precious – cherish every moment and hold your loved ones close.”
