“It was a very hard decision to make, but I have two mares that do the very same events,” Kent Ray Taylor said about the sale. “I decided to accept the offer from the best home Marley could have gone to, which made it a much easier decision. Meg DePalma is the new owner. She shows with Clint Ainsworth. Her kindness and her love for horses and the program she is in was so perfect.”
Blake Weis, who is Kent’s trainer, and Clint have a close relationship, so knowing that Marley would be going to someone who they knew made the sale even easier.
“The biggest thing that is so exciting is that both of the programs work so closely together, and Blake and I have worked closely together for years and years now,” Clint said. “Blake is my best friend. It was very important to Blake and Kent that, for a lack of better words, Marley stays in the family, which she is doing. I would personally like to thank Kent Ray Taylor and Blake Weis for giving us this opportunity that I’m super excited about.”
Meg is looking forward to her future with Marley. The new team plans to show in multiple events.
“She is beautiful and pretty, which is a must for me,” she said. “I love the showmanship and the trail. This was her first senior trail year and she’s coming into her own. Kent and Marley have done so well in the horsemanship, which is what I’m most excited about. I haven’t shown that class in several years. It’s fun to get back in it.”
Marley is a well-proven horse, claiming multiple circuit and NSBA world and reserve world champion titles.
“The thing I love about her the most is, she’s always there to show,” Kent Ray Taylor said. “She’s come a long way and she’s gotten so dependable. She just has a presence whenever she’s doing something. I’ve had her since she was a 3-year-old and she just gets better and better each year.”
The sale originated at the NSBA World Show earlier this year, with Clint and Blake discussing Marley’s future.
“I wasn’t at the NSBA World Show for more than 15 minutes when Clint said, ‘Get your boots on, I want you to try one,’” Meg said. “We went out to the practice pen and there was Marley. I was shocked and confused because I knew Kent just loved her. I rode her for about 20 minutes. Blake and Clint stood in the center and smiled and nodded like they knew it was a match. Blake said, ‘Marley is particular about who she likes, and she likes you!’ We had the deal done before the NSBA show started.”
Clint has been keeping his eye on Marley for a few years, since he and Blake have a close relationship.
“This is a horse that Blake has had for a couple of seasons now, and both of our programs work quite closely together,” he said. “I’ve seen her coming along. In my mind, it was a great match for my rider. It was one of those things that was just the right place at the right time.”
Kent Ray Taylor is sad to see Marley go, but knows she is in good hands.
“I mean, what’s not to love and appreciate,” he said. “I was blessed to own her. I just have been very blessed to have a very gifted horse and trainer. I wish Meg and Marley the absolute best and hope they have an amazing future.”
Meg is thrilled about bringing Marley home, and seeing what they accomplish.
“Thanks to Kent, Blake and Clint. I appreciate them all,” Meg said. “I hope to just do right by her. She’s a very talented and sweet mare that loves to show. It will take some time to become a team, but I look forward to that process the most.”
