Starting out as a four year-old, Nicole Griffo, never imagined she would be attending the AQHYA World Show merely seven years later. Even though seven years may not seem very long to many adults, to children, seven years is a lifetime. Within those seven years, Nicole Griffo has learned how to ride, show, and become the competitor she is, but not without trials. Even though this girl is young, she has been through a whirlwind of experiences.
The New York native currently rides and shows, Factual Encounter, an 11 year-old gelding by Indian Artifacts. Griffo currently shows “Brunswick” in the hunter under saddle and showmanship events. Nicole, coincidentally also 11, has always been involved with horses since she can remember. “I drove my mom nuts until she took me to a local barn to ride. From then on, I spent every day in the barn with Mark Potter learning to ride.”
After learning how to ride and wanting to show at a competitive level, Nicole bought Brunswick, but something very unfortunate happened. “In April 2012, he injured his back hind leg so severe that he was at Cornell Equine Hospital for three weeks,” Nicole told GoHorseShow. “He may have never been sound again.”
While visiting the gelding during those three weeks, Nicole felt helpless, like she couldn’t do anything for him. “It was so tough because he is so big, but, yet, he was so helpless,” Nicole recalls. “After he came home, he needed to have his bandages changed every other day and be on stall rest. It was so hard because Brunswick loves to run outside.”
After a slow recovery process, Nicole was able to ride in August and was able to show soon afterwards. “I was so nervous, but he was back and I could tell he was happy. I was so excited at our first show, he not only rode great, but I felt so good on him. Everyone was there, my friends, Brunswick’s previous owners, my mom, my trainers, Mark and Tyler, and we won! It was so great to share such a success story!” Nicole proudly said.
That October, Nicole and Brunswick showed at the Quarter Horse Congress, her first time ever. She finished fourth overall in the Youth 11 and under Hunter Under Saddle class, fifth overall in the Novice Youth 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle class and was a finalist in the Youth 11 and Under Showmanship.
Her trainer, Tyler Shultz, could not have been prouder. “When I was at the Congress and I came out after my class, I saw how proud Tyler was of me. He cried!” Nicole said.
Now, after a complete year, the 11 year- has qualified in the Youth Hunter Under Saddle class at the Youth World. “I am really excited to just experience the World Show and try my best. My goal eventually would be to win it! I am nervous but excited.” Nicole said.
Nicole’s mother, Cindy Griffo, could not be more excited for her daughter. “She is a very driven kid,” she said. “She loves to ride everyday and can’t get enough. She loves to watch horses on the internet when she isn’t riding and watches to see what else she can do. I am very proud of her and how she handles riding plus she is a very fun kid!”
It comes to no surprise that Nicole wishes to be a horse trainer once she grows up, but she still has a long time to pursue her career goals. For now, she concentrates on presenting herself and Brunswick, at the Youth World, competing against exhibitors seven years older then herself.
GoHorseShow wishes Nicole Griffo and Factual Encounter good luck at their first, but far from last, appearance at the Ford Youth World Show. Click here to check out her ad in the July issue of GoMag.
