GoHorseShow reached out to several individuals in our horse industry about their most moving experiences or memories of 2012. As is life, 2012 was full of highs and lows in the horse industry. From exhibitors winning their first World Championship to people having to deal with the death of their favorite horse. The horse community as well as the rest of the World was shocked by the recent elementary school shooting in Connecticut. Two of the beautiful angels, Jessica Rekos and Avielle Richman, will be remembered for their love of horses as well as their passion for learning. It is well known that when tragedy strikes our industry, horse lovers always come to the aid of their fellow horseman. Let’s find out what has touched some of the members of our horse family in 2012.
George Ready–We have been completely overwhelmed by the love, prayers and support for Banks and our family during this time of trouble. God has blessed Banks with friends all over the world who have had him at the top of their prayer lists and who have had fundraisers and made donations to help cover his medical expenses. The outpouring has been amazing! Banks has personally come from a condition that the doctors said would not improve much to the point he is now coming home just before Christmas. While he has a long way to go, he has come a long long way through the Grace of God and the power of prayer. He is talking and walking and has expressed that he is ready to come home, is ready to ride a horse again and wants to go back to college. He is very determined to recover and pushes himself to excel. We are forever indebted to the horse community for all they have done for us and continue to do.
Jody Quiram–I would say that would have to be watching, interacting and admiring the riders with disability classes at Gordyville. Devin Robertson, one of our exhibitors, battles everyday with Spinocellebellar Ataxia. She just amazes me. She is wheelchair bound but shows no matter how hot or how long she has to wait around for her class. Her life expectancy is not long but she always has a smile and a kind word to say. We are so blessed to have these riders at our show. The human spirit is unstoppable when combined with a horse. The other moving moment for me was watching my dad, Gordon Hannagan accept his induction into the AQHA Hall of Fame in Vegas. My dad has always had a connection with people. His speech was supposed to be five minutes and ended up being 39 minutes. They could not get him off the stage. He talked of all his friends in the industry and told great stories. Bruce McCarty, a longtime friend and ringman for my dad told him, “Gord you had them eating out of your hand, we just didn’t have anything to sell them.”
Ruth Ellen–My most moving moments of 2012 was the
time I spent at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in
Nairobi. There, baby elephants who have lost their mothers (almost
entirely due to poaching) are given a new chance at life and to
ultimately be reintroduced into the wild. They have witnessed their
mothers being killed by man and many times are found beside their
mother’s carcass. To witness the trust and love that these traumatized
orphans are able to give to their devoted keepers is amazing. To know
each orphan’s story is heartbreaking. To realize that elephant family
ties mimic human family ties is an awakening: they rejoice over birth,
they mourn their dead, they remain in family groups for their entire
lives. I felt privileged to spend four days with the keepers and the elephants who now think of these humans as “family”.
Karen Misko–My most moving moment in 2012 was on July 6, when my daughter, Morgan, got on a horse for the first time since December 30, 2010. “Beauty” took complete care of her. Many people do not know that Morgan suffers daily from a rare bone marrow and neurological disease that keeps her in chronic pain and with severe fatigue. Morgan was really suffering from the severe fatigue from December 20, 2011 until April 1, 2012 which resulted in being bedridden and sleeping for 20-22 hours a day. She was getting weekly and biweekly infusions from January until August. The infusions started working so that Morgan felt strong enough to try riding again in July. I was so very proud of her daily courage and tenacity to “beat” the betrayal of her body.
Danica Weber–My most cherished memory of the year was probably the ones that were spent at the barn. If it wasn’t the long summer days that we spent getting ready for the Youth World Show–it had to be helping Jenny Welhouse’s (my trainer) six year-old daughter Denim Welhouse build her confidence. After she had a scare at the Region 3, she was worried about getting back on a horse again. I never would have thought it would be my four year-old pony who gave Denim the confidence to ride again. Whether I am at a horse show or a cattle show, I set goals and sometimes it’s not always about winning because succeeding isn’t always measured by the awards won in the show pen.
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Jablonowski–My most moving moment in 2012–it’s very easy but not
really a moment, it’s a feeling. I’ve met so many people who believed in
me and who encouraged me with their words and gestures of support. I
was truly touched by the kindness and friendship I received in 2012.
Jerry Allen–2012 has been challenging, since I have a three year old mare that I have been riding for only a year. She is a Last Detail and Dee Invitation foal that I raised on a bucket. Since she was six days old, she drank milk out of a bucket. I was not sure she was old enough to compete in my favorite class, Showmanship, but I was encouraged to try. After a couple of shows, I was also encouraged to qualify her for the East Novice Championship Show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When I was at the barn where I keep her, there were two young ladies age 7 and 8 that would encourage me to teach them about showmanship. We are now planning to find a show for the two girls and their dad to make their debut. It has been such an honor making friends with these two ladies as well has having their dad as my friend. It was so exciting to be a part of the first Novice Championship Show. The two young girls came with me to Murfreesboro to help me and Adeetailedinvitation get ready for the Showmanship class. What a feeling to help two young ladies become involved with such a great Association. Thank you AQHA!
Taylor Hanes–I would definitely say that 2012 has been a very trying time for my family. I have been so moved by all of the support from the horse community in regards to my grandfather’s recent passing and the brain surgery of my one year-old niece, Alexis Hanes. This year, I had to put the horses aside and focus on what matters most, but I am so blessed to have such a great support system throughout the horse community. Thank you so much to all those that send thoughts and prayers to my family.
Suzy Jeane–It was a special moment when the little girl that lost her horse in the Spratto’s barn fire borrowed my son’s all-around horse, Crashin the Bash, to show again. She wound up being top ten in two classes at Congress. Also, judging the Novice Championship show was really rewarding–watching all the great horses taking care of their special cargo.
Jenny Honey–I have had a fantastic 2012–my business is good; my family is doing well; and we have been very successful horse showing–but the highlight has to be when my niece, Natalie and I put together a rummage sale for another employee. She has worked for us for several years, and her husband came down with leukemia in May. He battled hard through several rounds of chemo and Debbie had to miss work a lot. We cleaned out our warehouse and everybody brought items. Debbie’s husband, David, who was only 53 passed away shortly after the sale in October. We were able to raise almost $3,000 to give Debbie and her teenage son.
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Jones–One of my most special opportunities of 2012 was being able to
help Banks Ready with his transfer to Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta.
I was most honored when his father, George, called to see if I would be
able to help in getting him admitted. I was honored that the family
trusted me with something so important to Banks recovery. Fortunately,
everything worked out to Banks best interest. God has blessed me and my
family many times over and this is just one such occurrence. Merry
Christmas!
Cathy Corrigan Frank–Watching my daughter successfully graduate from the walk-trot classes and into the novice youth classes and seeing her improve and utilize her skills along the way, was a special moment for me in 2012. Another moving moment was seeing a show shirt I had donated to the Equestrian with Disabilities division during the NSBA World Show going around the pen with its new owner!
Alexis Pfeiffer–My most memorable moment this year was when my mom won the Congress in the Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. It was very special for me because my mom has ridden all of her life, but when I started showing she took a back seat to help and support me. Then, she found, Its Been Awhile (Ben), and, it was her very first time to show at Congress. I can remember almost shaking I was so nervous–I just wanted her to have a good ride! Then, it came down to the placings. We had a huge group, about 20+ people, who had came to watch her show. Most of them were from our barn. Then, she placed 2nd and 2nd under the first two judges, and I knew she at least needed a first to win because another exhibitor had placed high under both of the first two cards as well. Then, she placed first! Everyone was screaming and cheering. I swear it sounded like we were in a football stadium not at a horse show. I held my breath and she placed first under the last card to clutch the title. I immediately burst into tears. I was so happy for her, and so proud of her! It still brings tears to my eyes.
Kelli Hardy–This year I celebrated a very important anniversary-15 years since my first AQHA show with my gelding, The Indigo Jet. 2012 also celebrated the 10 year anniversary of my wonderful trainer’s business, Eaton-Clark Performance Horses. A great year!
Samantha Chiodo–I would have to say that my most moving moment this year was when I helped Madison Thiel with the showmanship at the Congress. She went from barely getting her horse to trot off in the beginning of the week to fourth place in the 12-14 Showmanship. I’ve never met someone that works as hard as she does and has such a great passion for learning and getting better. It was really awesome to be a part of her success!
Lisa Mathews–My
fondest memory of 2012 has to be watching the Cindy Hess Memorial
Showmanship class at the Western Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association
4th of July circuit. The class was held under the lights in the evening
and was sponsored by the Hess family in memory of Cindy. Cindy lost her
long battle with cancer and was a long time fan and participant in the
showmanship. The turnout of participants, the fun that they had and the
money raised for the Susan G. Komen Society that night was a touching
tribute to a wonderful lady.
