GoHorseShow.com would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. We decided to ask several people involved in the various aspects of the horse industry what they are thankful for in their lives and whether they have any Thanksgiving traditions. There was an overwhelming response from many in the industry, and we would like to share their thoughts with our readers. See what your friends had to say!
Elizabeth Borders—-Of course, my friends and family. However, I want to specifically touch on how thankful I am for everyone in the horse industry who has offered an overwhelming support of love and care in the past month. It has been such a blessing to see how the friendships we build in this crazy horse world have absolutely no comparison.
Lauren Michelle Kelly— I am thankful for my health! Since I’ve been with my new doctors, I have been IV therapy-FREE for more than 5 months. Which is almost 3 months more than normal. I’m also thankful for all of the support that I have been given by my horse show family. I show with a great group of people that are always supportive of me and help each other out when one of us is in need.
Tim Kimura—-Thankful for having Tiina, Coco and Gucci, I’m thankful the Lakers are playing well, and I am thankful I never get a break must draw patterns for Gold Coast, Gulf CoAst, Sun Circuit, Dixie Nationals that’s alot of patterns so it’s football and drawing courses over turkey!
Lisa Krohn—-I am very thankful for my family, and in particular that my brother continues to be in remission from a nasty type of cancer. They only gave him a year to live and he’s still doing great three years later! The one thing we always do as a family is take a walk before eating the big meal, and we always serve one of my Mom’s recipes, Corn Souffle.
Evan Kaplow—Very thankful for my wonderful wife and three boys. Every year we play the Mudbowl Championship, where me and my buddies try to relive our glory days on the football field. Every year we get older and the competition gets younger as we play the graduating seniors. The time for recuperation also increases every year! Lots of fun especially with my familty there to watch and cheer.
Meagan Dean—-Our Thanksgiving tradition is to just spend time with family and friends. Sometimes we have a big crew at the house, and other times it’s just my parents and I. We generally wake up in the mornings and fix a heavy breakfast, and then snack throughout the day to tide us over until we can dig into the turkey for dinner. It may be a simple occasion, but it’s what makes us happy! As for what I’m thankful for, I’d definitely have to say that I’m thankful for friends and family. There are so many people that helped us before, during, and after I was injured… I don’t even think I can begin to tell them how thankful I am to have such an awesome support group. They’re definitely blessings in disguise!
Kyle DeFreece—-I’m thankful for my wonderful family and friends. They’re always there for me with love and encouragement. I’m also thankful for the ability and opportunity to do what I love, and I think we should all be thankful of our millitary. They fight for our freedom so that we may live our lives as we so choose.
Rheagan Bryant—I am very thankful for my family, horse, and friends. They all mean a lot to me. I am thankful for my wonderful horse trainers and my family who supports my love for horses.
Denton DeBuhr—-I am thankfull for being able to spend the holiday with my dad, brothers, and girlfriend. Also, for being able to do what I love to do for a living.
Debbi Trubee—-I guess I am most thankful for the good health of my family and close friends. It’s one of those things that is totally out of our control when bad things happen but it makes us really appreciate them being here and not taking that for granted.
Marissa Dalton—-I am thankful for so much…My amazing family, trainers and friends that have been put in my life, as well as how greatful/thankful for all God has done for me…We dont really have any family traditions but we always get together with the family and if there is an Ohio State Football game you can count on my family being there!
Adam Wainscott—-I am most thankful for my family who always support me, my close group of friends who always make me laugh and my amazing girlfriend who is there for me no matter what, and is my biggest fan.
Erin Heckaman—I am very thankful for my healthy family. The boys brings us great joy. As for tradition we are starting something new this year. Thanksgiving at our house and I am cooking a big meal with the help of my mother in law and sister inlaw. Should be interesting.
Jessica Baird—-For as long as I can remember, I have been at the Gordyville Turkey Circuit show for Thanksgiving. However, this year, I am spending the holidays with my family. I am so thankful to have such a supportive, loving family and it will be wonderful to spend the whole holiday weekend with everyone. Not only am I so thankful for my family and friends, but with being so passionate about showing, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to have such an amazing horse who continues to make dreams come true.
Lindsey McMullen—-I’m thankful to be able to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. I feel blessed to be healthy and have a healthy family. It’s all the small things I’m grateful for this year! We are fortunate to be able to come home to a warm home and barn full of horses. Sometimes we take all those things for granted and get wrapped up in what we do and don’t have, but I’ve never felt more thankful to have a loving family and good health this holiday season!
Gillian Grace Chant—-There is SO much to be thankful for! I’m thankful for good health in my family, friends, and horses; incredible, supportive trainers; my school who works with me to allow me to go out of town for shows; my sister who happens to be my best friend; and my mom and dad who work so hard to support my dream of showing horses. My family is going to New York City this year for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. In NYC we’ll do some shopping, see a couple of shows on Broadway, and I want to go to a few museums but I don’t know if I can convince anyone else to go with me 🙂 On Thursday morning we’ll be at the parade route at 6:30 to claim a good spot! We’ll have Thanksgiving dinner together as a family at a restaurant in NYC and you can count on us NOT participating in Black Friday shopping! Maybe just online shopping that day–it seems safer 🙂
Jonathan Nowacki—-Well what we all try to do as a family is have a meal together and say thanks for everything we have been blessed with!!! It is the sitting down and being with family that make thanksgiving so special to us! My mother always prepares an amazing holiday dinner for the whole family.. It is the one true holiday were we are home and not at a horse show… I kinda try to make thanksgiving and christmas one holiday because I’m never home for christmas and new years I’m always at the gold coast! That’s what makes thanksgiving so special to me… Spending time with the ones you love!
Lauren Halvorson—This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for how supportive my family is. Being in college has made me realize just how nice it is to have people who love me unconditionally is. My family traveled a lot this fall to watch me compete with the Oklahoma State Equestrian team. Having their love and support is the greatest feeling ever!
Clarice Cooper–I feel like Ryan and I are two of the luckiest people in the world. We have great love and support from our family that can not be matched and our daughter brings us great joy every day. But years ago if it would not have been for Dont Skip Zip, I would not have Ryan, Cooper, and our extended horse show family. We will share thanksgiving with my family here in Georgia and then Christmas in Nebraska. For us thanksgiving is all about family playing cards and having fun. I can’t wait. I believe I can already smell the turkey … wait it is not in the deep fryer yet!
Beth Case–I’m thankful for all the good horses I get to ride and the people who let me ride them. And my husband. The only tradition we really do is go over to Tammy and Sharnai’s house every year.
Carrie Russom Quraishi—-I’m thankful that I actually get to spend Thanksgiving at home with my family. For so many years I was always at a horse show somewhere over the holiday. Now I get to enjoy being around my grandparents, parents, brothers, and my little nieces and baby nephew. I’m very thankful that I have such a supportive family and husband and also for having such great horses and the ability to show them with my extended horse show family! I have decided to start a new Thanksgiving tradition by not spending hours cooking in the kitchen; but instead pre-ordered a delicious homemade (by someone else of course) carrot cake that will make my life much easier and so I can enjoy the time with family.
Allysn Jackson—-I am thankful to live in the United States of America where I can pursue my passions freely. I am also thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect those freedoms. I am thankful for a wonderful boyfriend and partner who supports me in everything I do. I am also thankful for my family.
Susan Ostrander—-I am thankful for so many things. First, family because they are the most important. Of course, we consider our horses part of our family! Second, we are thankful for good health. Third, we are thankful for good friends! And fourth, we are thankful for the soldiers who keep us safe here at home.
Haley Hine-—I am very thankful for a lot of things in my life. First, God for blessing me with a wonderful life, loving parents, great horses, and great friends. Second, my mother, Rebecca Hine, has gone above and beyond the call of duty for me so I could show and do well. I would not have been able to do it without her. Third, my dad, Tony Hine, for not only taking the time to homeschool me but also being a very loving dad and of course taking care of all our animals while we are at the shows. Fourth, my very loving grandmother, Vivian Harrison who not only supports my showing but also is always there for me when I need her. Fifth, all the great horses I have had. I went from 1st place at a little open show when I was 4 years old with my pony Sweettart to 3X PHBA-Y World Champion in 2009 with my mare MWS Twice as Flashy. Also all the other great horses in between. Now I am starting a new chapter in my life with a new horse next year in the 3 yr old Non Pro Western Pleasure classes. Fifth, my awesome trainers Justin and Joy Wheeler who have helped me so much in the past year and I look forward to many more years with them. Last but not least, my friends, I feel so blessed to have so many great friends here at home and at the shows. Thank you all for being apart of my life.
Fonda Nott-Powell—-I am especially thankful for my loving and supportive family, without them it would be impossible to make it day to day!! I love them very much!! Sometimes people forget how important family is, but when health issues come into play…. your family just comes together. I have some of the most amazing friends. I am so very thankful for my friends. I have a hand full of very close friends that I can say are always there no matter what, they are the best. I finally went to a show… well Congress after being MIA after a year and in my “Iron Horse” (wheelchair). I didn’t realize how many friends I had. It was great. Everyone was so caring, thoughtful and awesome. It’s so fabulous how our horse show world/family is when they realize that one of the members is in need of a pick me up. So as we all are getting ready for Thanksgiving, my family and I will have family and friends totalling of about 33 people. I’m thankful for everyone. I hope everyone eats way too much and is safe and happy!
Cody Fisher—-We always celebrate Thanksgiving with my father’s side of the family. His mother, my Nanny, as I call her, is one of those real grandmother cooks who doesnt use recipes and everything tastes incredible! We get together with his brother and three sisters and all of their family so it is a big crowd and a lot of fun. After gourging ourselves, we will watch the Cowboys play. As far as what I am most thankful for, I am a first time Dad and the miracle of my daughter has been the best blessing ever! She has definitely blessed me in the most wonderful way and is the love of my life. Also, I am thankful for all of my friends and extended horse show family. I recently went through some old scrap books from our wedding shower, baby shower, and other life events. After reading cards, the lists of all who gave presents and attended parties, I was moved at how blessed my family and I am truly are. Our (horse) shows have been well supported since we started managing them four years ago. We have been blessed by so many for the extra income that provides for family and the charities that we support. So to all of my friends reading this, THANK YOU AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Brittany Blankenship—- I am definitely thankful for my family, boyfriend, and friends as they are such a big part of my life. I really value the relationships I have with all of them and can always count on them! Of course I’d have to also say that I’m thankful for the horses we have as well and that God has blessed us with being able to enjoy many special experiences with them, past and present. As far as any traditions go, I almost always spend Thanksgiving with my parents and sister as well as some of our Florida relatives. We have picked up and headed to a horse show a few times in the past over the holiday, but for the most part it’s always about family! Thanksgiving would not be complete without my Mom’s mashed potatoes and biscuits – that’s probably my favorite thing – eating all the good stuff!
Kerry Bradac—-I am thankful that I live in America. That every day my family and friends can enjoy their Freedom. I am thankful to those who have sacrificed their lives, hopes and dreams to insure a better tomorrow for us all. I am most thankful for being able to spend another Holiday Season with my 84 year old Mother-In-Law, Gertrude, who we almost lost this past July to a heart attack. It was a very difficult two months, as Scott’s sister, Lana, passed away in August from a year long battle with Cancer. Gertrude has now buried 3 children and two husbands…I am thankful that God gave Trudy the much needed strength to get through this all and I pray that he continues to heal her heart and soul.
I am truly thankful for all I have been given in my life. From a wonderful family, to my friends old and new, and to being able to live the life I dreamed about when I was a child…A life filled with the beauty of horses. I am truly thankful for all I have been given and all that I have achieved in my life. I feel the best is yet to come.
Teresa Sullivan—Well, this year I’m thankful for having some of the best customers anyone could ask for–they are warm and caring and have great horses that keep me grounded. I’m thankful that I was able to get my whole family together this summer for a fun filled weekend of waterskiing; we haven’t been all together in 6 years. Also very thankful for all the great people who sponsored Nicole Sparrow and I on our 3 day Susan G Koman Cancer walk this year! What an amazing experience and cause…
Kristy Starnes—We have so much to be thankful for… We have a beautiful, healthy baby boy,Logan. Our parents who help us out with everything and anything (My dad will be helping us pick stalls and put horses on the walker on Thanksgiving so our help can have the day off)! Our great assistant and gohorseshow.com hottie, Scott Weiss, and our farm help Shawn. All of our wonderful clients who put so much trust in us with their horses. And of course all of our friends who are there for us no matter what. We have been very fortunate this year to have had an amazing show season and to have made some great memories along the way! Although some look at this time of year as an ending, we choose to look at it as a beginning. We have the next group of pleasure & hunt seat prospects in the show barn and have started working with them. And with each lap they make in the round pen they are a little closer to maybe being the next champion! It’s just a great time of year!
In 2009 we held our first thanksgiving in our new home and plan to do the same this year! It is a pretty simple affair but after the Congress and World shows we are ready for a slower pace! It gives us time to reflect on the past show season and prepare for the upcoming year with both new colts and previous year’s Futurity horses moving up in the ranks! Happy holidays!
Nancy Wilkerson—I am thankful for my family and friends! I mean that from the bottom of my heart!! I realize that much more these days. When you go through a tragedy like I have, it could be death, divorce, sickness scare, anything..you realize how important they really are!! Sad you have to go through something so horrific to see that! I am thankful now I see how important they all really are to me!! No traditions!! We work around everybodys busy schedules just to be together!! With a very small family we can travel, we are in NYC for Macys day parade!! Can’t wait to see my sons reactions with all the balloons!! Happy thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family!!
Noelle Schmidt—I am thankful for my wonderful son Kyle. Additionally when I reflect back upon my life, I am grateful for my lifes wonderful experiences, including my business career with the familys dealership, the sucess and health of my stallion, Chocolatey and the love and support of my Mother and Father. These things are what I reflect upon and what I take with me daily through life.
Lori Bucholz—I’m thankful for my health, that I have a warm bed to sleep in and food on my table. I’m also thankful that my family and friends (2 and 4 legged!) are all healthy and happy, including my 86 year old parents. I’m also thankful for all the friends and family who made time for us last September and came to Amarillo, TX for the dedication of the donors wall in front of the AQHA Hall of Fame and Museum and the unveiling of the bronze of Rick’s saddle. It was a day we’ll remember the rest of our lives!
Joan Schroeder—I am thankful to God first who has blessed me with a great family, special horses, friends and the will to dream big! Turkey day starts about 4 a.m. every year…love the smell in my kitchen on Thanksgiving Day!
Katy Krshka—I am thankful for my family, great horses, and all the wonderful things I have been blessed with in my life. One fun tradition my mom, brother and I have is trying to find one new thing to try or make for Thanksgiving every year. It’s either always a hit, or we won’t ever try it again!
