When I think back on the highs and the lows, the struggles and the victories, it seems almost surreal that I was the High Point All-Around Youth for 2008. It all began at the 2007 Congress when my trainer, Michael Colvin, and I started to discuss goals for the upcoming show season. At that time, I was very focused on the 2008 Youth World, which was almost a year away. But later, we discussed the possibility of hauling for the 2009 High Point All-Around Youth which would be my last year of youth.
We quickly realized that in order to accomplish these goals, I would need a new horse. As Michael and I furthered our conversation, we started talking about my favorite horses. The first horse that immediately came to mind was “Im Shy But Deluxe,” the gelding that Whitney Walquist had won the horsemanship at the Youth World with that year. Hearing this, Michael smiled and said, “That’s the one I was thinking of for you.” I told my parents that owning a horse like him would be a dream come true, but I certainly didn’t expect that it would all come together before the Open World Show in November!
Looking back on the year, here are some highlights from 2008:
January
“Travis” and I had our first show together in Tampa at the Gold/Gulf Coast. I felt honored to be partnered up with such a great horse, but I quickly discovered that it would not be easy. I was the most excited about the horsemanship, but by the end of the show it became evident that this would be our toughest class. It just seemed as if we were out of sync and didn’t quite understand each other. We were competitive in the Western Riding and Equitation, but we struggled with the Showmanship and the Horsemanship. Michael kept telling me that the Showmanship would be our best class, but I had serious doubts. I spent most of the show attempting to win Travis over by feeding him treats.
[NPI]/Media/42/jpg/2009/1/scan0002.jpg[/NPI]After Tampa, we caught our breath for a couple weeks and then traveled out to the Sun Circuit in Arizona. We survived the flooded show grounds and our talent as a showmanship team began to surface. The Horsemanship still seemed like a lost cause, but we continued improving. It just seemed like we couldn’t communicate well enough yet to put out great patterns. After some success in the Showmanship, I began to feel more confident in our strengthening bond. (photo
© Jeff Kirkbride)
February-March
We spent February through March at shows in North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri and Georgia. We excelled in Showmanship, and continued our efforts to qualify for the World Show in Horsemanship. I never expected it to be our toughest class, but very slowly, we kept improving. We spent time at the barn, training and preparing with Michael and his assistant, Clint Ainsworth. During these times at home I really started to learn my horse and get together as a team.
[NPI]/Media/42/jpg/2009/1/KaraOldfordVA.jpg[/NPI]April
Virginia was where it all started to come together. We finally had big wins in the Horsemanship along with the Showmanship, Equitation, and Western Riding. The hard work was beginning to pay off. I picked up enough Showmanship points to start to think that the Showmanship High Point might be a possibility. At this time, the All-Around was still far from all of our minds. (photo
© Don Trout)
May-June
After much deliberation, we bit the bullet and decided to do what I fondly refer to as the “suicide run” (Boystown, Texas Classic, and Red Bud). We survived the first two shows in St. Louis and Ft. Worth, but the best memory (if you can call it that) was at the beginning of the Red Bud. On the very first day, Travis and I were warming up for the Showmanship and somehow his foot landed right on my toe. Michael and I laughed about it as I tried not to limp around the showmanship pen. Adrenaline got me through the pattern (I actually picked up 14 points in that class!) until my toe could be doctored up by one of Michael’s customers, Ronnie Kent. At the end of the day we were all laughing about my swollen, black toe. The 38 points I had gotten in my first three classes helped take the pain away and made it even more humorous. Busted toe and all, at the end of these three circuits, we were leading the All-Around High Point and the Showmanship!!! But honestly, we still weren’t convinced to go for it. It was finally starting to feel like Travis and I were a team. This was probably the most exhausting trip, but by the end of the three circuits I picked up 84 points and it all turned out to be worthwhile.
[NPI]/Media/42/jpg/2009/1/KaraOldfordBigA.jpg[/NPI]July
In July, we showed the Big A in Conyers, Georgia, which was nice because it’s just a few miles from Michael’s barn. We continued adding points to all events, especially the showmanship. With the World Show just a month out, Michael and I were mostly concerned with focusing on being prepared for Oklahoma City. We still managed to pick up many points but Youth World was occupying my thoughts at this point. (photo
© Shane Rux)
August
At the Youth World we suffered some disappointing losses, as things just didn’t seem to go our way. However, we learned a lot as a team, and looking back I can definitely say that we became much stronger because of it. When we saw that we were still leading the All Around, we decided that our goal for 2009 was actually in our reach for 2008 instead. It was at this point that we decided that we would continue onto the Reichert to officially pursue the All-Around High Point this year.
September
Our most spontaneous run was definitely out to Santa Barbara. When Michael first talked of going to California, I was a little reluctant! California was about as far from Georgia as we could go, but looking back, it was definitely a smart move. It was the nicest show! The weather was always a perfect 70 degrees and Travis seemed to also enjoy the weather as we performed very well. By the end of the show, we were all talking about when we could go back! It was such a beautiful setting!
October
We were able to hit the Scottsdale Classic on the way back from Santa Barbara and it was a very successful show for us. The weather was great and I got an iPod Touch for winning the All-Around Award and that was probably the best actual prize I won all year. After our west coast run, I was worried that we wouldn’t have enough horse left by the time we got to the Congress. But, I forced myself to focus on the All-Around because we made that our goal.
[NPI]/Media/42/jpg/2009/1/KaraOldfordCongressWinBig.jpg[/NPI]When we got to the Congress, everything just seemed to fall into place. Michael and I practiced Showmanship about seven or eight times before the 15-18 Showmanship, and it definitely paid off. We were first on three out of four cards! Later, we also won the NYATT Showmanship. My dream of winning the Congress came true… twice! (photo
© Jeff Kirkbride)
November-December
With the Congress in the rear-view mirror, I was able to take a deep breath and reflect on the great memories that I shared while on the road with Michael, Clint, and the whole team. We finished up the year with shows in Michigan (my home state), Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and back to Tampa where it had all started just one year before.
Looking back on the year, I can hardly believe that it all happened. It is certainly more than I ever expected for this year! At the end of it all not only did we win the All-Around High Point, but we won the High Points in Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation. We were also second in the Western Riding.
There were so many people who helped along the way and passed along encouraging words. All the miles and tears, late nights, and early mornings of hard work were definitely worth it! I have been blessed with the most amazing horse, supportive parents and family, and talented, dedicated trainers. As Travis and I move into our last year of youth, I have high hopes, and I am looking forward to another great ride!
