1.) What are some of the highlights and successful moments in the 2015 show season for you?
Being on this list is a HUGE highlight. I have so much respect for my fellow nominees. The biggest highlight though has to be breeding a two time national champion in Wata Zimple Man RS and probably will be for many years, perhaps forever. He won the HA WP AAOTR 19-39 and the HA WP Maturities, which was just a stacked class. I have to admit I had a ton of butterflies in my stomach seeing the warm up full of really nice horses. To be called back in for the ten was such a relieve, to win wow I am still not sure that happened. His barn name “Howie” is after my late father and it makes everything that horse does even more special. Truly one of the most honest horses I have ever been on and named after the best man I ever knew, it’s a really special bond I have with that horse. And its a highlight any time I get to show Koweta Phoenix, my horse of a lifetime, he’s really taught me so much in and out of the show ring.
2.) Who has been your biggest influence in the Arabian breed in getting you to where you are today?
There’s several influences I have. First, my father who taught me everything I know about competition. Although not a horse person at all (that came from my mom’s side) he was extremely competitive and taught be early on with any sport to be the best you can be and never settle for mediocrity. He was such a cool man. Second, my first trainer Billy Ridgill, was and is just an incredible horseman. I have so much respect for him and am so lucky to have and still learn from him. He’s our farrier and listening to his stories is something I really look forward to on our visits. Rick and Laura Gault have been probably the biggest influences in the last few years. Rick is ridiculously talented and has a work ethic I so admire. He does such a great job with all of our horses and has taught me so much. He doesn’t take short cuts with horses or with his riders, and I love that about him. If you ride with Rick you learn to really ride not just be a passenger. Laura has become my dearest friend and a hell of a competitor herself and has given me a great deal of confidence. She’s a wonderful support system for all the riders in their barn, she once told me when I first came in the barn something I will never forget and that’s ride cocky even if you are having a terrible ride, don’t let it show on your face and those words of wisdom stick with me whenever I show. I could go on and on about the Gaults, just an incredible couple. My fellow competitors are big influences as well, especially those at RGT. Seeing everyone work so hard motivates me immensely it’s just a great group at Rick’s some of my most favorite people. Lastly, my mother and grandmother. They have supported every dream I have ever had and have always had a hard time saying no to me. My mother in particular has bent over backwards to make all of this happen. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have this support system.
3.) If someone were to describe you, what would they say about you?
Clearly from reading this bio someone would say I am long winded.
4.) Name one show ring quirk you have:
I don’t like to be dressed early, which drives a lot of people crazy because they think I will be late for my class. I think this used to bug Rick a lot but he seems to be over it now. I also like to get in first or very early on to get settled in, and always try to line up at the end of the lineup closest to the gate. And probably my biggest thing is that I am very weird about my horses tails, and prefer for only certain people to brush them out before my class (drives my mom crazy because I tell her how to do it every time, one of these days she’s going to smack me), I normally get them picked out and brushed out at the stalls too so minimal brushing is needed at the ring when I am already up on my horse. I hope that’s my only diva thing.