Training and Showing
Mary Broyles:
My story is nothing special.
Even growing up in suburbia Louisville, the site of a field of horses or horse trailers on the highway was common. I remember traveling in the back seat of the family sedan, when we would pass a horse trailer I would strain to see a horse and wonder where they were going and how exciting it would be to be with them.
I did attend the World Championship Horse show during the Kentucky State Fair a few times. I knew that it was always there but did not realize until later what an honor it was for Kentucky to host that show every year. I was in awe of the majesty and splendor of those beautiful horses and the poise of the riders. At night, I dreamed of one day riding one of those magnificent high stepping beauties with no mane and flowing tails. I truly believed that my dreams would be the extent of my "horse career".
Well, Ms. Suburbia, grew up, became a Registered Nurse and married a wonderful man.
This wonderful man, Tony a.k.a. “Stretch”, decided that he needed to pursue his profession of fire fighting in his birth town of Danville, Ky. I encouraged his career decision and we moved to Danville, however, I told the family I was sure we would be back in Louisville within 6 months; after all we were "city people".
Well, let me say, God puts you where you need to be if you will just be still, listen and obey. Over the next 12 months: we met the God positioned people to find me a great nursing job, that led to meeting Bill and Mary Cole - folks that showed horses for 20 years - who invited me to "come and visit the barn", which after one visit resulted in us accompanying them to one night horse shows, followed by weekend shows and learning everything they and all their horses friends would teach us. I believe that only in this horse country, Kentucky, can a person with no horse knowledge be exposed to the finest horse people in the world. These fine folks were and still are willing to instruct, demonstrate and share not only their knowledge but their talents and their horses.
Kentucky travels, I discovered that there were dozens of World Champion American Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walking horses and American Quarter horses in our back yard. There were also many breeds that I had never heard of: Paso Fino, Icelandic, POA, Rocky Mountain, Haflinger and various types of draft horses all within an hour drive of our central Kentucky home. Our search ended when we met Chief, a 4 year old quarter gelding. Mary C and I had calculated that if we got Stretch a horse first then getting mine would be easier. We were right. Two months later I got KC, my "dream" 3 gaited saddle bred in August. At 31 years old I was finally going to live the dream.
Chief lived with us for the rest of his life, teaching Stretch, myself and a multitude of others the art and love of riding, playing and enjoying a once in a lifetime equine partner. KC…..well, let's say I did fulfill my dream of riding a no mane, flowing tail horse but I decided that my bones and a cut back saddle were soon parted. So, KC was replaced with my soul mate, Guntown Katie, a 2 year old sorrel quarter mare. Again, God is always with us and sometimes throws us into a relationship that we may not understand at the time. Katie was purchased at a horse sale and within three days was lying down lame. By this time, she and I had fallen in love and I knew that she needed me as much I as needed her. She restored my desire to show again and I restored her health. Over the next several months; with the assistance of a talented farrier, an understanding veterinarian, a resourceful and ever expanding horse family and pulling from several years of nursing experience, Katie and I made it to the show pen. I do not remember our first blue ribbon but, we had many awards and honors. We had a great time, made great friends and turned a "stress relieving past-time "into a passion for all things equine.
After a freak accident, Katie was retired from showing and produced our very first colt.
Spud, because of his color, introduced Stretch and I to our current horse family, the family of IBHA and ABRA. Since Spud, we have been blessed with many talented individuals and have been able to show them from Wisconsin to Oklahoma. But, it's always good to come home to the best horse country in the world, Kentucky.
Now, when I see a horse trailer, I still strain to see a horse but now I wonder they're going the same place we are.