Spotlight on exhibitors series!

It all started nine years ago while trail riding with her Girl Scout troop.  The two years following that first trail ride Jenny McGowan begged her mom for a horse of her own.  Jenny’s mom did what most parents would do and compromised with her daughter and allowed Jenny to take a couple of riding lessons.

 Jenny took lessons for a couple of years and leased a pony named Chico before getting her first horse, a registered American Saddlebred named Flashes Irish Melody (aka Melody).  Her first class with Melody was Juvenile W/T.  From there this fun and versatile American Saddlebred took Jenny in to classes such as the Juvenile W/T/C, Equitation, Pleasure Pony, Open English Pleasure, Show Pleasure, Costume Class, Ride-A-Buck (Melody’s Personal Favorite) and Drunkard’s Paradise.  In the costume class Jenny’s theme was Noah’s Ark where she dressed up as Noah and Melody was the ark; complete with two zebras, two lions, two birds and an assortment of other animals!  As for Ride A-Buck, can you imagine trotting and cantering around the ring, bareback on an American Saddlebred?  Anyone who has seen her in the ring will tell you this girl can ride! 

Jenny pictured with her first American Saddlebred, Flash’s Irish Melody

  That’s been over four years ago. Today as I’m catching up with this extraordinary sixteen year old, I didn’t expect to hear that her list had grown from having one horse to four: 

·        Calloway’s Wind Chill (Zip)    Jenny’s long awaited gaited horse.

·        Champagne Spool (Bob)       Jenny’s pleasure horse.

·        Flash’s Irish Melody                Jenny’s teacher and long time companion

·        York’s Double Trouble           Jenny’s baby who celebrated his 1^st birthday on June 8^th. 

Her other animals include three cats and nine fish.  “My main goal this year is to get with my new gaited horse and, of course, have a good time!”   She laughs as she tells me “I’ll show anything!”

      Calloway’s Wind Chill (Zip)

“My favorite moment or memory is probably my first ride with Champagne Spool (Bob) because eight months ago, he was turned out to pasture and half starved.  He was real green.  Laura brought him to the barn, my family bought him and I began training him on my own.  It’s been such a thrill to see him turn in to a show horse and know I’ve helped get him to where he is now.”  Why the name Bob?  “Funny you should ask, when the horse first came to the barn he had open sores and was very thin, like a Bag Of Bones, hence the name, BOB!” 

  Champagne Spool (Bob)

Jenny rides with Laura Schuda at Honeywood Farm and her favorite colors just happen to be Honeywood’s barn colors, navy blue and silver!  While away from the barn Jenny plays flute and piccolo.  She is still in Girl Scouts and participates in 4-H.  When asked if there was anyone she wanted to recognize while she had the KVHA spotlight on her she replied, “Thank you Laura (Schuda) and Sandy (Preston) for teaching me how to ride and thanks to my parents for supporting me.”  As for upcoming equestrians Jenny can’t help but to smile when she offers this advice, “Never give up and NEVER stop begging your mom (for lessons)!!!”

 Hey, what ever happened to the Costume class!