| American Paint Horse shines brightly
in spotlight of Fort Worth’s Chisolm Challenge
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—At the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s Chisholm
Challenge, held Jan. 8–9 in Fort Worth, Texas, Paint Horse BR Miss
Macho topped a field of 98 horses to earn the prestigious Carrot
Award, which is presented to one horse that distinguishes itself
through its actions. The Chisholm Challenge is a horse show for
special needs riders from therapeutic riding centers across North
Texas. This year, it attracted about 100 riders from seven centers
and included 65 English, Western, halter and driving classes.
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BR Miss Macho, also known as "Honey,"
topped a field of 98 horses to win this year's Carrot Award at the
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo's Chisholm Challenge. Photo credit: Courtesy APHA/ Kayla
Starnes © 2008.
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Honey and owner Linda Tucker of Stephens, Ark. Photo credit: Courtesy APHA/ Kayla
Starnes © 2008.
Hirez TIFF (7.44 mb) Hirez JPEG (612 kb) |
The showring, however, is the last place owner Linda Tucker of
Stephens, Ark., expected her 13-year-old Paint, BR Miss Macho, also
called “Honey,” to be. This is because Tucker retired the palomino
overo mare, by Barlink Macho Man and out of RHR Breathless, from
breed competition in 2003 when she realized that the horse wasn’t
happy campaigning for high-point awards.
After her show days ended, Honey was unemployed until Tucker
discovered therapeutic riding from a feature story in the Paint Horse
Journal, the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) flagship
publication. When she read the article, the owner realized that
Honey’s gentle nature and love for children made her a perfect
candidate. Upon further research and interviewing people at local
facilities, Tucker loaned the mare to a center called Riding
Unlimited, Inc., located in Ponder, Texas. It was there that Honey
proved a great fit.
"I am a college professor and I often get frustrated by students'
lack-luster performances in the classroom,” said Tucker. “Honey's
unhappiness on the show circuit and her subsequent success as a
therapy horse remind me that there is a place for everyone to shine.
Not all of us are lucky enough to find that place easily. Sometimes,
as was the case with Honey, we have to look a little harder."
Although Tucker thought Honey was through showing, Riding Unlimited
decided to enter the mare in the Chisholm Challenge and invited the
owner to be her handler at the show. Tucker said she felt honored to
be asked and was delighted to take part in the event.
Honey excelled at the show, and in addition to the Carrot Award, she
carried her four exhibitors to four first places and Gist
Silversmiths trophy belt buckles.
Show judge Pat Burton, who is also an APHA-approved judge, said that
Honey’s showring success was not what set her apart when he and the
other two judges picked the 2008 Carrot Award winner—it was her
mental attitude that made her special.
“It really takes a horse that has the right personality and that can
handle an emergency without coming apart,” said Burton. “Honey was
really outstanding in that respect.
“For example, in one of the equitation classes I judged there was a
disturbance. Someone dropped something in the stands and it clattered
loudly right above where Honey was at on the rail. She looked up, and
then never missed a beat. She just kept right on going. The rider who
she had on her at the time could have easily been dismounted had she
jumped off the rail. Those kind of horses don’t come along very often.”
Chisholm Challenge co-founder and chairperson Cheril Becker agrees
that it takes a special horse to help disabled riders show at an
event like the Chisholm Challenge. But she added that these
equestrians are worth it, and echoed Tucker’s sentiments about
finding your place in life.
“Many of these riders are not able to compete in other sports, but
this is their thing, and it’s not just their thing, they’re good at
it,” said Becker. “Not only are they good at it, some of them walk
away with buckles and it’s their opportunity to shine.“
With her talented group of riders, Honey has found her spot to shine
and she is helping them to do the same. Eventually, when the mare has
finished her work at Riding Unlimited, Tucker said that Honey will
retire back at home. According to the proud owner, the Paint mare has
earned it.
More About the Chisholm Trail Challenge
Celebrating its fifth year, the Chisholm Challenge is one of the
largest events of its kind. It is approved by the North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and all participating
centers are also affiliates of the organization.
The benefits of therapeutic horseback riding enable many riders with
physical and mental challenges to strengthen their bodies and empower
their spirits. Horse shows like the Chisholm Challenge promote
further development and provide the exhibitors the opportunity to
show off their talent.
To learn more about the Chisholm Challenge, visit the Fort Worth
Stock Show’s Website at www.fwssr.com. To learn more about
therapeutic riding or to find an event or center near you, visit www.narha.org.
More about Paint Horses
Paint Horses—like Honey—have been a recognized breed since 1962, when
the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) was formed. APHA has
registered more than 900,000 horses in 49 nations and territories
since it was founded 46 years ago, and now serves nearly 100,000
members around the world. APHA is a proud sponsor of the North
American Riding for the Handicapped Association. To learn more about
APHA, visit apha.com or call (817) 834-2742. |
