A: I was born and raised in Excelsior Springs, a small-town northeast of Kansas City. As long as I can remember I have loved horses. Had every stuffed horse I could get my hands on, figurines, you name it. I would buy horse magazines, put posters of them on my wall and dream of being a jockey. We lived in town so there was not a possibility to have my own horse, and I do not think finding a lesson program was ever a thought for my parents. I was just a kid who loved horses. But my Grandpa who lived in Tonganoxie, KS had a few horses that he used on cattle drives, so when I got big enough, he bought a Shetland pony named Goldie and taught me the basics. Grandpa bought me a small western saddle, but most of the time I didn’t bother with a saddle, just bareback in the pasture. As I grew older Grandpa would let me ride his quarter horses and the one memory that stands out, was getting reprimanded for running the horse too much in the pasture. Dreams of being a thoroughbred jockey were dashed. A family vacation to visit relatives in Montana would put me in the saddle on a trail ride. I recall being so excited, while my younger sister was drug under the trees by her mount.

Life moved on, but the love for horses never truly went away. In 2008, when my oldest daughter, Anna, would attend her best friends pony party at Columbia Equestrian Center. She rode several horses, including a sweet 5 year old pony named Delilah. Anna’s best friend was taking lessons so of course Anna wanted too as well. Her 6 year older sister Ashley had no interest in riding and Abbey was only 2 when she started, but as some of you know I couldn’t keep Abbey out of the barn for long. She was doing her first lead line class at NEC at the age of 3. In the fall of 2010, Delilah was up for sale, the girls and I were so heart-broken to think she would be leaving CEC. We went to my husband, cried and begged to buy her. He never said yes or no. We just thought she would be sold to someone and gone from our lives soon. That Christmas he surprised us with the greatest gift, Delilah. She was ours and would not be leaving! The rest is really history as they say.

A: Delilah was bred in Neosha, MO and registered with the American Haflinger Registry. She must have been sold to the Amish along with her brother at some point. CEC owner, Kris Wallace, found her at the Boone County Draft Horse Sale. She wasn’t for sale, her brother was. She was extremely sick, her feet were in bad shape, just a mess in general. Kris was able to buy her and nursed her back to health, eventually adding her to the lesson program.

Kris has said even as a 3-4 year old she has always had the sweet, easy going demeanor that you could put any kid or adult on. Delilah will do anything for you and always takes care of her rider. Stubborn pony mannerisms at times, strong drive for grass, food and snacks, but will make any rider stronger. After all, learning on a pony is tough!

Kris taught her how to jump and when Anna started riding, they sort of refined the discipline together. Anna eventually took her eventing in 2012, where we discovered she really enjoyed the XC portion. Abbey would go on to show her in Hunters and Eventing. Delilah would take countless riders to hunter/jumper shows, always winning the blue, red and gold ribbons. She was a favorite at pony parties! After 13 years in the CEC lesson program, I retired her from jumping and moved to another local barn.

A: After 15 years of being the “show Mom” I decided it was time for me to start riding. Delilah and I began trail riding with friends in July 2022, in a dressage saddle I bought thinking that I might want to ride Dressage one day. After being dumped a handful of times during trail rides when she would trip, I took the plunge and had my first riding lesson in January 2023 with Stacee Collier.

Let’s just say I had to learn the basics for a while, from learning how to post, what diagonal I was on, cantering the right lead, and most importantly my balance so I wouldn’t fall off on trail rides. Stacee was so patient with me, and I had the best support from friends and family. The weekly lessons, encouragement and not wanting to push Delilah to jump anymore is what has kept me in dressage. Plus, it’s honestly really hard! I love the challenge. After all, at 50 years old, only one kid left at home, what else was I do with my time?!

A: One of our biggest milestones was riding in the National Dressage Pony Cup Championships in July 2024. Our first “competition” was in July 2023 at our local CDCTA show. We then did the WWU relaxed dressage show in Oct 2023, had my first lesson with Jana Wagner March 2024, competed in my first rated show at NEC in June and then NDPC in July. Delilah was never formally trained in dressage, Hunter/Jumper her whole life and at the young age of 20 I asked her to learn dressage. So, we were having the best time at the Introductory level and that was perfectly fine with me!

We continued to trail ride whenever possible. I can’t recall details, but on Facebook one day in May 2025 Bridlespur Hunt Club was in my feed advertising their summer trail ride schedule. I had been to the clubhouse once years prior when Anna and Abbey competed in their Thistle Down 1-day event.

I wasn’t able to make it to any of the trail rides that summer but decided to try the Faux Fox hunt in October. Needless to say, Delilah and I had a blast, the members were so welcoming and supportive even with Delilah NOT listening to any aids, hanging on my dressage bit like it wasn’t there, and trying to run in second flight at Mach speed! For some reason they wanted us to return.

I decided I loved the thrill of the sport and joined the club on a trial membership I changed her bit and tried again in December ‘bitting up’ each time until she was back in her OG Kimberwick she jumped in with kids for years. I moved her back to third flight to teach her how to listen and follow the rules of the hunt. We ended the hunt season this March as a respectable pair and Delilah really got in shape doing it!

A: I got involved with CDCTA when Anna and Abbey were younger and showing. They loved the shows and it really helped us be a part of our local equestrian community. While taking lessons with Stacee, she became the President of CDCTA, and the club needed someone to take over membership when the current chair moved out of state. I really just wanted to be more involved to help keep the organization going as so many long time members were at the end of their board obligations. Again, with only 1 daughter left at home, graduating HS in 2025, off to college, it allowed more freedom in my schedule. When the secretary chair came open, I was asked if I wanted to take on the role, I just decided why not! CDCTA did so much to support my young daughters in their riding experience I wanted to give back and ensure the club kept going. I love all the people and really feel like it is a valuable organization in central Missouri.

A: When I’m not at the barn, good question because I’m there typically 5 days a week. I work from home and have 2 very needy dogs that are spoiled with me being around 24/7. I love to spend time with my daughters and friends as much as I can. My hobby is my pony and since we do a little bit of everything it keeps me pretty busy. I am currently redecorating my house after 10 years of wear and tear. It’s a snails pace though with the high price of just about everything these days. So I guess you could say that’s my other hobby.

A: Get her as many horse books as possible, read to her all the time and I recommend stuffed horses while she’s little. Anything to help satisfy the desire to be around a horse. The best thing that I did for Anna and Abbey was to put them in a riding program that really catered to the young, developing horse crazy girl. Summer horse camps are a must! When she is ready to sit on a safe, kid friendly pony bring her to Delilah. She is the kid master 🙂