64 SIDELINES JULY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Lauren Corey
Can you remember the days when you felt like you
could conquer anything? High school is coming to
a close and this summer is my last chance to show
in the junior division. I am dreading having to say
goodbye to all of my favorite equitation medals. I
decided to talk with several juniors at my barn to learn
how they feel about showing. I miss the days where I
was so sure I would win all the medal fnals and go to
the Maclay as the majority of juniors at my barn are.
Big Talent, Big Ambitions
As the oldest teenager at my barn, I frequently have
lessons with some of the younger girls (although it
does nothing for my confdence when they outperform
me!). Michelle Morsey, a 14-year-old, has been
riding at my show barn, McIntosh Stables, since she
was nine and constantly receives top ribbons in her
equitation. Michelle has big ambitions, and says “I
hope to get a new horse soon so that I can qualify
for the Maclay fnals. I also would love to do the big
hunter derbies and perhaps the grand prix’s when I’m
18.” Michelle currently owns a cute buckskin, who
is affectionately called Bucky. The name nearly gave
her mother heart failure (not to mention some of the
assistant trainers who would have to ride him), but I
have never once seen that horse buck. They are such a great
pair and really stand out in the equitation. I can’t wait to see them
continue to grow together and dominate the West Coast Show
Circuit!
While watching the grand prix at the Woodside Summer Circuit Opener, the
girls make the letter “M” to show their McIntosh pride!
Photo by Toni McIntosh
I met Molly Zisook, 14, when she came to McIntosh about three
years ago with her occasionally bratty pony, Maddy. I would
always get Molly and Maddy mixed up because the names are
so similar and I am always terrible at remembering names. One
time when I walked up to Molly and started asking her about her
pony, Molly, she responded, “Really, Lauren? For the last time,
MY name is Molly….” Once I fnally remembered her name, we
became great friends. Sometimes I would school her pony when
she was naughty and Molly would let me ride her mom’s horses
too. Molly had always wanted to excel in the pony divisions and
was looking for a new large pony to move up on.
Change of Plans
We were both devastated when she had to move to Chicago,
but we still video chat at least once a week. Shortly after
moving, Molly’s dad bought her a gorgeous hunter, C’est Si
Bon. However, “Bon Bon” was located in Florida because they
found her at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Since then, Molly
has been flying out at least once a month to compete and they
have been cleaning up in the children’s hunters. Molly says
her biggest accomplishments are “winning reserve champion
children’s hunter at week seven of WEF and receiving 3rd
place at the Horse and Hound Medal Finals.” She hopes to
compete in the hunter derbies and I know it will only be a short
time before this dream becomes a reality. When Molly sets
her mind to something, you can be sure to see results!
I enjoy my lessons with the younger girls because while
they can occasionally learn from me, I learn so much more
from their ability to dream and conquer! These girls inspire
me to remember that anything is possible (at risk of sounding
cheesy). I know these girls will be the talk of the horse
world someday and I hope they always remember to keep on
dreaming big.
e
Michelle Morsey and Bucky competing in the Horse and Hound
medal at the Woodside Spring Preview.
Photo by Yulia Morsey