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GENERATOR'S POWDER RED:
The Little Horse With The Big Heart
I first met Generator’s Powder Red, or Spencer, as she was known, in late 1998 when I was nine years old. She belonged to Kevin Gilliam of Bayfield Farm, and I started riding her in my lessons at his farm. After a few months of lessons with Spencer, my mom bought her for me, and our journey began.
I started showing in 1999 in 4-H shows and local club shows. In 2001, when we discovered the Versatility program, we started collecting points in E-Z Rider and Showmanship at Halter. In August of 2001 we qualified and showed at the Regional 4-H Championships in Memphis, Tennessee. From Memphis we went on to the International in Murfreesboro, where we won 11 and Under Showmanship at Halter and were Reserve 11 and Under High Point winners. This was a huge accomplishment for both of us. Spencer and I were well on our way to earning our Superior title.
In the fall of 2001, we decided to breed Spencer to Got Rox Wolf Man, a beautiful spotted stallion. We took it easy in 2002 while she was in foal, and in November she gave birth to Red Wolf Rising, a chestnut and white colt. After the foal was weaned, it was time for Spencer and I to finish what we had started.
In 2003, we were back in action, collecting points in Water Glass, Trail, and a few in Western Pleasure. At the end of the season, we still needed points in Western Pleasure, Good Seat and Hands, English Pleasure, and Model. In the winter of 2003-2004, we focused on improving her canter.
Spencer is a sensitive mare with a big motor, so she likes to go…FAST! We did countless circles on the lunge line and under saddle to teach her to balance herself and slow down.
Another weak area was model. Spencer is small, about 14.3 hands, and has the figure of a mare that has had 2 foals (Spencer is also the mother of Youth Superior Champion Eb’s Powder Red BF). I had to teach her to carry herself like a model horse, so, using gummy bears (her favorite) as incentive, I taught Spencer to stretch and carry herself like she should. We were finally ready to get the last points needed to reach our goal.
As the 2004 show season got under way, Spencer and I collected the points we needed in everything but model. With a huge 2nd place tie in model at State 4-H, we found we only needed 2 points. Another ribbon at a local show left us needing just one, but show season was coming to an end.
Finally, at the Fall Fun Show at Bayfield Farm, we got a 2nd place tie in model mares, earning our last point. I was so excited! All of the years of hard work had finally paid off!
I have many people to thank for this accomplishment. First, I would like to thank my mom for always supporting me and urging me forward when I didn’t think any of this would ever happen. I would also like to thank my teacher and my friend Kevin Gilliam, who taught Spencer and I everything we needed to reach our goal. Another thanks goes to TWHBEASM for such a neat program, and the crew at Bayfield Farm for all their support. Ya’ll are great! Lastly, a big thank you goes to Spencer, for teaching me so much. I look forward to more great memories in the future. Thanks so much!
–Blair Morton
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