Versatility with Pride

By Sterling Schmitt
©Voice, August/September 2007

I started riding over 10 years ago, and like several of the youth versatility champions, I started at Bayfield Farm with Kevin Gilliam. I learned everything I know about showing and caring for horses through my many years at Bayfield. It was Kevin who paired me with my horse, Delight of Pride’s Go Boy (Pride), for he knew we could help each other learn. (If you haven’t heard, Kevin has a well-known knack for matching horses with an appropriate owner). 

I rode Pride just two times before we headed off to our first show together, the Tarheel Plantation Classic. Despite a little preview of the Kentucky Derby on Pride’s part, we had an awesome show. We won several classes we went in, and I was completely ecstatic about the ability and talent of this athletic horse! However, that little running away incident that was so quickly forgotten after our successful show came screaming back at the 4-H show when Pride, unbeknownst to me, decided he wanted a tour of the barns. He took off in the practice arena at the fairgrounds, then proceeded to exit the practice arena and run full speed around one of the barns, leaving me with no control. We came to a stop when I came to a stop…on the ground. This, while very confusing, left me unfazed, since my parents were worrying enough for the both of us.

While this incident was a little harder to forget, we still had an awesome show. After that show, Kevin and I decided that this habit, neurotic tendency, whatever you want to call it, probably wouldn’t just go away with time. With Kevin’s unfaltering support and guidance, I learned to control Pride, and most importantly not freak out when it happened. Once I got Pride more or less under control, we moved on to cantering (not galloping), which was a challenge to say the least. After countless failed attempts and many hours of practice, we finally finished our 3 gait points! Equitation was a little harder, since we had to learn about turning in circles, then actually stopping (at the right spot).

Barrel racing and water glass proved to be the two hardest categories for us. You would think that barrel racing would be a breeze for us, given Pride’s natural fondness for speed, but of course it wasn’t. The key problem was that once he got started running, he didn’t feel the need to turn right…at all. Needless to say our first time barrel racing was interesting and in no way qualified. He made several giant circles to the left before I could convince him to go right. But like everything else, I enjoyed the challenge. Obviously water glass was hard. It is close to impossible to keep any amount of water in your cup when your horse has a need for speed. But that too came with time and hours of practice. 

I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have such a fun (albeit sometimes frustrating) and talented horse. None of this would have been at all possible without Kevin’s tireless work and constant support. He has taught me so much, and I am so thankful that he dedicated so much of his time to share his vast knowledge of horses with all of us. I owe so much to the amazing Bayfield family, for their constant support, their willingness to help anytime I needed it, and their friendship. Most importantly, my family -  they have always supported me and given me what I needed to pursue my dream of owning and showing horses.