W hen a rider as young as Al- Her summer camp horse, Snoo-
lison Van Sickle has enormous suc- kum’s, formed a deep inner love for
cess in one of the toughest venues
her, not only for riding but for horses
in the world, it makes one stop and
and all that they are. The very being
really ponder how that happened,
of the horses was all that she wanted
what the route was and how they
and it stayed with her long after that
got there. Riding against juniors
summer. Watching local trainers and
and amateurs from all over the
how they interact with children, the
world during the Skyliner Horse
Van Sickle’s chose Jeni Brown and
Show she won more than any other
her Shadowbrook Stables as the en-
rider at the show and had the amaz-
vironment that would fit for Allison.
ing experience of standing on the
The problem was that Jeni didn’t have
top of the podium while the USA
school horses and certainly didn’t
National Anthem was played for
have one suitable for such a small
the Gold Medal winner of the Final
child. Not to be deterred they put
Four Championship on Sunday.
their name on Jeni’s list and said they
The following week, the Canada
would “wait as long as it takes!”
One show, proved just as success-
At the time Allison reached 9, Jeni
ful culminating with the win for
called and said she had a super pony
the “CN Junior/Amateur Barrage
come in and it might be perfect for
1.30 Meter” in the Meadows on the
a small child. “Dominique” was the
Green International ring.
first learning tool and while showing
But just who is this young lady
at LA, the Paddock, Hansen Dam be-
and what is her history? What
came a regular event, Allison got the
makes her different?
showing and winning bug and has
Allison is 15 years old as of March
31st which puts her in the ring as a
never looked back.
14 year old, rather young to have the
The best part of her life, accord-
amazing success she did at Spruce
ing to her is “EVERYTHING! I
Meadows this last month. The joke
love going to the barn everyday, I
around the show grounds is that the
love the people there, I love taking
Van Sickle family had better have a
care of the horses at home, I love
giant suitcase to get the winnings,
my life, I am really happy and for-
coolers, ribbons, placks and neck
tunate,” she said. “My life is really
ribbons home to California.
good right now but the only change
Allison started riding at the age
I would make, if I could, would be
of 7 in north Los Angeles, Califor-
to add more hours in a day so I could
nia. A member of the local YMCA,
spend more time with the horses
it was a special summer where the
and still get my school work done.”
family would make a decision that
“Allison is 15 going on 15,” said
would change the entire future for
Diane, her mother. “What makes her
all of them. There were summer
exceptional is that she loves being
camps galore available but Allison
the age she is, no matter what that
was smitten with the horse camp
is. She is a content kid who loves the
offered and the rest became a bit
way she is growing up and likes it just
of history. It was an experience that
exactly where she is. I am amazed at
would alter not only her life but the
her even temperament and even per-
commitment of the entire family to
sonality. I have never experienced
support this small child in a love af-
her as angry or mad for any reason.
fair with horses and the show ring. Of course she will get frustrated,
ALL ABOUT ALLISON
by: Kathy Hobstetter
Photos Courtesy Richard Van Sickle
ShowBiz Feature
36
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