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but I have never seen it expressed as find a way to pay for it. I know exactly
Bridgeport (a very small town close to
anger at anyone or anything, especially that is what I want to do, I just haven’t
Twin Lakes). She rides the mountains
the horses. What makes her that way is figured it all out yet. BUT I WILL !!” she
and valleys with her father while her
beyond me and we take no credit for it, says laughing.
mom just enjoys a welcome get away in
she is just inherently content and takes “Her work ethic is exemplary!!” says
the country with the horses the family
everything in stride. She has really big Diane. “No one has to push her to get
loves.
goals but is happy taking one step at up or to do her homework or to take
She has accepted that Blue Bayou will
a time, knowing one step follows the care of the horses, she just does. She
be sold and is excited about moving on.
next.” starts herself and no one needs to tell
She is pleased that for Blue’s sake the
Jeni Brown is just as mystified about her. She has gotten out of the horses
horse will go on to a younger rider who
Allison and her evenness. “From the a work ethic that will serve her in any-
will not push the mare too far. Next on
very beginning she was an exceptional thing she chooses. We thank riding and
the horizon is a new horse that she will
student. Always gives 110% and never the program and credit Jeni for a lot of
work with to get to the big jumps and
with an argument or irritation. There that. What Alison is as a young person
Young riders.
is lots of discussion but never a nega- is a lot a part of Jeni Brown. Jeni knows
Her parents are sort of “a long for the
tive attitude about anything, even when just how far to push and has the finesse
ride” so to speak as they stand in sup-
things are difficult and don’t go her of knowing when to back off, both per-
port of her riding. Their unconditional
way. Because she’s that way to teach it sonally and as her trainer.”
support is evident mostly when things
crosses over to the horses and they re- She continues “Jeni has a work ethic that
get tough. Being at every competition,
spond on a different level. She has an is extraordinary and she passes that on
it is important to make time in their ex-
amazing empathetic touch to her rid- to her riders and especially Allison since
tremely busy family law professions’ to
ing which makes the horses really want
to work for her and not against her.
She never forces the horses and there
“My life is really good right now but the only change
is never any tension in her personally
I would make, if I could, would be to add more hours
so nothing negative carries to the ani-
mals,” said Jeni. “She is extremely me-
in a day so I could spend more time with the horses
thodical and will just keep working on
something over and over. She chooses and still get my school work done.””
repetition over force,” Jeni finished.
Not only does Allison have horses in they are so close. THAT is what a teacher
be at ringside and cheer her on.
training with Shadowbrook, she has a is all about and we are grateful for her.”
At no time so far was it more fun than
small herd in her backyard which she is Allison plays the piano, volunteers
when our American flag was raised as
completely responsible for the care of. 4 at “Ride-ON”, a therapeutic riding
our anthem played over the Canadian
horses, 2 small miniature horses as well program where she gets the horses
show ground for Allison. This is un-
as 2 surrogate mares with their foals, ready and assists the riders. After their
doubtedly just a glimpse of what the
both Blue Bayou babies. Dad, Richard, ride she takes care of the horses and
future holds in store for her and Cali-
helps her clean and feed each morning makes sure they are put away right.
fornia is proud to have her represent-
while mom, Diane, does the shared du- Her “vacation” each year is a trip to
ing us. Before too long we believe it will
ties in the afternoon but the responsi- Honeywell Ranch with her family for
be at the North American Young Rider
bility is all Alison’s. a week of chuck wagons, riding west-
Championships.
One of the horses is Snookum’s, ern and playing horse shoes in the hills
the very first horse Alison rode in that half way up the center of California in
YMCA summer camp so many years
ago. He is 34 years young now and rules
the roost at the Van Sickle barn.
When classes at shows she rode in
started to pay a little bit of money
here and there, Allison safely put the
money aside for a “secret”. When she
had enough she went back to the origi-
nal camp and bought her first horse
with her own money. Never wanting
him to be unhappy, Allison sees to
his needs now in return for his spark-
ing the love he did so many years ago.
Given a choice, her future would be
complete as a professional Grand Prix
rider. “I haven’t decided completely but
hopefully it will be at that level if I can
37
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