Junior News
By Cristin Stewart
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Tache’ Rouge and Alison Baileys...Against all Odds
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Alison Baileys, and her horse Tache Rouge, were recently named National Grand Champion Junior
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Hunter Horse of the Year for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Alison is a resident of
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San Juan Capistrano, California, a 2007 graduate of St. Margaret’s High School and plans to attend Santa
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Clara University in the fall of 2008.
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Beginning her riding career when she
was seven years old, at Ivy Gate Farm
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in San Juan Capistrano, Alison quickly
showed her dedication and natural
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ability for the sport. Mary Morrison,
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owner and head trainer at Ivy Gate said
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“from the beginning I could instruct
Alison at a more advanced technical
level than other students of her age
and experience.” Victor Hugo Vidal,
a consultant and long time friend of
Ivy Gate, always believed that Alison’s
insight and mental prowess were the
strength that would lead to her success
in the beginning. He noticed Alison’s
talent when she was just starting in
the Short Stirrup division and she was
beginning to take her first pony to
horse shows. He became one her most
steadfast supporters.
As a young rider, Alison had to
overcome personal adversity early on.
At twelve years old, she was diagnosed
Mary remembers, “Alison was
Horse Show Association (OCHSA)
with Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease
very very sick but still wanted to
Children’s Hunter Championship
causes the thyroid gland to produce too
compete at the Onondarka Finals
at their yearend Finals show. Mary
much thyroid hormone, which (among
in Los Angeles that fall. Her mother
remembers, “Alison was always the
other things) makes a person’s heart
and I watched her carefully that
type of competitor who wanted to
pound and beat irregularly.
week knowing that immediately
move up and be ready in the order
after the finals she would have to go
and get in the ring and show.”
into the hospital to have her thyroid
The next year, 2004, she moved on
removed.” Mary further added,
to her next horse, Epernay. Epernay
“I remember my good friend,
was not always an easy horse to
Richard Wilkinson being thoroughly
get to the ring, but with repetition
impressed with Alison’s desire to
and consistency they became a
continue riding at this horse show
successful show ring team. During
despite her severe health issues.”
this period of time, Mary suggested
Alison remembers, “Richard was a
that Alison go to a few shows with
great support for me at one of the
long-time friends, Jim Hagman and
most difficult times in my life. He
Dan Silverstone. Mary knew that
always encouraged me and was so
Alison would benefit from being
kind that his influence has always
exposed to other horse professionals
stood out in my mind.”
and would greatly benefit from their
In 2003 Mary took Alison on a
perspectives. She was right and in
horse shopping trip to Virginia to
2004, Alison and Epernay were Zone
find her a horse. They found Linus,
10 USEF Stirrup Cup Champion
who became Alison’s first successful
and PCHA Region 1 Children’s
Children’s Hunter. That year the
Hunter Champion. The following
team won the local Orange County
year, Alison moved into the Junior
Hunter division with Epernay.
(cont. on pg.40)
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