through what you want; she listens and rings as well as the Amateur Owner “I always want to be involved with
responds the best. She just came to me, competitions, and now she has come horses and I am fortunate to, at some
and I got to put the finishing touches into her own in the big league. Double point, do what I love,” said Katherine
on her ride. And, of course, she got clear and a fast time proved good after the class. “I am going on to law
lucky and actually found all the slots!!” enough for the blue ribbon and the school and will finish college first, and
“After walking the course I got really garland of red carnations, along with then I really want to be competitive
nervous about tonight. I don’t know the hoard of young fans that came in the bigger rings. I hope that works
why, but I did. The warm up time was onto the field for her autograph. out for me. I love the opportunity I
good so I felt a little better,” said Laura. “It is so thrilling to be signing my first have to ride with Richard Spooner; the
“But when I walked into the ring it all ‘win’ autographs,” said Katherine at the best part is probably the fact that he
changed,” she went on. “The adrena- table. “It is just so exciting; I have to has THE greatest connection with his
line rush when you walk in under the pinch myself. My horse is a fighter and horses. To him it is more than a job;
lights and see the crowd is amazing and has the biggest heart. She can be very it is an art and certainly a lifestyle. He
it all kicked in for me. I had such a great wild at times, but I really love riding insists that concept gets passed on to
time and had fun. The crowd helps so her. I think she actually loves to win riders who ride with him, and it has to
much; it makes it different than venues more than I do; if that is possible, and me for sure.”
where the stands aren’t full. It is con- I am glad I was riding her for this!!” “The course today didn’t seem big,
tagious!” The course was nicely set by Scott but it was technical, especially at the
“As far as the next kids learning, Starnes, with the help of Brett and end of it. The big thing for me is to
taking lessons and dreaming of this, the staff hired for decorations on the stay relaxed, and no matter where we
keep dreaming. I remember being one course. Larry Langer and the crew land, I just pick up and go from there.
of those kids and so wanting to be certainly go out of their way to make I don’t stress about stuff. Richard
here. The good doesn’t come easy so sure it is amazing. At the end of the always tells me that the main thing is
just keep going on. I’ve become ‘the kid first round there were four clear, Kasey to be very ‘straight’ off the ground and
who falls off a lot’ around the place. I Ament, Francie Steinwedell-Carvin, that makes all the difference. As long
spent a lot of time hitting the ground Natasha Merbeck and Katherine Bardis, as I am balanced with Pariska, not too
at Thermal on several different horses, and Katherine sat in the coveted spot much can go wrong. And if it does,
but I learned from that. I never got of being last to go. it will all be OK if I just land and go
discouraged. The whole riding sport is Katherine entered the ring at a pace on.”
still so amazing to me, and there is so that almost made us think a bit early of “I really want to thank my parents;
much ahead.” the victory gallop. Coming across the they are the very best. There they are
“My parents are so supportive, and ring and then making a bid for the first over there, watching while I get so
I am lucky for that. I got good grades, jump, the turn back to the Liverpool much credit. The credit goes to them
my parents insisted on that, so the was just about miraculous at that pace. and I want them to know that!! I also
University of Arizona is working with The forward run at the combination want the crowd to know how important
me to eventually get there. I love little had everyone biting their finger nails they are. It is so much fun to hear them
kids, and I really love it when they come and holding their breath, but it all clap and cheer and enjoy this sport.
to the barn to ride. Tonight there were stayed up and on she went. The oxer Langer management is doing a great
a bunch of those kids in the stands, was easy at this point and then the jet job getting people out here to watch,
and it was fun seeing them at the table engines kicked in as she went to the big and it does make a difference to us
tonight,” she ended. solid wall across the ring and jumped riders; we all love it,” she says as she
For Katherine Bardis, the first it at a 45 degree angle to then swing finishes up.
Grand Prix win of a rider’s career is left and RUN at the last oxer, a blazing In the end, the common denominator
indeed special, and it was sweet at the speed. Clear in 33.436! seems to be the support of the parents,
Memorial Day Classic show!! Leading The judges were in a bit of ‘awe’ who quietly wait in the shadows
the way for the victory gallop, and then as they really didn’t think that anyone while these young ladies spread their
sitting at the ‘big’ end of the autograph could catch Kasey Aments fast time. wings. That is a proud place to be and
table, Katherine could not stop smiling Not only did Katherine catch the time, certainly a great spot to watch years of
and bouncing her knees, in excitement, she beat it by almost two seconds. preparation, success, hardship, trials
under the table every time someone A spectacular finish to this class, and errors, happy times and tears turn
said, “Wow.” and a joyful Katherine yelled as she into this type of accomplishment.
With thirty starters today, on the grass approached the back gate, “OH MY And it is an added privilege that both
field at the LA Equestrian Center in GOSH, I JUST WON MY FIRST young ladies are so appreciative!! Not
Burbank, the crowd got to see a young GRAND PRIX!!!” She could be heard only are they successful competitors,
rider gallop to her first win at this level in the VIP tent across the ring. It is so they continue to show the respect and
of competition. Katherine has indeed fun to be part of witnessing this type admiration for their parents that has
been a contender in the Young Rider of win for a young rider. brought them along this road.
26
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