My name is Reesie McGuigan, I am 20 years old, and an H-A member of Rocky River Pony Club in the Carolina Region.
Now that my canned “Pony Club Introduction” is out of the way, here’s my life story.
I have been living and breathing horses since before I could walk. I learned to ride at a very young age under the tutelage of my mother, who has been, and still is, the biggest supporter and cheerleader of my riding career. Over time I have developed from a horse-crazy little girl to who I am now: a slightly older, but no less (horse) crazy girl. My mom and I are passionate about taking on and retraining neglected or abused horses, or horses destined for slaughter and then finding them good homes. We’re still working on the “finding them new homes” part. It’s hard to say goodbye sometimes! Each one of my horses is a rescue of some sort, including my two competition horses. I grew up in central Florida and spent most of my time going on trail rides, showing in local hunter shows on my “backyard horses,” and volunteering for the Orange County Sheriff’s Posse, as the official Pooper Scooper for parades. Throughout the years I have dipped my toes into some western riding as well. I found it to be loads of fun, but not what I really wanted to do. I first discovered eventing at the age of 10. After my first tadpole event, I was hooked!
Unfortunately, my glory days as Pooper Scooper had to come to an end. When I was 12, we moved to Indian Trail, North Carolina, a small town outside Charlotte. I joined Pony Club as a D-2 soon afterward. Throughout my years of involvement in Pony Club, I have learned so much about riding and horse management, as well as teamwork. Incidentally, through necessity, I have learned how to fashion a bridle rack entirely out of duct tape and baling twine to avoid getting horse management penalty points, but that’s another story.
When I was 14, I purchased a big, young, greenbroke, gangly paint gelding from a feedlot as a project horse to resell. Frankly he was an ugly duckling, but he seemed to have untapped potential hidden in there, somewhere. Over time, that ugly 4-year-old ended up capturing my heart, and I could not imagine parting with him. This big goof is aptly named “Tiny,” now coming 11 years old. He’s the horse upon whom I achieved my C-3 and B certifications. My goal for the end of the year is to accomplish my A. I can’t think of a more satisfying way to earn it than to be sitting on the back of my once-in-a-lifetime horse.
Two years ago I found Simon (Carpe Diem), an ex-steeplechaser, through AC4H (Another Chance 4 Horses) in the Killbuyer’s lot. Poor thing was a mess. He had ulcers in his mouth, a sore back, and mental baggage regarding riding. Simon lacked any gait even somewhat resembling a trot. If he was directed anywhere near a jump, he was known to stop, rear and spin in the other direction to avoid the jump. Long story short, he learned to trust me and now loves to work, and especially loves to jump. He’s finally getting a hang of that dressage thing too — much to his chagrin, I am sure. We have our sights set on making our debut at Preliminary this year.
I could not be more ecstatic to be a part of the 2013 USPC Inter-Pacific Exchange Team with three outstanding young ladies. It still seems surreal that this life-changing trip is really going to happen in a few short months. I can’t wait to represent the United States Pony Clubs as both an ambassador and as a competitor this summer in Australia!
USPC Exchange Team 