When Princess arrived at Prairie View Farm she was a fourteen year old wooly, chubby mare- that hadn’t been shown in two years. I decided the best way for us to get acquainted was to start conditioning.

My mother had been showing and promoting our horses for four years. Because I was not comfortable in the showring, I assumed the role of groom. That all changed when I showed Princess at an AMHR show.

Our very first show as a team went very well! At fourteen years old, Princess was awarded Grand and Reserve Champion Aged Mare, double overall Reserve Grand Champion mare, and a first and second in multi-color mare. I was hooked. Princess even went on to win a couple high point awards that year!

In 1997, I decided Princess should be shown at some AMHA shows. I also started showing her in obstacle class. What was fascinating...the same mare that flew into the show ring with nostrils flared and tail up, would drop her head and do each obstacle without a care! Princess also won her first “Best in Show” award at the local county fair that year. Princess never ceases to amaze me!