Melting Point
A Canadian Born & Bred Champion
For the
first time a Canadian bred and born horse won a Youth Superior Versatility
Championship and I could not be happier that it was my boy! I still cannot believe
that all the hours of work and training finally paid off for Mel and me. When I
first met Melting Point four years ago, I was not thinking about being a Youth
Superior Champion; I was just looking for a new show horse. My previous show
mares were both having foals the next year and I needed something to ride. I had
not been looking very long and he was one of the first horses that I tried out.
It must have been fate. From the first time I rode him I fell in love. Even
though he was green and did not have any time on him he was still calm and
willing to do anything. Not to mention the natural talent that he had! I had
never ridden a horse like him before. I knew from that moment we were meant to
be together.
Throughout our first winter together we took a few lessons, went to some clinics,
and just worked on becoming a better team. When summer finally came we went to the
few local walking horse shows and did pretty well. There were some rocky times
when I was not really sure if we were ever going to get it right, but then there
were times when Mel just shined. We also did many parades and demos that summer
and everyone who met him fell in love with him just like I did. At the end of
the year, we ended up getting points in several different divisions and
received our Youth Champion status. We were well on our way towards a Superior
Championship but I guess fate decided to step in again.
 At the last show of the season, Mel slipped and fell in the barn aisle. We thought
he was fine and he went on to have another successful weekend. But over the next
few weeks something just was not right, he felt a bit off. After a trip to the vet
we found out he had strained his stifle. Mel had to be put on six months stall
rest. He was not impressed. He had never been in a stall for longer than a
weekend. He was not very happy about not being able to run out in the pasture.
It drove him and me crazy not being able to go riding. The six months did not
improve things so we gave him a few more months of rest, outside this time.
Finally, a year after he got hurt I could ride him!
That show season we were back in the ring! We were back on track toward finishing
our points. By the end of the year, we only needed points in three different
divisions. The only problem was there was no one to compete against. In my home
province of Alberta, we have a small number of people who show and not many three
gait or equitation classes, two of the classes I needed. So, in 2006, Mel and I
hit the open show circuit. That in itself was a challenge. Competing with trotting
horses and with judges who did not know or appreciate walkers was hard. There
were times of frustration and a few tears were cried but there were times when
it all paid off. Some judges did like him and were willing to place us over
trotters. Thanks to those few judges, I was able to get my last showmanship,
equitation and all but one English pleasure point.
It was down to the last show of the year where there was a possibility of getting
our last point. The day did not seem to be going my way and we were consistently
placing one lower than we needed. In the last class of the day we were still
sitting in the line up and I could barley breathe I was so nervous. I had my
fingers crossed and everything! Then they called my number...I got second place!
For the first time that day, I beat three horses in an English pleasure class!
I got my last point! I was so happy! We went up and picked up our ribbon and
as I walked out of the arena, I just threw up my arms and screamed, “We’re
done!” Mel could not figure out what was happening as he was showered with a
ton of hugs and kisses. He had never seen me so happy after a class before.
I could not have asked for a better horse with which to achieve my first versatility
championship. Over the four years that I have been working with Mel, we have
developed an awesome bond. He always gives 110% and does anything that is asked
of him. He is a true ambassador of a wonderful breed. From the show ring to the
trail to giving people their first “glide ride,” and everything in between, Mel
is one Superior horse and I love him!
I could
not have done it alone though. So thanks have to go out to my parents and
my grandma for supporting my habit. They now understand that once you are bit by
the horse show bug you can never quit. I have to thank my mom especially. Without
her, I would have never made it to any of the shows and, while she is not the
best groom, she sure tries and I love her for it! My vets, Sean Archibald and
Charles Briggs, for getting Mel better after his injury. My farrier,
Jason Wrubleski, even though he gets mad because I wear out shoes too fast!
Also, I have to thank all the people I show with, I learn so much and have
so much fun with everyone. And last, but definitely not least, my Melvin! I
really could not have done it without my boy!
NICOLE HIRSEKORN
Carolina Delight
 The quest for the distinction of Youth Superior Versatility Champion is never an
easy one. My quest for the title began at a young age even though I didn't realize
it then. I started riding at the age of five. My mother allowed me to ride her
old good-natured Morgan gelding on the lunge line. I was so small that I
constantly lost my rubber boots.
After a while, riding in circles wasn't enough. I needed more. So, I started saving
every penny for a pony of my own. Finally, at the age of seven, I bought a pony
for $250. That was a high price for a little girl, and since I paid so much, I was
determined to try anything I could with Blondie. My family and I took her to
gymkhanas, trail rides, vaulting clinics and local shows. Fortunately, she was
a sweet-natured pony, and we had lots of fun with her. The next year, my brother
and I joined the Canadian Pony Club. I began riding basic dressage and learning
about stadium jumping and cross country jumping. I learned a lot from that little
pony.
 It wasn't long before eleven hands of pony just wasn't big enough, though. I
graduated to a slightly larger pony and continued my pony club activities. It was
at this time when I was first introduced to Tennessee Walking Horses. My mother
purchased a walking mare named Doublestar. I was fascinated by the mare's movement
and gait. At first, I had no clue what she was doing, only that it was smooth and
looked fun to ride. The more I rode Doublestar, the more I enjoyed it. By the
time I was nine, we were in the show ring. I loved it!
I learned a lot about different styles and disciplines of riding as I continued
riding in the pony club and showing walking horses. My dressage and jumping skills
kept improving, and at the age of 13, I had advanced to riding a huge thoroughbred
mare. I faced a dilemma, though. It was extremely difficult to keep up with the
training and showing of two entirely different breeds. I loved the thrill of
jumping, and the excitement of three-day eventing, and was very serious about
success. Each week, I had two and a half hours worth of riding lessons on my
thoroughbred mare. I did it, though, because I loved it.
When I was sixteen, I made a hard decision. Walking horses won out. I sold my
thoroughbred and decided to concentrate on walkers. I showed a mare named DJ's
Miss Showtime and did well, but I didn't attempt to diversify very much because
the classes were not offered at our Tennessee Walking Horse shows. A year later,
I met my cohort, a most wonderful little mare named Carolina Delight. I was
seventeen and contemplating what horse I would ride and show during the upcoming
show season. It would be my last year in the youth division, and I wanted to
leave it with excitement.
 Wayne and Debra Jack brought several of their best horses to a 1995 exhibition of
the Tennessee Walking Horse. The exhibition was for the Canadian Minister of
Agriculture. Carolina Delight, also affectionately known as Tiny, was one of the
gang. She was a beautiful black mare with World Championship honors in model
competition. I couldn't believe my luck when the Jacks said they needed someone
to ride Tiny during the exhibition. I volunteered, and that's where it all began.
I rode the little black mare for two nights. I was amazed at her incredible
gait, excellent disposition and beauty. After the final performance, we had our
pictures taken. It was sad for me because I was sure that was the last time I
would ever ride Tiny. I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to ride her
again, let alone for an entire show season.
About a month later, we called the Jacks. Deb gave me some incredible news. If Tiny
didn't get in foal, I could lease her for the upcoming show season. I was so
excited. I knew Wayne and Deb wanted her in foal, but I kept my fingers crossed
that she wouldn't catch. It's still hard to believe that my dream came true!
Carolina Delight came home with us in March of 1996. I began riding her everyday
to prepare us both for the versatility program and for the upcoming show season.
This would be my last chance at the Youth Superior title, and I was determined to
succeed.
 Our first show was in June and we won almost everything. Ironically, the one trophy
we didn't win was in the model class. That was especially odd since Tiny had
already won world championship honors. Together, we earned a lot of versatility
points at that first show in five or six different divisions. Still, it takes
points in eight divisions to win top honors. I realized that we might not be able
to earn enough points in eight divisions to win the Superior title, but I thought
we could earn the Versatility Champion title or high point honors in at least
one division.
We set out for two more consecutive shows. The second of these was an open show for
a variety of breeds. Tiny made her usual great performances, and we did very well
in everything we entered. At this point, I realized that the tough competition of
open, multi-breed shows might be our answer. Not only did those shows have a
greater number of versatility classes, they had a larger number of entries.
We ultimately took Tiny to four different open shows. They offered us a great
opportunity to promote the Tennessee Walking Horse to many people who had never
seen one. There were many instances in which people would see us in the warm-up
ring and ask what gait Tiny was performing. I would then explain about the walking
horse and their smooth gaits. I would even do a mini-demonstration before our class
was called. The comments I heard most often were how incredibly smooth the ride
looked.
One weekend, my mother and I traveled 750 miles to attend two different shows at
opposite ends of the province. We traveled late one night through a rain storm
only to find the next morning that the rain had made the outdoor arena unusable.
Before we left, a photographer from the local paper took our picture and we did
a demonstration. The article was titled, "World Champion horse comes to Thorhid".
Despite the show's cancellation, the Tennessee Walking Horse was still
promoted.
My family and I then headed to Southern Alberta for a Standardbred Show. There,
we earned many points in the versatility classes, particularly jumping. I had begun
to school Tiny over fences only three weeks before this show. My goal in entering
the jumping classes was to gain experience for her. I should have never doubted
my beautiful little mare. She exceeded my expectations by placing second in a
class of fifteen entries. I was ecstatic since I had already earned four of my
jumping points.
I decided to take her in a class called "jeopardy jumping",
which consisted of higher jumps and a very short time to complete the course.
In order to place well, hairpin turns and high speeds were necessary. Even though
I had planned my course out ahead of time, I had 25 seconds left on the clock. I
began to take the higher jumps until I headed toward a challenging jump that
resembles a construction blockade. Tiny didn't even hesitate! She sailed over it
just as the buzzer sounded!
That class allowed us to fulfill the required points for the jumping category and
claim high point award in that division. Several people later told me that they
had been "cheering for the tiny mare". When I told them that Tiny was her nickname,
we all had a great laugh. Tiny's big brown eyes won her points with both the
judges and spectators alike.
That summer I discovered that Tiny had interests as varied as my own, and she had
a personality all her own. I knew this 14.3 hand, black mare was the horse I had
begun looking for so many years earlier. At our first show I was drinking a soda
and Tiny developed a particular interest in the can. I should have known she was
thirsty! From then on, we cut show expenses by sharing refreshments.
This past year, I have learned a great deal about perseverance and determination
as I achieved 114 versatility points. We needed only 50 points in eleven categories,
but this was my last summer showing as a youth, and I wanted to experience as much
as I could. We had plenty of obstacles to overcome, particularly in the trail
division. Tiny is not the bravest horse in the world, and we had to work
especially hard in those classes. I have even learned that a certain judge
(and friend) named Ray Reis made a bet with the ringmaster that the yellow
slicker on a peg was too much for Tiny. I still hope to get the chance to prove
him wrong.
My sweet Tiny has now returned home to Wayne and Debra Jack. She's a true champion
through and through. I hope that one day she may be mine in every sense of the
word. At the 1997 Celebration, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors'
Association and Mr. Jack Kinkade presented me with Tennessee Taz, a beautiful
black colt of my very own. I very much appreciate their generosity, and I plan
to train the colt and eventually work for my Adult Supreme Versatility honors.
That may not come so fast, though, as I am now a student at the University of
Alberta studying biology and chemistry. Priorities have to be chosen and
college is very important to me.
I would like to especially thank Wayne and Debra Jack for giving me the opportunity
lease Tiny. My parents deserve my extra special gratitude for spending the greater
part of the summer on the road with me. Finally, I encourage prospective youth
versatility champions to continue with their efforts, And don't give up.
It can be done and it is definitely worth the effort.
Thanks to everyone who encouraged me along the way. I appreciate it.
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