“Never Give Up” is the Motto of 66-Year-Old APHA World Show Competitor Polly Plant

By: Brittany Bevis

Often in life, we encounter obstacles to our dreams. The potential roadblocks might be financial, personal, work-related, or even a physical ailment. This morning, at the 2015 APHA Open/Amateur World Championship Show, we had the opportunity to visit with a competitor who is facing several of these challenges head on.

During the Amateur Yearling Geldings class this morning, 66-year-old Polly Ann Plant of Kerrville, TX competed with her horse Casual Encounter. Those watching the class might have noticed she had a class assistant in the pen, Daisy Chenoweth. Due to a car accident, seven years ago, Polly no longer has the use of her feet and cannot stand without crutches. Therefore, APHA granted a variance for Daisy to assist Polly with the trot portion of the class and the set up.

“My back was broken in a car wreck, seven years ago, and it injured my leg,” Polly says. “I have no use of my feet, so I can’t stand up without crutches. When it happened, before all the surgeries, they told me I wouldn’t have a chance of sitting up straight or walking at all. I told them, by the grace of God, I would. It might not be pretty, but I would walk again, and the good Lord has brought me back.”

Polly purchased “Encounter” in January of this year and showed him for the first time as a yearling stallion at the Fort Worth Stock Show in February. They received third place. Earlier this year, Polly, Daisy, and Encounter partnered up for the first time to win at the Pinto World Championship Show. Another fellow APHA competitor, Maggie Griffin, assisted Polly back in 2012 with another horse.

“At the time, I was showing a half sister to Encounter [Casual Caress],” she says. “We retired her and bred her. Then, this horse became available for sale from Nancy Olsen. They’re out of the same stud, Casual Mr. This sire produces excellent Halter horses. He’s sired multiple World Champions, Reserve World Champions, and Futurity winners. He always puts a beautiful head on them.”

Both Daisy and even the judges comment regularly on how extremely well-behaved Encounter is for a yearling gelding. “She has judges walk up to her and say they’re so surprised at how well-mannered he is. Even today. He stands there and does his job. It’s like he knows. He’s great-minded and perfect for her.”

“He is extremely good-minded,” Polly agrees. “I used to do all of this myself. I didn’t have a trainer for anything.” Now, Polly relies on the expertise of Richard Price for the preparation and fitting of Encounter, and Daisy is more than happy to help out. “I tell Polly it’s my blessing [to assist], because they do well out there, and I get to see the look on her face,” Daisy adds.

When Polly isn’t in the show pen, she’s an official Wal-Mart greeter/security detail at the local store in Kerrville, which she thoroughly enjoys. Since nothing seems to be able to slow Polly down these days, we wondered how long she plans on showing horses. “As long as I can afford it!” she says. “I just took six days off work to come here to show.”

“Ever since the accident, my motto has been: If you give up, Satan has won. Never give up. God knows the desires of your heart, and he will fulfill them.”

In other news, several World Champions have been crowned in Halter and Over Fence classes.

Amateur Weanling Stallions- 1- Hes Just That/Scott Chandler, 2-The Crowning Touch/Marianne Berg, 3-Wicked Intensions/Chris Miller, 4-Execute Imprint/Leanne Bandy, 5-Hes Joe Kool/Robert Kieschnick

Amateur Yearling Stallions- 1- Itsallaboutthatbass/Lindsay Henry, 2-DWL Pack N Fortyfive/Darrell Leonard, 3-Bring On The Heat/Ramsey Berry, 4-Gunna Be Ziperior/Shannon Leggett, 5- TS Extra Cute/Thomas Scheckel

Amateur Weanling Geldings- 1- Grandioso/Susan Drawdy, 2- Im Stryking/Cameron Brees, 3-Trending/Andrea Olsen, 4-Intensional Kid/Mark Voegele, 5-Hez Kid Cool/Jackie Weatherman

Amateur Yearling Geldings- 1- CNC To Be Phenomenal/Darlene Turner, 2-Magnificent Ikon/Julie Ann Reese, 3-Coolest Ambition/Gary Hayslip, 4-LS Hezasoutherndesign/Robin Robinett, 5-Brooks N Irish/Heather Youngberg

Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings- 1-Hes That Cool/Sally Griffin, 2-I’ll Be Awesome/Gretchen Jackson, 3-You Bet I’m All That/Christine Eller, 4- TD Tyme Obsessed/Barbara Case

Amateur Solid Paint Bred 2-Year-Old and Older Geldings- 1-PF Execute A Win/Banks Ready, 2-PTMA Cowboy Casanova/Cheryl Lawhead, 3-Heza Casual Mr Too/Sandy Galloway, 4-Gazuntite/Kimberly Borcherding

Amateur Equitation Over Fences- 1- Big Expectations/Peyton Weldon, 2-The Big Dog/Lauren Williams, 3-EFC Holesinmysocks/Rachel Walcoff, 4-Hot Roddin Iron/Carol Campbell, 5-Murphy Talks Color/Tracy Hull

Preliminary Working Hunter– 1- Hot Brooke Valentine/Kari Swainston, 2-Im Zipped All Right/Mason Lyon, 3- No More Nite/Karen Banister, 4-Gator Thunder/Karen Banister, 5-See My Double/Karen Banister

Novice Amateur Equitation Over Fences- 1- EFC Holesinmysocks/Rachel Walcoff, 2-Rockin The Tux/Tarryn Christensen, 3-Hava Jackflash/Sue Russell, 4-Tall Dark Sensation/Jennifer Chan, 5-Skips Sonny Angel/Jennifer Darmours