30-Year-Old Motion By Pro Makes Triumphant Return to Show Pen With Tiny, New Partner, Shayne Gilliam
Shayne Gilliam and Moe at the Florida circuits. Photo courtesy of Cody Parmenter Photography.
By: Brittany Bevis
The term “Golden Oldie” is typically reserved for those members of the community who have been around the block a few times, have plenty of experience, and have considerable wisdom to share with the next generation. But the 30-year-old AQHA gelding, Motion By Pro, gives entirely new meaning to the phrase.
At the recent Gold and Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Circuits in Tampa, Florida, Motion By Pro, aka “Moe,” made a triumphant, and surprising, return to the show pen with a talented, little competitor who’s making the move from Leadline to Small Fry all-around competition this year. Moe’s partner in crime for 2018 will be 7-year-old Shayne Gilliam, who, up until this year, had solely been competing in Showmanship classes. However, as the daughter of trainer, Jason Gilliam, and Jessica Gilliam, she now feels fully ready to jump into her first year of riding classes, with her trusty Moe by her side.
Moe has been part of the Gilliam family for the past eight years and even helped Steve Gunn (Shayne’s grandpa) win at the Select World Show in 2011. “I showed against him when I was in youth,” Jessica says. “That was when Melissa Wolf (Bercaw) showed him in the all-around events. I always admired their bond in the show pen.”
“He has been in the show atmosphere since he was two. He takes little to no work from anyone, but Shayne, to get to enjoy these first years. Moe is one-of-a-kind. As he has been part of our family for eight years now, we have just been able to watch his kindness.”
During the Florida circuits, Shayne and Moe competed in Small Fry Showmanship, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Trail. They did so well that they were named the All Around Small Fry Champions at both the Gold and Gulf Coast Circuits!
Photo courtesy of Cody Parmenter Photography.
There was quite a bit of surprise when Moe’s entry form slid across the show manager’s desk. Someone even called AQHA to make sure he was still registered as living, due to his advanced age. We wondered how the Gilliams keep Moe is show shape, at 30?
“Other than keeping him on self-choice hay and supplements, I believe he just has a heart of gold and will be around for a little bit longer,” Jessica says. “We’re blessed to be able to watch Shayne show him and to also have him babysit Shayne through her first year of competition.”
“She will keep showing in all-around classes and strive to show at the Congress this year. Her favorite class is English, so she’s taking lessons from Bob Tweedley in Indianapolis, IN. It has been so great for her to learn from one of the best, and also someone that isn’t her parents!”
We had the chance to chat with Miss Shayne to find out more about her goals for her first full year of Small Fry competition with her beloved Moe.
Q&A with Shayne and Moe:
What do you like most about your horse?
“Moe is a champion, and he’s a really good horse. He isn’t mean and doesn’t try anything silly with me.”
What is your favorite class to compete in with him and why?
“My favorite class is English, because he’s a really good horse in English. English is really different, and I get to go faster and post at the trot.”
What’s his favorite treat?
“He loves carrots or Cheetos. There were these huge carrots at Florida that we had to break up just so he could eat them, and he would push his door open for them.”
What’s the funniest thing he likes to do?
“Moe thinks it’s funny to push his door open if it isn’t latched and see if anyone is out in the aisle to feed him.”
When you grow up, what’s a goal you have for the future?
“Mostly to win in the English classes first, and winning in the Trail is my second goal.”
Good luck to Shayne and Moe in 2018!
