I Learned A Lot From a 10-Year-Old…

By: Amy Melissa Linton

This weekend, I learned a lot from a 10-year-old. She showed perseverance, bravery, and, most of all, loyalty backed by love. About five and a half weeks ago, Ava’s horse, Chanel, aka Superpet, lost her left eye due to painful and very severe glaucoma. Ava had been planning a big 2018 of showing her horse. She has been practicing multiple times a week for literally years. This could’ve been a career ending injury for Chanel and definitely a show season ending before it even started; but, Ava refused to give up, refused to quit on her partner, and insisted that the show WILL go on.

So, in a sport where beauty is very close to everything, my 10-year-old showed up to her first show of the year with a one-eyed pirate horse that had been off work and training for about three months. She believes in her partner and says Chanel would never quit on her if she were to become sick or injured.

Although there were definitely some ups and downs during the weekend, Ava and Chanel did not quit! It came down to the very last class, and they ended the show earning High Point for their division. It was a huge victory, and I couldn’t be more proud!

I also owe a huge amount of gratitude to my caring and inspirational trainers at Wilson Show Horses, Anthony Wilson and Kylee Miller, for putting in countless hours of care during Chanel’s recovery. I’m truly thankful. I’m also grateful for the endless hours of training and helping Chanel and Ava through the years.

My Mom-heart is full.

#Superpet #SuperPirate

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