A Tale of Two Mothers

By Delores Kuhlwein

A mother’s instincts are always important to heed, and when No More Doubts, by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of the great mare, Glowin Around Slo, was getting close to her due date in 2023, Holly Phalen was keeping a close eye on her.” Even though it was “Zoe’s” fourth pregnancy, and she was still 12 days from her due date, Holly’s mom, Shelly, knew something was amiss.

Zoe had been Shelly’s show horse before she became a broodmare, Holly explains, with the two showing together in Western Pleasure, Showmanship, and Halter, and the duo built a partnership that earned a Pinto World Championship when Zoe was just four years old.

Passing Along Her Legacy

When Holly and Shelly acquired another horse to show, a VS Code Red mare, they decided to breed Zoe to VS Code Red, since she’s so well-bred herself, says Holly.  Just as they thought, Zoe was just as great at producing foals as she had been as a show partner.  “I am currently showing her first foal, The Glow Getter, (by VS Code Red) who was Reserve in a 3-Year-Old Premier Sires Western Pleasure Futurity at the MQHA Corporate Challenge. She also had top placings at the Sun Circuit this spring,” says Holly.

Zoe also produced a 2022 double-papered stud colt, Glown For Broke (By Bank On The Best), who won the BCF and Non-Pro Color Longe Line at the 2023 NSBA World Championship Show.  So it’s safe to say they were excited to see foal number four, but their hopes were unexpectedly and tragically dashed 12 days before the due date, Holly explains.

“We usually do night check at 9pm, and at 11:30pm my mom called and said she thought we should go check her again because she had a strange feeling,” Holly says. “We got out to the barn and Zoe was down pushing. However, she presented a nose only. We attempted to reposition the foal while waiting for the vet to arrive, but both of her front legs were back and severely contracted.”

Both vets worked tirelessly to reposition the foal, forced to use straps and a skid steer to lift Zoe’s hind end, and finally were able to pull the filly.  Holly says, “They resuscitated her, but unfortunately, we lost the filly the next day. Obviously, Zoe was very sad and in an immense amount of pain afterwards. Despite such a terrible situation, she was never anything but

cooperative and trusting towards us. And the reality is, she wouldn’t be alive had it not been for my mom’s strange feeling, our amazing veterinarians, and everyone’s quick thinking and willingness to help that night.”

A Turn of Events

After losing her filly, “Zoe had about six months to chill out and recover in the pasture with her girlfriends.  We decided to bring her into a stall in the fall so we could get her cycling to do oocyte aspiration and ICSI in the spring,” says Holly.

Then Michele Burch Reid, a friend they had met through their family’s boarding facility, Phalen Equestrian Center & Hotel, inquired about showing.  “Zoe is such a quiet, kindhearted, and good legged mare that we thought it’d be the perfect opportunity for Michele to lease her,” Holly reveals.

“Zoe had been a broodmare out in the pasture. So she’s been a bit retired from the show ring. I, myself, am newly retired, which is what led me to showing horses.  I was looking for a new hobby and way to grow. Zoe is certainly providing that,” adds Michele.

When they started working together, Michele says, there seemed to be an instant connection. “Zoe and I both are mothers. Ironically, we have both also suffered losses. Yet Zoe still made me earn her trust. She is a very light horse and will tell on you every time. I soon learned that Zoe prefers a “whisper” in her cues. Once I was able to do that, everything came together. She is not only an extremely talented jogger. She is absolutely gorgeous.”

In fact, their first time to show together was at the 2024 Arizona Sun Circuit in March, where they won the Amateur Walk Trot Western Pleasure. “The L1 East was only my second time to show,” explains Michele.

At the 2024 AQHA East L1 Championships at the end of April, they faced a daunting number of competing teams in the Amateur Walk Trot Western Pleasure – over 50 of them.  “I have to say, I went a little numb when we made the finals at L1 East,” says Michele. “Then I couldn’t believe it when they kept calling other riders’ names and not mine, leading up to the Reserve Champion and Champion. Then when they announced the winner, I went numb. It truly felt like a dream.”

Holly and Shelly had the thrill of watching, and Holly explains, “It was so exciting to see them come out on top in a class of over 50! Her smile said it all! We were so proud of both of them, and it got us thinking about where Zoe was a year ago. After we watched the class, I noticed in my Facebook memories that Zoe had lost her filly exactly one year prior to the win.”

Meant To Be

What Michele and No More Doubts are achieving is truly a testament of Zoe’s character and how far she has come in a short amount of time, especially after having been turned out to raise babies for five years, explains Holly.  “Not many mares bounce back like that mentally. We are so blessed to have her in our family and are so proud of how she’s worked out with Michele.”

Even more remarkably, Michele is following this new path with Zoe not only as a beginner, but also as a DIY Amateur.  “I don’t have a trainer,” explains Michele. “I lease Zoe from the Phalens and board at the Phalen Equestrian Center & Hotel.  I ride and practice there with my friends, Stacey Becker, Shelly Phalen and Holly Phalen.”

Michele says as a retired I/O psychologist and professional development coach, she’s completely grateful to Zoe and all she is teaching her about herself and riding, and she can’t wait to see what the future holds. “I love learning and growing. With Zoe, I am doing that by leaps and bounds. Not only is Zoe an amazing performer; she is also one heck of a producer. Needless to say, she has been making my dreams come true.”