Giving Children the Gift of a Lifelong Love of Horses In Memory of Two Fallen Competitors

By: Maggie McCrady, Lexi McGowan, and Crysta Lombardi

In honor of two, very dedicated women, who understood the meaning that horses can have in all our lives, Washington State Quarter Horse Association is proud to offer the “Horse Crazy Youth Project.” This project sets out to make having a horse in a young person’s life, who otherwise might not have the opportunity, come true.

Maggie McCrady presented the WSQHA board with her idea to create a scholarship fund to honor Corrina Girling and Jamie Solomon after they passed away a few years ago.

“With the recent loss of our beautiful friends, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what really matters in terms of this strange world of horse showing that we’re all so deeply involved in. The week after Jamie’s death, I attended the World Show where she would have been competing in Western Pleasure on her wonderful mare, Forever The Best. My trip was planned about a month prior, and I was eager to watch Jamie compete and to support the rest of our barn mates as well. As fate would have it, plans changed.”

“We got the devastating news that she had lost her battle with cancer just a week before she was to ride. It turns out that cancer doesn’t care about the World Show or any of our plans. As I sat in the stands and watched the horses and riders jog down the center of that prestigious arena, I felt numb. It was hard for me to be excited about watching a horse show after everything that had happened, even though I know how important it was, to her, to compete at this level. She so badly wanted to be among those riders. Even so, l found it tedious to care which horses’ front leg fell just a hair softer and flatter kneed than the rest, which hock was stronger and deeper, and who had the most flawless ride and the prettiest clothes and tack. All of a sudden, it seemed so weird and trivial. I tried to get myself to care about who won, but I couldn’t. What was the point? I felt totally apathetic, indifferent and, at the same time, guilty for feeling that way.”

“Then, after the finals of that Amateur Western Pleasure class, I walked back to our barn aisle alone and opened the door to Millie’s stall (Jamie’s liver chestnut mare with the sweetest disposition) who met me at the door with ears forward and a soft expression. I ran my hands over the tops of her eyelids, leaned in, and rested my cheek on her flat forehead. I closed my eyes and inhaled the heavy smell that we horse addicts all know. Millie lowered her head and sighed. It hit me then that the only thing that matters in this sport, the ONLY thing that really means anything is the love, acceptance, and lessons that these great animals give us. It’s that and the relationships with the rest of the people who understand the power of that connection. If you don’t see that, I think you’re missing the point entirely.”

“I think this is the reason that so many of my best friends are also horse people. We get it. There are certain things about being around horses that are unique and profound and cannot be replicated in any other way. Horses teach us so much about communication and how to be present in our lives. They operate in the now and force us to do the same. I think any horse person will attest that there is something special about this species to which we are unequivocally drawn. Within a horse lies an emotional intelligence balanced in a powerful yet fragile being. For some people, the ones who become the exceptionally great riders and trainers, the communication is almost instinctual. I realized at that moment what I’ve always known but have never been able to pinpoint. It’s the ear-to-ear grin you had when you first sat astride a horse as a child, when you felt your first gallop strides that made you feel like you were flying, when a horse nuzzles your hand gently for a carrot or nickers to you in the barn aisle. That uninhibited joy you felt, and hopefully still feel, is the only real reason we are here. It’s the real reason we started riding and showing in the first place, and it will always be the most important reason we still do. The subtle nuances of our Western Pleasure or Showmanship classes are all a showcase of that respect and communication between a horse and human. There is nothing more important and there is nothing greater than getting the opportunity to share this.”

“I began thinking about how I would like to be honored if it were me whose time it was to take my last deep breath of sweet smelling pine and alfalfa laden air and run my hands across my horse’s strong and trustworthy back for the last parting of that day. If I were to look over my shoulder at the well swept barn aisle and hear the contented munching of evening hay for the last time, I would wish for someone else to feel the same peace and joy that I have spent my life feeling in the presence of great horses.” 

Our goal at WSQHA is to remove the financial barrier between horses and children, who are in fourth grade or higher, and who have that same passion we all do, for horses. Once an applicant is accepted into the scholarship program, we will assist in finding a quality horse facility with a focus on an AQHA’s Professional Horsemen instruction program that’s near their residence. The scholarship includes a new helmet and pair of riding boots. We track student progress through journals, photos, and correspondence with a designated WSQHA mentor. Mentors are available to the student and their families to assist and answer any questions that may arise throughout the scholarship period.

We have awarded over $4,000 in scholarship money over the last three years with the Horse Crazy Youth Project. Each year, we privately fundraise to continue awarding scholarships and honoring our horsewomen. Corrina’s husband, Dave Girling, has been a constant supporter each year, and we cannot thank him enough! This year, Gerry Tyne donated three boxes full of Breyer horses. After some thought, we decided that an Adopt A Breyer Horse event would be a fun way to repurpose the Breyer horses. About 50 Breyer Horses were adopted at the North West Emerald Show in September. People who adopted were able to pick a Breyer Horse of their choice and fill out an adoption certificate to take their new steed home. We raised enough money during this event to fund another scholarship for a youth who is ready to start their own path on horseback. Thank you to everyone who adopted!

To apply or find out more about the Horse Crazy Youth Project click here.