The DIY Balance

By Delores Kuhlwein

How does a Senior Airman in the Air Force juggle her career with her DIY Amateur aspirations? Though her story is like many DIY amateurs out there, a prominent theme seems to arise from each DIY story that’s relatable for all of us. An unrelenting passion for the horse drives us all to pursue our dreams with gusto, whether we have steady, professional guidance, or if we do it all on our own by sheer determination. Read on for more about what connects us all and what one amateur struggling to balance it all has learned.

Danielle Maslon’s story might strike a familiar chord to many – she began showing at a young age, riding hunters and jumpers in a non-horsey family, always determined to maintain horses as a presence in her life.

“My whole life has been working to find ways to keep horses around; my family was never a horse family. I had to find my own means to take lessons and be around them,” she reveals.

As an adult, however, she found a love for stock breeds grew as new opportunities crossed her path: time spent with a World Champion ApHC trainer before she shipped off to Basic Military Training, and her own APHA project, a 3-year-old solid mare she eventually sold due to the demand of starting in the military.

So when she began a search first for an Appaloosa a few years ago while in South Carolina, she posted on Facebook and she was contacted by an assistant trainer at Starnes Quarter Horses about a 2-year-old Paint, Dollar Signs, aka “Freddie.”

“I made plans to test ride him and I immediately fell in love,” explains Danielle. “His brain, movement, temperament, everything about this horse was what I needed. I immediately put a deposit and he came home with me at the end of that month! I’ve had him ever since and he has since followed me to Texas, where I am now stationed. He is the reason I am now showing APHA.” He’s also the reason her dream of winning an APHA World Title came to fruition.

Learning As They Go

To get started on her APHA journey, Danielle showed in her first APHA show with Freddie in January 2023 – the Fort Worth Stock Show.  She was pleased and surprised to take home many Top 5 placings in her Amateur Walk Trot division, and like many other DIY amateurs, she used much of her time there to watch and learn, which she has found is part of the do-it-yourself journey.

“I learned a ton, watched the more experienced competitors, and most importantly my horse grew a little. He handled himself with so much maturity and I was so proud of him,” she says.  “There weren’t too many other amateurs on greener horses, but that’s okay!”

Luckily, Freddie had a great start with Starnes Quarter Horses, and Danielle says they are figuring it out together without professional lessons for now, with the help of her boyfriend, who grew up in a cutting, reining, and cowhorse family.  Even though Freddie experienced a setback when she leased him out in 2020 during her Orthotics training, and he isn’t where many other 5-year-olds would be at this point in his training, she continues to strive forward with hard work as they reteach him.

The Struggle is Real

She explains, however, that while “trying to balance riding him properly, keeping him happy and healthy, my normal job has to come first.”

Danielle is currently stationed in Texas with the United States Air Force, and she says it has been a challenge trying to balance work and needing to practice so much.

“I currently am an E4 in the Air Force; I will be taking my test to hopefully make E5 this year, which is a staff sergeant. I have been in for almost 4 years, since April of 2019, and I am in the medical field. I started my Air Force career as a 4J032, which is a Physical Medicine Technician, a PTA on the civilian side. I recently just completed my training July 2022 to come into the Orthotics career field. So now I am a 4J052A, an Orthotics Technician. I see all active duty, retirees, and dependents on base and I help fit knee, back, ankle, foot, even some cervical braces. I also make custom shoe inserts for those who require it!” she explains.

“Some days I really have to force myself to even go ride because I am just tired,” she admits. “After the first show of the year it has been a little easier to keep motivated because I learned a lot. I see how those other horses perform and I just want to do that with my horse.”

Learning From Others

Although Danielle says can’t afford lessons with a trainer, she found others to learn from at the show.  “There were a few nice people who gave me pointers at the last show and were just overall welcoming. To those people, I appreciate you greatly!”

One of her neighbors stalled nearby had recognized her waiting by the arena for Performance Halter, and she gave her some advice on banding better, hoof dressing, and she also told her that everyone is new once and to just enjoy herself. “She made me feel a little less like an underdog, despite not having the most expensive horse or clothes in the arena,” says Danielle.

She’s not afraid to see advice from others either, reaching out to other amateurs in Facebook groups such as Add More Leg – Breed Show Amateurs Community to ask questions and to better herself.

A Support Network to Stay Positive

Staying upbeat is sometimes difficult, she reveals, even though she knows that’s half the battle and she recognizes how important her support network is.   “As much as I would like to say I tackle everything with a positive attitude, I won’t lie. My boyfriend is really good at keeping me grounded and helping me stay positive. He pushes me really hard and always tries to keep me having a winning attitude.  He always tells me that if I go into that arena thinking and knowing I will win, I’ll come out on top.”

Danielle is currently focusing on keeping Freddie looking his best and practicing how she wants to play, she explains. “Saving up every penny we can because that is my biggest

hurdle right now, my boyfriend gives lessons, is a farrier, and an amazing saddle maker/leather worker; we put all our money together just so I can show and I appreciate him so much.”

She adds, “My dad still calls me and asks if I’m “still spending my money on that horse of mine” and I always say “yes.”  Horses always kept me out of trouble; they gave me plenty of jobs while I was in high school, I met a lot of great people, I gained a lot of riding experience, and they made me a harder worker. I owe a lot to them.”

Despite Freddie’s setbacks earlier, she’s taking it in stride and trying to learn from others and make a name for herself in a big industry. “He tries so hard for me and that’s truly all I could ask of him. I know we will make it to the World Show and I can’t wait for the day we take home a title.”