2016 Miniature Horse WORLD Issues Feb/March 2016 | Page 19

Our journey with Minis has just begun but already there
are so many folks that have helped us along the way! I could
write a book about these great people alone and still leave out
some I am sure, but here are just a few…
Our neighbors (the Taylors) who showed us the ropes early
on and have never hesitated to lend a hand or provide advice
whenever we asked. Attending our first World Show in 2013 we
were determined to take the next step of involvement and we
met Julie Good. She took us under her wing and introduced
us to too many people to count including the Elders. Harry
and Mary Lou Elder are really our “horse parents”. We bought
our first horse (of 3) from them at Worlds in 2013 and began
what has become a family-like, tremendous relationship since.
They have provided countless guidance, advice, information,
encouragement, and entertainment along the way.
Trainer Mike Hlavatovic and everyone associated with Alliance
Training have greatly influenced us in the past two show years.
We had our first horse in training with Mike (a Lucky Four filly)
during 2014 show season and then we added our stallion,
Alliance Boleros Antonio (Antonio).
The Plett family (Dick, Susie, David, Brian, Lesa, Emilee, and
Kaycee) as a whole have helped and supported our endeavors.
Emilee has shown several of our horses -including our first
World Champion in 2014 -ME HE Miss Colorado. Emilee spent a
few weeks out at our Pecan Hollow Farm this past summer.
The Pletts are absolutely a part of our immediate horse family!
Frankie and Darl Nigh took us in the moment we met them at
our first Southwest Miniature Horse Club meeting. They led
us through our first show in Glen Rose in 2014, foaled out our
best mare last year and will help with a few more this year.
Barbara Hibbard has been instrumental in our Miniature horse
growth and she exposed us to our first hands on experience
with performance classes. She lives about 15 minutes away- so
convenient that she’s offered to teach Mike to drive with one of
her horses (Alliance Buck Crusader) beginning this year.
F E B R UA R Y / M A R C H 2016

Miniature Horse World 17