I grew up in Duanesburg. My mom, Bonnie Saddlemire, (also a member!) always had horses and ponies around. My first pony was named Patches (a pinto).
I trained my first pony in 1976, a yearling I named Flash (another pinto). We bought him at the Chincoteague Pony Round Up for only $60. As of 2006, he was living in Westerlo, enjoying retirement.
In 1990, I owned a Quarter horse named The Predecessor who I trained to championships in Western Pleasure and Work Performance.
I took a loooong break after that to settle into adult life (husband/kids). When my son was 4, I announced that we were moving to the country – no more city life for this country girl.
We ended up in the Hilltowns and soon after I purchased a Morgan named D.H. Dr. Pepper from Jean Siebe - then told my husband he’d better build a barn! We won many huntseat starter classes together and he took my daughter safely through Leadline. He’s now enjoying retirement cruising the trails with Mary Ann Newell in Altamont.
In 2004, I bought Special Classic Dator (paint). He and I won many starter classes together in our pony club and loved being at the Altamont Fair each year in the pony exhibit. I didn’t have the time to finish him so I sold him to Mackenzie Lewis - her first horse. They have done beautifully together using Parelli Natural Horsemanship. It was worth the wait to find the perfect home!
I’ve since found my true calling – gaited horses (spotted, of course). I have two that are 5 years old now. After Dark Delite is black and white and Splash of Colors is a champagne overo. They are so opposite – just like kids. I have had the best time ever riding and showing them. In 2007, Splash won champion Starter Pony in my pony club and Prince took reserve champion performance in the Walker club. Guess I have a pretty steady hand in the mint julep class! I took Splash to the Equine Affair in 2007 for a gaited horse clinic – what a GREAT time we had. I would love to do exhibitions.
In 2007, I had to put my 30 year old Percheron, Silver down. We rescued him from the kill buyers at New Holland Auction Stables in PA. He was the best horse I’ve ever owned.
The other “horse” love of my life is Shrek, a grey Hanoverian. He’s a gorgeous, gentle giant that I bought from a hunter/jumper stable where he was “taking up needed space”. He didn’t even have a name. He could no longer jump due to an injury and the vet said he was good for nothing but meat – nice, huh?! Well, I bought him for $700 and he’s been a blast ever since.
Theresa Reynolds
“It’s what you do that defines you”
“life is good…gaited horses make it better”
My name is Kayla Reynolds, I’ll be 11 this year.
I started Leadline when I was 4 riding my mom’s Morgan, D.H. Dr. Pepper. I won many leadline ribbons on him and on my mom’s Paint, Special Classic Dator.
When I turned 5 my mom bought me a little black pony for Christmas. I named her Clover. I showed her at the Altamont Fair Pony show for 2 years. She won “Most Reliable Child’s Pony”.
I loved to walk her around the pony barns and everyone would stop and want to pet her and take their picture with her. I outgrew Clover when I turned 7 so my mom sold her to another little girl to enjoy (I’m still mad about that!)
She then bought me a pinto that I named Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue. I started showing him in walk-trot in 2006, but my favorite thing to do is trail ride. I love to canter out in the fields. My mom says I’m outgrowing him, but I won’t let her sell him!