The Stable Scene

by Kathy Sampeck (June, 2003)

Everyone loves a hero, especially when the hero is the underdog. Perhaps that's why Funny Cide captured so many hearts. It's actually possible for a handful of "regular guys" to buy an unspectacular race horse, at bargain basement prices (OK, so $75,000 isn't exactly cheap, but it's all relative), and win two out of three in the Triple Crown race. You just had to root for him! I know I'm not the only one who was sadly disappointed when the hero, Funny Cide, ran out of gas at Belmont. We'll have to wait for another year, and three more races.

Those of us who were excited about Funny Cide's bid for the Triple Crown will undoubtedly head for the movie theater when "Seabiscuit" comes out in July. Who would have thought that a book about a racehorse would be so captivating? Perhaps it's because he was the underdog - too small, too old, and too lame! I had the opportunity to listen to the Seabiscuit book tape, and it was such a great story, I listened to much of it while sitting in my garage, because I just couldn't bring myself to stop the tape when I got home.

Seabiscuit never won the Triple Crown, but he did beat War Admiral, the fourth out of eleven Triple Crown Winners (1937). War Admiral, son of Man o' War (horse of the century), was the leading American sire in 1945. Her sired 40 stakes winners. Both he and Seabiscuit were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Racing in 1958.

Perhaps you are wondering what all of this has to do with Aquia Harbour. Naturally there is a connection. Her name is Majestic Sky, (officially "Justice in Hosanna's Skye"), and you can find her - a descendant of War Admiral - in stall number 16. Skye is owned by Jamie Austin, a riding instructor in the Harbour. She is a 15 year old black mare, 14.3 hands. Before Sky was given to Jamie, she was trained and used for reining and barrel racing. Now a schooling and show horse, Skye was Reserve Champion at her first and second horse shows.

Jamie Austin has been riding for 22 years. She gives riding lessons in the Harbour while she is attending Christian International College pursuing a degree in Theology. She also hopes to study political science and ultimately get a law degree. Many of her students participated in a recent "Back to Basics" Horse Show, with the following results:

Short Stirrup: Sarah Harrison, riding Dakota (owner Corrie Phillips) was 1st in Equitation, 2nd in Pleasure, and Reserve Champion. Kate Wormwood, riding Koty (owned by Karol and David Lurch) was 3rd in both Equitation and Pleasure.

Long Stirrup: Megan Jones, riding Dakota, was 5th in Equitation and 1st in Pleasure. Rebecca Brannan, riding Koty, was 1st in Equitation, 5th in Pleasure, and 2nd over fences.

Junior Division: Jessica Miller, riding Dakota, was 6th in Pleasure and 2nd over fences. Danielle Reece, riding her horse Romeo, was 4th in Pleasure and 3rd in Equitation. Lauren Kohls, riding Koty, was 2nd in Pleasure, 2nd in Equitation, 1st over fences, Division Champion, and Reserve Champion in High Points. Brandy Eden, riding her horse Summit, was 1st in Equitation, 3rd in Pleasure, and Reserve Champion. She also placed 6th riding Majestic Skye in the Novice Horse Division.

Senior Division: Jamie Austin, riding Koty, was 2nd in Equitation, 2nd over fences, and Reserve Champion.

In other horse show news, Derek Finney, instructed by Marty Hartman, won 4 second place ribbons and 5 third place ribbons at Amber Hill, riding Go Figure in Short Stirrup, Pony Walk Trot, and Pleasure Pony. Frances Lester was Reserve Champion in Student Hunter, Reserve Champion in Low Hunter riding Rose, and Champion in Low Hunter riding RR French Connection. Her horse Aquia's Secret Rendezvous, ridden by Fred Bishop and trained by Christi Hughes, was Reserve Champion in the Horse Walk-Trot Division. In the April show at Lake of the Woods, Frances was Champion in Pleasure Pony riding Foxlair Razberry (owned by Amber Hill Farm). The results of Mallory Miller and Samantha Snow, at the Prince William Horse Show, will be reported in the next article.

Two Aquia Harbour Horse Shows are being planned for September and October. We also hope to have some of our horses participate in the Fourth of July festivities. The Stables Committee continues to meet on the first Monday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. in the Business Office. Everyone is welcome to attend. Happy Trails!