Hechicera PM ~ My Story

The afternoon was no different than the previous I had experienced at the Nationals. But all of a sudden I heard the call from my owners, “show time, get her ready”. It was late afternoon and I was being groomed and saddled. This was not a normal Monday. What’s up? My owners were dressed in show attire but I had already shown in my two saddle classes already.

We walked towards the arena but something was different. As we arrived, Bill climbed aboard but we were not going to be checked in. Instead we walked into the aisle way leading into the arena. There was a class being worked off and I just stood and watched. Sarah Hold was conversing with my owners and the last thing I heard was “the arena is yours, it’s time to show off”. C.J. Marcello walked by and said “congratulations to all of you on your award”. Is there something someone forgot to tell me?

The class in the arena was pinned and soon departed. The gate was opened and Bill asked for my attention. We entered the arena in a solid corto but this was different than usual. I was wearing my two national championship ribbons I had won the previous two day’s under saddle in pleasure. We turn the far end but I know something is different. As we pass the gate again, Bill puts his calves against my side and I move to a largo. I feel great but there is not another horse in the show ring. As we finish the lap, Bill steers me towards the sounding board. I arrive at the board and continue in perfect gait and rhythm asking everyone to look and listen to me. As we finish, we line up at the end of the arena. At this point I am completely lost. Then Dwayne and “Woody” line up beside me with Sharon Quinn Dixon, the Timberline saddle rep, and two other award presenters. There is a new Timberline saddle on me, a beautiful crystal plaque with my name on it, and a large plaque from the PFHA office with my name on it as well. Photographers arrive and we take several photos. I now listen to the announcer's voice and hear a dream come true. I am announced by my name, Hechicera PM and I have been awarded the PFHA 2004 Horse of the Year. I am speechless!!!

This dream comes true for only one horse and owner each year and getting from point A to point B is a year filled with excitement and determination. The horse and exhibitor must be right on from the first show to the last event giving everything the team has, as competition is outstanding in every class you enter. As a horse trying to accomplish this high honor, you must exhibit the natural gifts and talent your parents bestow upon you. I was lucky because my parents are national champion show horses.

Ponderosa Coloso is my father and he has given me all the qualities that I need to show the naturalness of gait and rhythm anyone would want. He has won several national championships under saddle and was the 2000 Grand National Champion Stallion in bella forma. How could I go wrong? I took every ounce of his ability he offered and made my way towards this moment. I followed his footsteps as a two year old and won the National Championship Bella Forma title as well as finishing as the Reserve Grand National Champion the same year. My mother was Predelecta del Fuego who passed to me the inspiration to rise to the top. She also has won the mare Bella Forma National Championship and was Reserve National Champion Pleasure Mare. As I leave the arena, cheers and accolades are thrown towards me for the offering. I gave them my all as I have done throughout the year, but now I will go down in history as the winner.

On my trip back toward the stall, I reflected on my last twelve months. I showed in Raleigh, NC at the State Fair last fall before taking the winter off. Before I knew it, we were going to Clemson, SC where I showed in Bella Forma and pleasure classes. My owners praised me on the way home as I helped pay the show bill winning High Point mare for the show!! Then it was off to Lexington, VA and then to Asheville, NC. I was on a roll, showing my natural talent and confirmation as my exhibitors called upon me to rise to the top of my game for those championship classes and tough saddle classes. I responded every time giving it my all to please these judges and onlookers alike. I finished the show season winning numerous time at Murfreesboro and putting the fun factor back in it for all of us. I have amassed almost 800 points in Bella Forma Mares for the year and an equal amount in the riding classes. I absolutely love my job!

I am called upon again to be part of the Get of Sire class on Thursday for my father. My siblings and I win a tough competition for another National Championship. After pictures and praise from my owners, we head back to the stall. But this time I hear someone ask something I have never heard. “Would you saddle her and let my trainer ride her to see how he likes her?” Before I know it I am saddled and headed towards a warm up arena. Dwayne rides me through a few patterns to get my attention and give me flexibility I will need. The onlookers are from upstate New York and I recognize the farm name on their shirts ... Buttermilk Farm. Luis Figueroa mounts the saddle and steers me towards the rail. I show my natural gait and rhythm under many tests and I can tell he is pleased. Leo Lomangino asked Luis to bring me close so he may inspect me. Now it’s time for the ultimate test. Gloria Hall now takes the saddle and asks for my attention. I am eager to please and impress. As we make our way back to the rail, Gloria is all smiles announcing how wonderful I am, never missing a beat. I now hear the three words that will change my future-“We want her!!!”. I am so lucky to be purchased for a personal riding horse for Gloria and maybe at times for some very special riders who visit the farm and want to experience a natural Paso Fino show horse. These people are absolutely awesome and have given me a home that is hard to dream for.

I know my previous owners will miss me at the State Fair, which comes soon after the Nationals. I gave them something that I will never forget nor will “Team Coloso” as they prepare for the 2005 show season. But from now on I will remember that Monday afternoon at the Nationals when I heard a voice call my name for the highest honor bestowed upon a horse for a single year ...“Hechicera PM ... the 2004 Paso Fino Horse Association Horse of the Year!!!”.

~ Dwayne Tilley