Eisenhower sophomore Addy Hannold and her show horse, Taylor. Photo submitted to Times Observer

“And away she rides

With the best in show”

— A Girl And Her Horse

For Addy Hannold, a 15-year-old sophomore at Eisenhower High School, it’s all about the relationship between a girl and her horse.

“It’s like having a best friend, but without the negative things a human could provide,” she said. “No matter what, you know that both of you will always be there for each other. It is such a fulfilling experience when you can build a bond strong enough to understand each other in a way no one else can. It’s like your mind and bodies are one when you work together and getting to that point may be difficult depending on the horse, but once you do, it’s the best feeling ever. It’s not just some horse to ride or show, it’s your partner. If you win a class or accomplish something great, it’s like you both know you just did something great; you get to share in the emotion and celebration. That’s why I love it so much.

“I started showing horses around age 9 or 10,” said Addy. “It can be very, very difficult at times, but that’s what makes it fun. It’s like a challenge to be the best you can be, because once you finally succeed in something, you know all that hard work finally paid off. I started off doing Western Pleasure, but now I do both Western and English Pleasure. I hope to compete in these for as long as I can.”

It’s what she loves. It’s who she is.

“I haven’t really done any other sports other than riding since I started,” said Addy. “I did go out for track last year, but I am not sure I will do that again this year or not. I was going to try and join volleyball one year also, but it interfered too much with riding and we had just got our new horse, Taylor, so that was a lot of work starting out. Other than riding, I enjoy the outdoors, reading and spending time with friends shopping or just hanging out. I have made many new friends since I began riding who share the same passion, so that is nice. My friends that don’t ride don’t really understand it so it’s nice to have friends that can relate.”

You might say she inherited a deep love of animals from her mom, Bonnie.

“When I was young, I absolutely loved horses,” said Bonnie. “I had horse books, horse pictures on the walls, a horse rug, horse figurines, horse everything, but I never had the opportunity to ride or own one until recently.

“Addy started out in dance/ballet when she was around 5 and after a year or two became bored with it, so we decided to give gymnastics a try,” added Bonnie.

See HORSE / Page B2

“She began taking lessons in Falconer and loved it. When she was 10, we decided to dedicate ourselves to gymnastics and join the team, which was going to be a huge responsibility, but we had made up our minds to do it. Just a few days after we signed up, a friend of mine was telling me about a ‘pony camp’ that a local riding facility hosted every summer for kids. … Next thing you know, I was picking her up from her last day at camp and she had an amazing time. She fell in love with a horse there that week and wanted to start taking riding lessons. … This is where her true passion for horses and riding began and has not even begun to diminish since.”

Addy’s love for horses grew while training at Stoddard’s Acres in Frewsburg, New York.

“We made some good friends there who began working with Addy and also let her learn on their very older safe show horse named Buck,” said Bonnie. “Soon after, they talked us into giving horse showing a try and she loved it.”

A few months later Addy and Bonnie, were owners of Opie, an 18-year-old Paint.

“Opie and Addy developed an amazing bond and she showed him in Western and English riding for the following three years,” said Bonnie. “They even qualified for states last summer for 4H and they ended up getting reserve champion in two of their classes. We made the decision in the summer of 2021 to ‘upgrade,’ I guess you could say. Opie was an older horse and Addy was surpassing him in her riding, showing abilities. So, as hard as it was to do, we bought a new horse named Taylor and decided to lease Opie to another family. Taylor is a 9-year-old quarter horse. Addy rode Taylor quite a bit over the winter and they learned a lot together. Now they are showing in the same circuit we did with Opie and they are doing amazing together.”

Earlier this month, Addy and Taylor competed in 4H districts together.

“Riding, owning, and showing horses has definitely had its ups and downs,” said Addy. “But I don’t think I could ever part from it. It’s taught me to have patience, a lot of it, and that it’s OK to lose, but always make sure to come back better than before. It challenges you, tests your limits, and helps you grow to be a stronger person.”

But it’s so much more.

“I’ve had a strong love for animals my whole life,” said Addy. “I grew up with cats, dogs, hamsters, hermit crabs, even mice. Ever since I was a little girl, my plan was to become a vet, which may be in question now, but it’s definitely still one of my options. Even though I loved cats, dogs, and literally every animal known to man, horses just stuck with me.

“There is never really a break from riding,” she said. “I practice anywhere from two to three times a week. I would be able to do more if we kept (Taylor) at our house, but we board her in Frewsburg. Summer show season runs from May through September, the 4H shows don’t end until October, and our Youth Equestrian Development Association shows run basically from November through June, if you make it to nationals. A practice day at the barn usually consists of two or three hours a day. I have to get there, groom her, tack her up, lunge her, ride her and then untack her, plus clean her horse stall — my mom usually does that while I ride, though. A show weekend consists of getting everything packed Thursday, leaving Friday and getting home late on Sunday.”

Keep in mind, she loves all of it.

“I could definitely see myself involved with horses my entire life,” said Addy. “It’s not like some school sport you do for a few years and be done with it. Horses and showing is a part of me now, and I plan to keep it that way for as long as I can.

“A relationship between a girl and a horse is the most rewarding thing a person can experience,” she said. “Joining Circle M Equestrian Team is one of the best things I’ve decided to do. It improves your riding skills, builds your confidence, and it teaches you how to handle and ride a horse that you know nothing about. We got connected to my coach through a lady we show with. Her daughter had joined this team a year before I did and encouraged me to join it also. It has changed my life in a very positive way. I have improved in my riding, made so many new friends, and gave me opportunities to experience some pretty awesome things.”

Addy may be inheriting her mother’s love of horses, but they are experiencing it together.

“I personally have learned a ton about horses over the past five years,” said Bonnie. “It is amazing how much there is to learn about them and everything that goes along with taking care of them and showing them. From gut health to hoof care to dental care all the way to the tack you need to ride and clothes and items you need to show, it has been an amazing learning experience for me. I am still learning new things every day about them. Being the size they are, it was hard for me to trust them at first with my 10-year-old who obviously had no fear. I pretty much held my breath every time she rode. After we got Opie, that subsided because he was such a good boy, and I trusted him with her. I had to regain that trust with her new horse as well. Not that things can’t still happen, but we lucked out with two very good horses. I have learned to walk away more and let her do her thing; she doesn’t always need or want my two cents, if you know what I mean. … She has taken over a lot of the show preparation that I used to do and has become very responsible as far as all of that goes. There are a ton of things to do to be show ready. I was also amazed at what goes into learning to ride and training a horse to do what you want. Everyone always says, ‘they just go out there and ride in a circle,’ but that’s not the case at all. They need a signal to turn left or right, to walk, to trot, to lope, to stop, to go, to back up; it’s all a different commands whether it be spoken or a spur tap in just the right place, and if they don’t do what you ask in a show, well then you don’t place well that day. I have also learned that this bond, this love between rider and horse needs to be there or you will not do well.

“Addy has a true love for her horses and that shows with how well they do together,” Bonnie added. “I have seen riders that you can tell really don’t care about the animal, or are not comfortable with the horses they ride. The horse can sense that as well and it doesn’t normally go well for either one. With the work involved, the weekly riding that needs done, the cost involved, the hauling everything to and from shows, I can say that you definitely have to love it. I know I dont want it to end any time soon.

“Addy rides English and Western at the shows during summer,” explained Bonnie. “She rides mainly with the Western Pennsylvania Ride and Drive group at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. They show about six weekends throughout the summer. Normally, she rides in eight classes on Saturday and eight classes on Sunday. Three of the eight classes are pattern classes where she goes out into the arena on her own and has to perform a certain pattern with her horse. The rest of the classes, she goes into the arena with several riders and they all ride together in the class. During the winter is when she rides for her YEDA and she shows throughout the winter on horses other than her own. We found out about this team, Circle M Equestrian, through a good friend who we actually met through Opie; she owned and showed him for the first 12 years of his life. We have become very close and show all summer and winter now with her and her daughter.”

It’s what she loves. It’s who she is.

“I’m not showing (Taylor) just to win things and be done,” said Addy. “I want to work our way up to that point. I want us both to be challenged, so when we get to the top together, it feels that much better.”

“Sometimes you find

You fall far behind on the course

Some things are best left

Between a girl and her horse”