Tamie Smith sent in this lovely tribute piece to her working student Ashlynn Meuchel, who is competing in her first NAJYRC this week at the Kentucky Horse Park. Ashlynn believed in her horse Tyson when no one else did, and now they are representing their area on the biggest stage in America. Best of luck to Ashlynn and Tyson!
Ashlynn and Tyson at Herron Park. Photo by Hope Carlin.
From Tamie:
Boy how time flies! It seems like yesterday that I was nervous and unable to sleep wondering if I would make my area’s Young Rider team, and now I’m headed off to Kentucky to coach Ashlynn Meuchel from Area VII at her first NAYRC. It’s such a great time in life watching and mentoring these kids. For some, this might be their career highlight, and for others, just a stepping stone of riding accomplishments. It is the start to having our youth “think” and “dream” big!
I met Ashlynn a few years ago when she and her father drove down from Washington State determined to find the next “superstar” for her to pursue her upper-level riding career. They rode several horses at different farms in the area but would decide on the purchase of a talented and quirky Irish horse by the name of Morning Star, or “Tyson.” I was a bit skeptical of the partnership, as Tyson had a shady past — one that some would easily compare to the fighter Mike Tyson, and we cautiously joked about this several times. A common criminal with a lot of talent. But something happened between a girl and her horse.
Tyson hadn’t quite found what made him happy before he met Ashlynn. In fact, his current owner and I conferred that a lengthy trial period to determine if the horse was suitable was required. Several wonderful riders would see the talent he exuded; however, his personality would just deter them from pursuing a career with him — until Ashlynn. I would describe Ashlynn as a mellow, witty, intelligent girl who has a very natural gift of riding — a bit of a tomboy, but a “girl” when you get to know her. She loves her family, her friends and animals, and is strong minded. Secretly she is stubborn, which makes her a fierce competitor, and she will be able to pursue whatever her heart desires. Whatever Ashlynn decides to do, she will be great at it.
Ashlynn has reluctantly been separated from her family at age 18 to become a working student for me the last five months in preparation for the biggest competition of her life — North American Young Rider Championships! She has ridden several horses a day, worked endless hours and all with a smile; whether it was fabricated or real, she was taught well by her parents to grin and bare it. Having multiple lessons a day and riding hours without stirrups, Ashlynn rarely complained even when she was at her all time low of home sick.
She learned to be more attentive about turning out horses, the care and first aid that is required on a farm of 30-plus horses and to treat ever horse as if it were her own. She learned how to get her horse fit for a three day; to successfully compete at the intermediate level; and improve on her seat and technique in dressage, cross country and show jumping. From saddle fitting, when to ice, building a nutritional program to treating scratches, Ashlynn will take home with her an experience that has helped shape her riding career.
I’m not certain if the sweet marshmallow (Tyson) will show up to Young Riders and cooperate with Ashlynn’s desires. He just might be the gangster we’ve seen him be in the past; but what I do know is Ashlynn deserves a huge congratulations for preparing herself and her horse to the best of her ability. She took a tough horse and learned to ride him. She has sacrificed being away from home and missing some of her senior year activities to commit herself to her championship. It’s a rare trait to find in our youth these days the commitment and dedication it takes to be the best, and I just wanted to share with the rest of the world that there are riders out there who still have that “true grit” — as Denny Emerson would say — and dedication it takes to compete and be great.
So whatever the outcome of Ashlynn’s first North American Young Rider Championships, she has prepared the best she can. She’s a fierce competitor, and now it’s all up to the criminal or the marshmallow and that thing called luck to how it all turns out. Regardless, Ashlynn has already won in my eyes!
