Main Sections

Hailey & Howard’s Great Adventure

New Haven Equestrian and Her Horse Head for the World Championships

photo provided Hailey and Howard taking a victory lap after earning their national ranking and qualifying for the World Championship. It is hard to tell who is more proud, Hailey or Howard.

photo provided Hailey and Howard standing proud after their exciting finish in Junior Driving Pleasure. On to Worlds representing Vermont and our proud tradition of Morgan Horses

Tuesday August 12, 2008

    How many times have we heard the expression not to judge a book by its cover or not to jump to conclusions? Maybe this reporter should hear it one more time, just so it can sink in. Asked to meet and interview the local equestrian was a delightful prospect and sitting with Kelley Kimball-Perlee and her daughter Hailey was a quick reminder in all things are not what they seem. Directing the questions to Kelley, it was easy to see her love of horses and the role they played in her family. By the second question, her face began to look perplexed and she inquired, “You do know that it is Hailey and not me that qualified for worlds?”

    Somewhere in the conversation the reporter had broken her own oldest adage and assumed that age represented skill and accomplishment. The quiet and shy thirteen year old seated to the right of her mother was indeed the subject of the conversation and she went from silent to animated when she began to share her involvement with horses and in particular Vermont's own breed of Morgan. “I sat in my first saddle at a week old,” Hailey shared, with her smile infectious. “Mom held me tight and that was it. I learned at home and on a lead line. First on a Quarter Horse and then on an Arabian named Satin.”

    Hailey has taken lessons with many skilled equestrians in the area including Dawn Severance and Bonnie Sogoloff, but has in her own family free an equestrian who is a local and state legend in the world of horses. Hailey's great grandmother is Juna  Perlee , whose skill and barn has served as an apprentice site for many recognized horse trainers and fellow equestrians. Whether or not it is genetic, or she was simply born with a gift, Hailey has the unique ability of being unflappable around horses and being able to ride and work with whatever horse she is put on. Her interest in pleasure driving and pleasure saddle riding began when she observed her teacher Bonnie Sogoloff and tired it out on one of Bonnie's lesson horses Fudge. That first pleasure driving experience was less than one year ago, and Hailey has gone from beginning to earning a chance to compete at the World Championships for Junior Exhibition Pleasure Driving and Junior Exhibition 13 and under Pleasure Saddle, which will be held from October 3- October 12th in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

    Headed on this excellent adventure with Hailey is her partner in competition, H.R.S. Mirror Image, a ten year old high stepping Morgan gelding, who is simply known around the house and barn as Howard. Now, this is truly an adventure for the pair, because Hailey has never flown on an airplane and Howard has never made a cross country trip with commercial horse haulers or competed in a national venue. The pair earned the right to compete at the World Championships with their championship performances at the Vermont Spring Classic Show in May held in Massachusetts.

    Now one to balk at any challenge, Hailey did admit to a bit of shock and awe at some of the other riders in the competition who come with complete entourages, and are regularly featured on the pages of national horse magazines. “At first, I was a bit nervous,” Hailey remarked, “but my mom told me to tend to business and that was what Howard and I did. It really was an amazing feeling to win and to realize that I had earned the right to compete at the World Championships for Vermont, riding a Morgan horse.”

    As we all know with gas prices, travel anywhere is expensive, and add to the travel costs that your partner in the competition is a horse and the costs go up quickly. Hailey and her family are raising the $10,000 necessary to move herself, Howard and all the equipment necessary for the ten day event. They are raffling off a steer, which will award the lucky winner 1,000 pounds of beef packaged to their own preference for $ 5.00 a ticket. Letters seeking donations from local businesses and civic organizations will also be coupled with a dance and silent auction on September 13th at the American Legion in Vergennes. Another plan includes a massive coordinated bottle drive and a trail ride with proceeds to benefit Hailey and Howard on their quest to nationals.

    When asked if she had begun to realize the impact that this event would have on her life, Hailey responded with the certainty of one well past her years. “I am not sure how this event will turn out,” she remarked, “or if I will be a horse trainer or business owner later in life. But one thing if for certain, I will always own Morgan horses. They are so special and the relationship between Howard and I is so strong a bond. It is hard to explain how special that it really is.”

     While we all know Howard must be a special and talented equine, no one who meets Hailey can doubt that she is a strong and equal member in this partnership. Her smile, enthusiasm and excitement are infectious when she is talking about her passion for and her life with Morgan Horses. While thirteen year olds are getting together their back to school clothes and backpacks, Hailey and Howard are continuing to train and to pack for a date with the best in the world, representing Addison County and Vermont with strength and style.  Any company or individual wishing to donate money, or purchase raffle or dance tickets for this great cause can contact the family at (802)453-2399 or email them at [email protected].

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives