Road to Pony Finals

Hi my name is Meagan and I am a 13 yr old, 7th grader at LJH. Horses are life. I have been riding for 4 years. This past year my pony Domino who was already blind in one eye from a disease called uveitis developed it in his good eye. With fear of him going completely blind we decided to retire him. Sadly this was before we ever had a chance to qualify for the USEF Pony Finals held each year in Kentucky. I was very very sad to retire him but knew it was for the best. Luckily that summer mom got a job as an assistant horse trainer at a great barn called Southern Breeze Equestrian center where they give therapeutic riding lessons to kids with disabilities just like my Domino. It was the perfect way for him to stay active and healthy and he would be loved on every day. Domino loves his job as a therapy pony and he's everyone's favorite. But that's not the only thing great about SBEC, it is where I met Smokey. Smokey is the owners pony. A rescue pony who was once very abused and has trust issues with people. He is just beautiful in every way and I knew I wanted to ride him after the first time I saw him. Mrs Cathy said I could give him a try and boy did I love him. I rode him every chance I could. Every ride got better and he began to trust me. At Christmas I was given the greatest gift ever, a full lease on Smokey!! It's kinda like owning a horse. My mom can't buy him because she is a single mom and buying a horse like him is just not reality for her. I understand and am grateful for this amazing opportunity to be able to ride and show him. So to the good stuff. The better Smokey and I got, the more people would say, you need to get him qualified for Pony Finals. So this was my goal for this year, to qualify for pony finals. I was doing it for Domino, my mom and of course Smokey and me. I competed at the Pin Oak Charity Horse show placing 3rds and 4ths out of 7 ponies!! Not bad for our first time at a nationally rated horse show. I was happy but still not going to Kentucky. My next horse show was the Fiesta Classic. I was really nervous because really this was my last shot before the deadline since we arent able to travel for out of town shows. First day was good I got a 2nd and 4th. The next day I just had to place 3rd or higher and I would qualify and I placed 1st in each class and winning reserve Champion for this show guaranteeing us a spot at Pony Finals!! I couldn't believe it!! After 4 years of riding and only a few months of serious training, we are on our way finally!! So with that said, I am looking for sponsorships who would be willing to donate to help me with expenses to be able to follow my dream since I first started riding. Just an idea of costs: Entry fee $225 Stabling $250 Braiding $250 Show clothes $500 Hotel $750 Horse hauling $500 And that is just the basics. So as you can see there are a lot of expenses here. So please donate something, anything!! I know we will do our best and it's not about the final ribbon, it's about having your best ride yet!! Thanks for thinking of us!! Meagan and Smokey