Stephanie Cons of Ontario, Canada has ridden since she was eight and started traveling with the drill team when she was 16. She attended a training clinic given by Mary Rivers and was the recipient of an apprenticeship for further training. Having completed the first six-week program, Stephanie arranged for a second apprenticeship, this time working on her trick training. During the faire, she worked with Flea, the miniature horse, having him hind leg walk across the ring before moving to the pedestal where he stood and “smiled” for the watching children.
"Stephanie looks like a talented student, Mary. Can you tell us more about her?"
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Stephanie Cons--Student of Mary Rivers-Downey
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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4 comments:
20 yr old Stephanie Cons comes to us from Ontario, Canada. She was riding with the Canadian Cowgirls Drill Team and happened to be at Equine Affaire in Ohio when Denny Chapman, a superb trick horse trainer in his own right, certified sidesaddle instructor and one of the leading authorities on Cowboy Mounted Shooting as well as an announcer at the bigger competitions was presenting three clinics with me. We used all Canadian Cowgirls for the sidesaddle clinic and those that didn't ride in the clinic (walkers because of insurance) had a chance to ride in the trick riding clinic. It covered both roman riding (thank you Denny) and trick riding.We also were extremely happy to have as our comic relief, Ms. Tracy Porter and her Paso stallion Casadero Sin Par. What a hoot. I digress...rider most likely to benefit from thirty days at our farm after the clinic turned out to be Stephanie. She did a lot in one month. Trained her own horse for trick riding, marching, bowing, pedestal, hind leg walk in lines, sidesaddle and lateral work at all three gates. Pretty good month. She had so much fun, she came back with a herd of Canadian Cowgirls and I hated to see any of them go. Steph's paperwork just went through last week and she gets to stay as a performer with us for awhile. We are thrilled to have her.I would have loved this opportunity when I was young. I ran away with the Texas White Horse Troup instead. :) Mary
Mary,
Don't worry about digressing. Dianne Olds Rossi has a "life partner" team named Baby and Robin, that will keep you in stitches adlibbing in their stalls or the paddock.
If you ran in the direction of the Texas White Horse Troupe, you went the right way. Donnie and JoAnn are the best. I cherish my time around them.
Wade
Mary were you with the Andersons at Circus World?
No, I went to visit them there but was not working for them then. That was my Arabian Show circuit period. Mary
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