Parent of the Year Award Pony Finals

I couldn’t be a happier Mom parenting the two most amazing girls.  I got this lovely award at the 2022 Pony Finals.  I wouldn’t be the Mom I am in this recommendation if I didn’t have the best girls that make me want to be the best I could for them. <3

From: Bethanie Cooper <bplewis2@ncsu.edu>
Sent: Sunday, August 7, 2022 10:11 PM
To: Pony Finals <ponyfinals@usef.org>
Subject: 2022 Outstanding Parent Award Nomination
 
To whom it concerns,
 
It is with my great pleasure to nominate Diane McKinney, mother of Katie McKinney, for the 2022 Outstanding Parent Award. Diane McKinney has been a member of our barn family for many years. She started out not knowing the difference between a halter and a bridle and has grown to be the best groom, pony photographer and supporter of not only her own girls but of every young girl at our barn. In October of 2021, Diane was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Somehow, through intensive chemotherapy and treatment, Diane managed to make it to horse shows with a smile on her face and a camera ready to take pictures of our girls and their ponies. Diane is the first barn mom to reach out and offer a word of support in hard times and the first barn mom to provide a hug and praise in the good times. She is an incredible parent and words can not convey how deserving she is.

Thank you so much for your consideration,
Dr. Bethanie Cooper, DVM
NC State University 
College of Veterinary Medicine
Pony Finals Parent of the Year Award 2022

Last Horse Show of the Year

Well it was another great horse show. Both girls did a great job.  Hannah got two 6th place ribbons and being all the girls were so much older that was great!  Then Katie was the bell of the ball for sure.  She walked away with a ton of blues, red and Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. She rode two horses Muffin and Peter.

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Horse Camp!

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Horse Show #3

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Horse Show Number 2!

Well Katie ended up being the only one to compete in this horse show before a torrential down pour moved in to shut down the show. But she came out with a lot of ribbons!  You will notice her warming up in the rain.  And it rains during the poles too.

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

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Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Diane McKinney Photography http://dianemckinney.com

Our First Horse Show!

This was the girls first horse show.  They were so excited.  We were very proud of them.  They both got ribbons which being their first show we expected it to be more of a practice.  Katie got a blue ribbon (1st place) and a 5th and 6th.  Hannah got two 3rd place ribbons and a 5th and 6th.  The divisions included rider (equestrian), rider  & horse (pleasure), horse only (under the saddle) and riding around poles (poles).  I think the funniest part was in the car ride home when Katie announced “my horse did better than I did in the show!”.  In her defense Ricky has probably done hundreds of shows were as this was Katie’s first. 😉 HSPers0001 HSPers0002 HSPers0003 HSPers0004 HSPers0005 HSPers0006 HSPers0007 HSPers0008 HSPers0009 HSPers0010 HSPers0011 HSPers0012 HSPers0013 HSPers0014 HSPers0015 HSPers0016 HSPers0017 HSPers0018 HSPers0019 HSPers0020

Our New Favorite thing to Do!

This was the girls first horse back riding lesson and since them all I have heard is “how many more days till our next lesson?”  They are in love.  From everything from cleaning the horses to riding them. By the end of the lesson they could turn them and stop them.  Getting them starting on the other hand was a little more challanging.  Here are a couple of the shots I got hat day.

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