Haulin' w/ Colleen Wallace
As we go to "press"... As we go to "press"... man, the era of social media is making that term redundant... Colleen Wallace and her great mare, Onetime Is Short, are sitting sixth in the 50,000 Amateur division of the NCHA World Standings. With 32 shows to their name and $19,903.67, the Canadian duo has had a commanding year, making the most of shows both North, and South of the border. Colleen and "Issy" are a favourite pair of mine to watch, and the 50 AM is an incredibly tough class to make the trip to Fort Worth in. For more on their year, read the latest instlament of "Haulin'" below.
Colleen Wallace shows her great mare, Onetime Is Short. Photo Credit: ScootemNShootem
What is your horses registered name?
Onetime Is Short How is your horse bred?
Sired by One Time Pepto, out of a daughter of Shorty Lena What is their barn name?
Issy
Tell me a little bit about their personality?
She's a total princess, "Where is my tiara???" She is super personable and loves people. What is your favourite thing about your pony?
She tries her guts out every time she works a cow How long have you had your horse and how did they come into your life?
We bought her as a 4 year old, she is 8 now. Bill Riddle said try this horse… and the rest is history. Bill Riddle trained her, Jim Short raised her (and her mother) and showed her as a 3 and 4 year old Describe their style in the show pen?
Biiiggg stop What class(es) do you show in?
$50,000 Amateur Leading up to this year, what was your biggest accomplishment or favourite moment in the cutting pen?
When I am working a cow and I am eyeball to eyeball and my mare is in the same zone and I don’t even care what the score is. When you started out the year, what were your goals? Was it always to make world finals?
I missed the finals last year just by a bit, so I thought I would try to qualify this year, this will be the first time I'm heading down. Do you ride with a trainer, if so, who?
Bill Riddle has been a mentor and coach for 7 years now. Everyone in Alberta has been amazing. I could not have done this without their help and support, Keith Stewart, Les Timmons, Doug Reinhardt, Loren Christenson, Brad Pederson, Cody Smith. And all the people who have helped me at shows when I didn’t know anyone. What is the best advice your trainer has ever given you? Is there something they tell you a lot?
School your horse in the practice pen, show in the show pen, not the other way around!
What has been the highlight of your year so far?
The helpful people that I have met at shows. In the show pen and elsewhere. All the times that people sat in the corner and turned back without knowing me. Great show secretaries, show organizers, practice pen people, the list goes on… Have you had a low point?
The first couple of years showing this horse did not go well, missed many finals. We did not click! How did you get through it?
Slowed everything down and just tried to focus on staying soft when I work her and when I show her.
Do you get nerves/anxiety in the show pen?
I get quiet before I am heading to the herd, a bit serious…not really nervous… If so, how do you deal with them?
I try to be prepared before hand so I don’t have a last minute rush to get something I have forgotten
What was the best advice you received in the show pen, or about cutting, this year?
The best thing I have heard is “go show your horse” simple, but at the right time, means a lot. What is one thing that you think you’ve conquered, or gotten a lot better at, this year?
Knowing that the only thing I can control is my attitude. Have not conquered it, but trying! What’s your best tip for balancing real life with hauling?
My husband has really been supportive of this goal. He has taken care of everything at home and encouraged me to go. I also have good friends that I text or call when things go good or…bad… What could you not live without at a cutting?
Could not live without my LQ trailer at the shows and my Sirus xm radio when driving What’s your number one tip for hauling down the road?
I try to have as much information as I can about a venue, but I still get surprised and lost!! Have you had to haul pretty hard this year?
I started the year showing in Texas and I have hauled to Wyoming, Montana, Oregon. What is your favourite show to haul to, and why?
I love our Alberta shows, always nice to see everyone. If you could show to one song, what would it be?
Journey- Don’t Stop Believin’ Looking towards world finals, what are you most excited about?
Love Fort Worth and all the great people!
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