| Good Breeding, Good Training and Gutsy Young Riders |
In July of 2005, our daughter, Amanda Brezina, returned to the USA after a one year
deployment to Afghanistan with the Indiana Army National Guard. During her
deployment Amanda was pleasantly surprised and very grateful of all the support sent to
her in the form of prayers, letters, emails and care packages from "pony people."
This year Amanda was eager for the opportunity to once again enjoy one of our many
freedoms: that of showing our ponies and Cobs. When the idea came up before
Amanda to wear her uniform and carry the U.S. Flag during the opening ceremony for
the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America's Centennial Celebration Show and 100
Pony Parade, she was both honored and thrilled.
Plans were made to present the flag aboard our Sect. D Welsh stallion *Tuscani
Dundee. We knew he would not be bothered by the flapping of the flag, the crowds or
the noise. With just over a week away from the big event, Dundee came up lame after
a recent shoeing. I was ready to call the Pony Parade organizer with the bad news that
we would have to cancel. Amanda stopped me from making the call. She felt that
carrying the flag at this very special occasion was something she could do to help show
her gratitude to all of the pony people that had supported her during her deployment,
while at the same time bring honor and respect to our flag, country, and freedoms that
are still being fought for.
What other Cob could we use? The trained mares all had foals at their sides. Our only
hope was a very green broke mare named *Tuscani Myfanwy that was here on lease
from Lynda Gillen Smith of Solstice Welsh Cobs. Amanda wanted to give it a try even
though "Myfy" had not been ridden for four months. We saddled Myfy up to see how
and what she would do. Were we ever surprised to find her willing and totally accepting
of the flag! I called Lynda that evening to ask her if she had used tarps and other
"scary" objects when training Myfy. Lynda confirmed that she had done just that,
though it had been a couple of years ago. We also found out that Myfy was more green
that we had thought. She had the walk and trot down, but hadn't cantered yet.
Rainy weather and Amanda having Drill on the weeked before the parade, left very little
time to practice. Myfy's Welsh character came through and she was so cooperative and
willing that we brought her to the Centennial Celebration with hopeful anticipation. I
prayed that all would go well with this very green mare who had barely cantered and had
never been in an indoor arena with lights, crowds and music.
The night of the 100 Pony Parade came and in rode Amanda sitting tall and looking so
sharp in her uniform with the U.S. Flag proudly displayed on her right side. She was
astride this wonderful Cob mare, who looked like she had done this many times before.
Using voice cues, one hand, and God's help, Amanda and Myfy cantered around the
arena with Old Glory brilliantly flying above them. Then Myfy stood quietly with
Amanda at attention while our National Anthem was beautifully sung by a very talented
young lady. Another trip cantering around the arena with our flag waving brought
cheers and tears from the crowd.
Fortunately the show photographer was able to capture this special event in a beautiful
photograph. This photo is a visual testament to the incredible Welsh character that
Welsh Pony and Cob breeders and owners know and love and shows what can happen
when you combine good breeding and good early training with gutsy young riders.
deployment to Afghanistan with the Indiana Army National Guard. During her
deployment Amanda was pleasantly surprised and very grateful of all the support sent to
her in the form of prayers, letters, emails and care packages from "pony people."
This year Amanda was eager for the opportunity to once again enjoy one of our many
freedoms: that of showing our ponies and Cobs. When the idea came up before
Amanda to wear her uniform and carry the U.S. Flag during the opening ceremony for
the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America's Centennial Celebration Show and 100
Pony Parade, she was both honored and thrilled.
Plans were made to present the flag aboard our Sect. D Welsh stallion *Tuscani
Dundee. We knew he would not be bothered by the flapping of the flag, the crowds or
the noise. With just over a week away from the big event, Dundee came up lame after
a recent shoeing. I was ready to call the Pony Parade organizer with the bad news that
we would have to cancel. Amanda stopped me from making the call. She felt that
carrying the flag at this very special occasion was something she could do to help show
her gratitude to all of the pony people that had supported her during her deployment,
while at the same time bring honor and respect to our flag, country, and freedoms that
are still being fought for.
What other Cob could we use? The trained mares all had foals at their sides. Our only
hope was a very green broke mare named *Tuscani Myfanwy that was here on lease
from Lynda Gillen Smith of Solstice Welsh Cobs. Amanda wanted to give it a try even
though "Myfy" had not been ridden for four months. We saddled Myfy up to see how
and what she would do. Were we ever surprised to find her willing and totally accepting
of the flag! I called Lynda that evening to ask her if she had used tarps and other
"scary" objects when training Myfy. Lynda confirmed that she had done just that,
though it had been a couple of years ago. We also found out that Myfy was more green
that we had thought. She had the walk and trot down, but hadn't cantered yet.
Rainy weather and Amanda having Drill on the weeked before the parade, left very little
time to practice. Myfy's Welsh character came through and she was so cooperative and
willing that we brought her to the Centennial Celebration with hopeful anticipation. I
prayed that all would go well with this very green mare who had barely cantered and had
never been in an indoor arena with lights, crowds and music.
The night of the 100 Pony Parade came and in rode Amanda sitting tall and looking so
sharp in her uniform with the U.S. Flag proudly displayed on her right side. She was
astride this wonderful Cob mare, who looked like she had done this many times before.
Using voice cues, one hand, and God's help, Amanda and Myfy cantered around the
arena with Old Glory brilliantly flying above them. Then Myfy stood quietly with
Amanda at attention while our National Anthem was beautifully sung by a very talented
young lady. Another trip cantering around the arena with our flag waving brought
cheers and tears from the crowd.
Fortunately the show photographer was able to capture this special event in a beautiful
photograph. This photo is a visual testament to the incredible Welsh character that
Welsh Pony and Cob breeders and owners know and love and shows what can happen
when you combine good breeding and good early training with gutsy young riders.
