Showtime in U.S. for Hayley Watt and Famous Preview

Many children are captivated by the fabled mystique of horses.

They are drawn into a magical world of Black Beauty and great warriors riding into battle, before being diverted by the more strident allure of rock music, parties and computer games.

Hayley Watt, however, is taking a different journey. For her, horses are more than a phase; they are a passion pulling her on a path already richly decorated with ribbons and prizes from horse shows.

The 15-year-old, who lives in Busby and attends R.F. Staples Secondary School, has now set her sights even higher, testing her skills to the limit.

Over the last few days she has been competing in the world’s largest single breed show – the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio.

The prestigious Oct. 7-30 event receives 17,000-plus entries and houses more than 8,500 registered American Quarter horses.

Hayley is competing in three classes in the Novice Youth (aged 14-18) category.

The first, showmanship, occurred on Oct. 21. The other two, hunter under saddle and hunt seat equitation, take place today (Oct. 25) and tomorrow.

When trainers Cindy and Sheldon Soderberg suggested she compete, Hayley was stunned.

“I thought they were joking,” she recalls. “It’s such a huge show, far bigger than anything else I’ve competed in.”

Is she nervous?

“I used to get sick before events, but now I’m much better,” she says. “I have a positive attitude and will be trying to do the best I can.”

She adds: “I don’t look on it as a hobby. I go into shows to do well. I try to win.”

Her horse, Famous Preview, which she got for Christmas four years ago, also has experience of the big occasion.

“She knows the difference between practice and competition,” says Hayley.

Hayley’s interest in horses began early. In fact, she was almost born in the saddle.

Her parents recall her as a baby wanting to pet horses, while Hayley’s first memory is sitting on them during team penning at an Alcomdale ranch.

“I went down the line, sitting on each one,” she says.

Her mother, Colleen Symyrozum-Watt, who is Deputy Supt. of the Pembina Hills school division, has another memory.

“Every birthday and Christmas, Hayley would say: ‘I want a horse or a brother.’’’

By the age of seven Hayley was already competing, winning a prize and ribbon at an Athabasca show on a horse called Daisy.

She later rode George, a Saskatchewan Quarter Horse, and joined a 4-H farm club and the Pony Club, a group for youths interested in riding, learning about and caring for horses or ponies.

In those days a family friend, known affectionately as “Uncle Dwayne,” was a big influence, motivator and help.

Hayley went on to ride in the Open Circuit and the North Country Circuit, entering shows on another horse, Sparkle and Jewel, and later Famous Preview.

Success followed her everywhere. As well as money, she has amassed a huge collection of ribbons, blankets, pails, belt buckles, bags, halters and other prizes.

Among her proudest achievements are three Canadian National Reserve titles.

A large space near the entrance to her home bears testament to her many accomplishments.

Riding in two circuits eventually became too much for Hayley and the 16.2 hands Famous Preview.

“It just got too busy,” says Hayley. “Then Fame got his hoof cut.”

Something needed to change. And it did.

Hayley’s success had brought her to the attention of scouts and eventually to Cindy Soderberg, an acclaimed trainer operating out of Red Deer.

Under Cindy, Hayley’s riding regimen was overhauled.

“I have learned so much from her, it’s hard to wrap my head around it,” says Hayley. “I am very, very lucky to ride with someone of that calibre.”

This summer, Hayley’s days in Red Deer followed a taxing routine, starting with cleaning the barn after getting up at 6.30 a.m.

Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. she would ride in a big arena, practising different skills such as showmanship or standing a horse square and backing it up.

“I also learned to trot without feet in the stirrup,” says Hayley. “I got bruises and blisters, but managed to do it.”

Her trainer drives her hard, almost relentlessly. There has been blood, sweat and some tears, but Hayley knows it is for a good reason.

“She wants perfection,” she says.

It is hard to imagine Hayley has time for anything other than horses. It is also easy to forget how young she is.

There have been sacrifices, of course, but she still does teenage things – hanging out with friends and listening to modern music.

Country superstar Keith Urban is one of her favourite singers; there is a large poster of him on the wall off the dining area. And when she goes through her drills in the paddock at home, there is always music blaring from the nearby barn.

It is difficult for a teenager to look too far ahead, but Hayley does foresee a time after school when maybe horses take a back seat as she resets her sights on a possible career in optometry.

For now, however, her eyes are focused on the Congress. She flew to Ohio on Oct. 18, her parents leaving before her, driving the 3,000 kilometre-plus journey with Fame in a trailer.

Before her events, Hayley will ensure Fame looks immaculate, which means braiding, putting on a false tail, shaving whiskers and white hairs, and manicuring the hooves.

Little details are important in a show of this magnitude. With so many skilled competitors, the margins between joy and disappointment are desperately thin.

Hayley, however, can rest assured about one thing.

Whatever happens this week at the Congress, she has already made a lot of people very proud.

To them she will always be a champion.

• The All American Quarter Congress can be watched live online.