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Outstanding Pony Profile
River Bend's
Amber Lite
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 Outstanding
Pony Profile - River Bend's Amber Lite
River
Bend's Lucky Ambo x Kenview Penny Serenade
Name:
River Bend's Amber Lite
Breed: Sec. B Welsh Mare
Height: 12.1 hh
Breeder: Bill Roney
Owner: Mel & Brenda Hunter
Rider: Shaun Hunter
The Need For Speed
(following is Shaun Hunter's 4-H speech on Amber)
In my spare time, I like to barrel race on my pony Amber. She is
a 12.1 HH, 19 year old Welsh pony, and is registered in the Welsh
Pony and Cob Association as "River Bend's Amber Lite".
Her color is chestnut and she has 2 white socks and a big white
blaze. She came to live with us last winter and was supposed to
be a birthday present for my brother Cody. But, she was a bit of
a handful for him, as she had too much energy stashed away after
8 years of pasture life. So, Cody and I switched ponies.
We had been told by previous owners, that Amber really loved to
barrel race. SWEET! I couldn't wait to find out! It turns out that
she can run really fast, and that pole bending and barrel racing
are her favorites. I can drive her as well, she is an awesome harness
pony! She just really likes to go to shows, and goes from sunrise
'til sundown and never stops. She's kind of like the Duracell bunny,
she just keep going and going!
When we are packing up to go to a show, Mom pulls the truck and
trailer up, and Amber comes running across the pasture and whinners
as if to say, "Here I am! Don't forget about me! Can I come,
too?" Amber and I are really good at the fairs, mostly at barrel
racing. Sometimes I win first place, but I usually end up in 4th
or 5th place, and often I don't place at all. Usually I have a good
run, but once I went the wrong way, and sometimes I knock down a
barrel. We enjoy barrel racing so much, that I joined the Manitoba
Gymkhana Rodeo Association, as well as the Manitoba Barrel Racing
Association.
I have lots of fun with Amber. We can run to the other end of the
fairgrounds where my Dad is, and gallop back to be just in time
to go in the arena and barrel race. We do a lot of other cool stuff
together too, like dress up in costumes, chase cows, rope, play
games, jump, ride her backwards, slide off her butt, and ride double.
I like Amber a lot and she likes me, and I'm very happy I have her.
I hope we do lots more cool stuff together in the years to come.
And I hope neither one of us ever lose the "need for speed"!
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The photo was taken last August (2003) at the Manitoba Barrel Racing
Association finals held in Hamiota, Manitoba. It features rider
Shaun Hunter (8 years old) aboard River Bend's Amber Lite, a registered
Section B Welsh pony. She is 12.1 HH and was 18 years old at the
time the photo was taken, although you'd never know it to see her
run barrels! They ran their personal best time of 16.858 seconds
at the finals weekend, and ended up placing 9th overall in the 3rd
D of the youth division (15 yrs & under) in a field of 35 competitors.
They did extremely well considering that all of the other competitors
in that division except Shaun, were riding much larger horses, mainly
Quarter Horses.
Shaun wrote his 4H speech this year about Amber and how much they
love to barrel race and pole bend, as well as show under harness,
saddle, and showmanship. This pony just does it all! They will be
starting English lessons soon and Shaun is looking forward to jumping
her. Brenda comments, "I know she knows how to go English,
it's Shaun that needs the lessons!" All at the young age of
19 years old! This pony gives 110% each and every time she is out.
Amber also drives double and Hunters hope to show at a couple of
shows this summer in the team class. They own and show Belgian horses
as well, so driving ponies is right up their alley!
Photo courtesy of Brenda Hunter
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