Page 55 - 2304

FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES APRIL 2011 53

Angela bonds with Hallie, the mare they found in Ireland

Angela and Hallie compete

have to show. I love it when she gets me out of school so we can go to a lesson or a show – it’s sort of like we are partners in crime because I am getting out of school and she is getting out of work.

Sidelines: What are some of the joys you have encountered from riding with your daughter?

AM: Most teenage girls and their moms tend to drift apart, especially during the teenage years. We work hard together, laugh a lot and pitch in to help each other when I have a long day at the offce or when Megan has a lot of homework or a big test or paper coming up. I can remember when Megan was younger she rode just because her brother and I did. Every day we had to pry her away from the cartoons after school to ride. Then suddenly it all changed. She fell head over heels in love with a horse we had on the farm. His name was Foreign Exchange and they just clicked. They were virtually unstoppable in the children’s hunters for three years and Megan won more classes and championships on him than all the rest of us combined. He was the horse of a

lifetime for her, and defnitely changed her life. The discipline and responsibility that having a horse taught me as a kid had a huge impact on who I am today, and I think it has had a similar impact on Megan. These are life skills that will serve her well no matter what she does when she “grows up” and I am glad I was a part in instilling these values.

Sidelines: What would you like to see Megan accomplish in her riding career?

AM: This is Megan’s last junior year and I hope she qualifes for the year end equitation fnals on our equitation horse and can go to indoors on  

our jumper. I know she also wants to participate in the Emerging Athletes Program and I hope she can. My son did and it was an excellent experience for him.

Sidelines: Your mom describes you as a serious, hard working and dedicated rider that can be ridiculously funny. How would you describe your mother?

MM: I would describe her as kind, dedicated, hard working, intelligent, loyal, a super-mom, good rider and an excellent multi-tasker.

Sidelines: Do you and Megan have any dramatic differences when it comes to riding?

AM: Megan is always impeccably turned out when she rides for lessons. Her hair is perfect, nails painted, pearl earrings, makeup, scarves, breeches and boots. I am old school, jeans and full chaps with paddock boots. She makes fun of me and I make fun of her.