24 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Dani Moritz
One year. That’s how long Pauline “Cookie” Cook, who was
born and raised in England, was supposed to be in the States.
Fast-forward 50 years and she’s still here – continuing to devote
her time and talents to the industry.
When a friend asked Cookie to accompany her on a one-year
trip to the States to work for Allendale, a barn in Kansas City,
Cookie happily agreed. One work visa and six weeks later, Cookie
had arrived.
Working on a 150-acre horse farm with 80 horses (half boarders
and half school horses), Cookie was in love. “We thought we had
died and gone to Heaven,” Cookie recalled with a laugh.
Obviously, Cookie decided to stay. She eventually began
working at the barn full-time as a riding instructor – previously
she had done mostly office work. “It’s like a totally, totally different
culture here,” Cookie said. “If I had stayed in England, I would
have been working at the doctor’s office and would just do the
horses on the side because I didn’t come from money. I’m doing
a lot now that I never would have had the opportunity to do in
England.”
Soaking up the opportunity, Cookie stayed at that farm until
1980 – quite a bit longer than the original one-year agreement.
After saying goodbye to Kansas City, she moved to Houston
to work for Bear Creek Arena, which she eventually took over the
lease of and established Britannia Farm. She took it over in 1987.
Sadly, the doors closed in ’96.
Cookie, of course, pressed on. In 1997, she got a job offer at
Great Southwest Equestrian Center – where she continues to
work. Although she has retired from full-time, she is now happy to
be the senior equestrian consultant. “They didn’t have very much
business,” she said. “I have gradually built this place into what it
is now.”
Today, Cookie has put her days of teaching, training and sales
behind her. Always one to have an open mind, she now enjoys
working as the senior equestrian consultant, running horse shows,
judging and stewarding. In addition to focusing on hunters and
e
jumpers, Cookie is also involved in the Quarter Horse industry, as
a horse show manager, judge and steward. “I’m really enjoying it
[this side of the industry],” she said. “It’s a great business to be in.
I enjoy the people. We have a lot of great customers.”
She enjoys getting to know all different sides of the industry. “I
enjoy meeting everybody. The stewards and judges – everyone
is just so nice. It’s good to see both sides of when you’re judging,
when you’re stewarding and when you’re running the horse
shows. I do a little bit of every part of it.”
Although Cookie explains that the horse show management
side of the industry entails a lot of hard work and hours, she says
it almost always turns out great – which makes the time she puts
into it well worth it. She also has a lot of experience doing the
showing and teaching which helps her create competitor-friendly
horse shows. Two years of business school certainly
doesn’t hurt either.
Last year, Cookie was rewarded for her efforts by
winning the 2012 Texas Hunter/Jumper Association
Lifetime Achievement Award. Although, you could say
her greatest achievement is the legacy she leaves
with the success of the shows she runs – such as The
Great Southwest shows and (her favorite) The Spring
Gathering Charity Horse Show – which she runs with
Peter Pletcher.
Cookie also offers a bit of advice to up and coming
equestrians – advice that goes a long way not just in
the horse world, but also in everyday life: “Keep an
open mind and try to widen your scope. Do not just
look at teaching, but if you can and if you’re interested,
look at the overall picture of the horse business. I think
everybody in the world needs to keep an open mind
and not be closed-minded. When somebody gives you
a new idea, go for it.”
After all, that’s what has kept Pauline “Cookie”
Cook going. It’s what inspires her, at 71-years-old, to
keep giving back to the industry that has made her the
woman she is.
This Cookie Doesn’t Crumble
Cookie competing in Oklahoma City at the Go Show in the ‘70s.
Photo by Marilyn Morris
Sue and Rick Whinery celebrating with Cookie (center) at her banquet for
earning the THJA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Photo courtesy of Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
