Riding school reigns over competition

PLANT CITY - Horse trainer Michele Tucker has shown once again that her students can compete with the best.

She recently took six students ages 10 to 15 to the 2010 Pinto World Championship Show where they won their two world championships and one reserved championship, plus a number of other top 5 and top 10 titles.

Students at Michele Tucker Show Horses have won 13 world championships and 12 reserved championships.

"Together we took our passion and love for horses and took it to a totally different level," said Tucker, a 40-year-old former fashion model who has been riding competitively most of her life.

Her students impressed judges with their skills in such categories as showmanship.

Sloan Davidson, 15, of Lakeland said the competition in Tulsa, Okla., was intense.

"Once in the ring, nothing matters. It's just you and your horse down center line, all eyes on you," the Lakeland Christian student said.

Tucker has been in their shoes many times since she started competing at age 14. She was a world show champion at 16 and holds numerous titles.

Tucker bought her farm off Colson Road in 2005, where she continues to hone her skills and share them with others.

In Tulsa, her students competed against equestrians from the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Italy.

There was a lot of pressure, Tucker said.

"It is one thing to ride horses and even show on a regional level, but to show and compete at a world championship level takes a special competitor. Going into an arena with thousands of people watching, bright lights, a webcam broadcasting all around the world, cheering and photographers is intimidating to say the least," she said.

Fifteen-year-old Spencer St. Jean brought home a world championship title, and 12-year-old Casey Levine earned a world championship and a reserve championship. Davidson, 11-year-old Eliana Brown, 10-year-old Sarah Hornbarger, and 13-year-old Morgan Sloat earned multiple top 5 and top 10 awards in their classes.

Casey said she looks forward to competing again.

"I want to go to next year's show and plan to work twice as hard to get there," the Barrington Middle student said.

Her parents, Larry and Joyce, provided their daughter a barn and a horse she named Cash.

"I've been in horses my whole life. Riding is a good way to connect with a horse and get to know them," she said.

Eliana said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the team.

"Going to the world show was an amazing experience. There was big competition there. I've always loved riding, but I wouldn't have enjoyed it with any other kids than the ones I went with," said Eliana, who attends Farnell Middle. Her parents, Donald and Maria, had her on a horse before she was 1.

Morgan, a student at Lincoln Middle in Palmetto, has been riding for four years, including a year under Tucker's instruction.

Her mother, Laurie, said she and her husband, Brian, don't mind making the extra effort it takes to get their daughter to Tucker's classes.

"We love her (Tucker). We drive an hour to get there, but we don't want to lose our connection. Anything to train with Michele," she said.

St. Jean, who started taking classes with Tucker when she was 6, is her longest standing student. She attends Durant High and lives just across the pasture from Tucker.

"It's one of my favorite hobbies. All of my friends are into it," said the teenager with five world champion and two reserve world champion titles under her diamond-studded western belt.

The aspiring veterinarian's mother, Lynn, said her daughter's passion is all her own.

"We bought her a trail horse after much begging, and that turned into this," said Lynn, who now owns a barn full of horses with her husband, Matthew.

"Spencer is very good at what she does. A lot of work, dedication, and sacrifice go into this, but it's worthwhile. It gives a teenager something positive to focus on."

Lynn said her daughter has been required to work for what she wants, which included the trip to Oklahoma.

"She paid for it all by herself. She worked to earn the money by cleaning stalls and feeding the horses. It was a grand total of $2,000 to go," she said.

Davidson, who wants to be a large animal veterinarian, has been riding most of her life.

Her parents, Taylor and Carol Davidson, allowed her take lessons at age 7, after much begging.

"It's a passion. It's something I've always loved. I can't imagine how I would be without riding and the friends I've made. They're like family," she said.

Tucker chipped in her services for students such as Sarah, who rode one of Tucker's horses for her presentation.

Sarah, who moved to Riverview in 2008, has ridden all over the United States. Her father, Chris, a strategic planner for the Army, said his daughter enjoys being around horses.

"She loves the barn. You don't have to twist her elbow to get her there," he said.

Sarah has big dreams.

"I want to ride in the Olympics when I get older," the Boyette Springs Elementary student said.

Sarah's interest in horses began with her mother, Beth, who won an open national collegiate championship.

"For Sarah and me, it's special because this is what I grew up doing. For us, it's been a bond. As soon as she could sit up straight, she was on a horse," said Beth, who trained her daughter until she gave Michele the reins.

Tucker said there is a great deal of trust that's involved when a parent allows her to train his or her child.

"As a trainer, you take a child, and you put them on an animal that has a mind of its own and outweighs them by approximately 1,000 pounds and commence to teach that child how to ride," she said.

Chris Hornbarger said Sarah has benefited in many ways.

"It's giving her positive role models and teaching her discipline, confidence and respect for people and animals," he said.

Tucker said she prides herself on lessons she teaches inside and out of the show ring.

"We cook together. We bake together. We do more than just ride. It's a support system. We learn from each other. There's no limit to what I would do for them to be successful at what they love," she said.

Tucker holds sleepovers weekly during the summer months.

"I sleep here a lot," said Eliana, who is driven an hour from her home in Odessa.

"I look forward to seeing everyone. I've had 10 to 11 trainers in my life. My favorite is Michele," she said.

Tucker, who receives an occasional helping hand from her 8-year-old niece Shyla, said she loves the reward that comes with her students' victories.

"I've had mentors. With me, the focus is on more than just going to a horse show and winning. I'm giving these kids memories for the rest of their lives," she said.

Tucker said the girls proved their character at the championship.

"I watched them, and when one did poorly, the others were there to comfort them. If one did outstanding, they were there to congratulate them. I didn't teach them that," she said.