Fast Friends

By Niki Coyne

Four fast friends and Southern States clients put up a strong united front at the Georgia Federation of Saddle Clubs' annual State Horse Show in Perry and at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. Dylan Peeples, Staci Cowart, Kayla Brant and Phelan Readdick, all age 10 and under, came home with plenty of trophies, ribbons and rides to talk about. When asked what are their favorite things about riding horses, each of them responded, "I love to go fast and I love to ride with my friends."

Front of the Fast Class

At only 9 years old, Dylan Peeples is already a state champion. He took home first place in Pony Cones, third place in Pony Pole Bending, and won the 2006 High Point year-end award at the Broken Spur Saddle Club. Dylan was also the winner of the High Point Runner Up year end award for the Coastal Plains Association. Riding on Apache made these the "coolest shows he's ever been to," Dylan beams. Ever since he began riding at 3 years old, he has loved the fast classes. Dylan says the main reason he did so well at the State Show in Perry was because Apache listened really well and "he believed he could do it". The hardest thing, Dylan states, "Is that when you fall off, you have to get right back on and keep riding. You have to practice and keep on trying no matter what." Dylan's father Joey, who Dylan cites as his motivation, proudly says, "Dylan won more this year than I've won in my entire life."

Barreling Toward A Dream

Staci Cowart, a 10 year old champion in her own right, already has her life ambitions laid out for herself. "I keep riding because I love horses and because I want to achieve my goal of being a great barrel racer. I want to be as good as Martha Josie one day!" Considering that Josie is a world-renowned barrel racer, Staci's dream is big! And with her recent turnout at the State show in Georgia, it seems that Staci may well be on her way to realizing her big dream. She took home 2nd place in the 12 and Under Arena Race on her horse, Mack. Staci has loved going fast ever since she began riding at 3 1/2 years old. Her recipe for being a contender is to "practice a lot and make sure you fix the mistakes that you made at your last show". The hardest thing about riding for Staci is steering her comparatively large and strong horse to make him weave through poles and turn hard around the barrels. Staci says, "My favorite thing about riding is bonding with my horse and achieving goals with him. I feel so happy when we do well together."

Back In the Saddle Again

It's obvious that Phelan Readdick loves riding. Even after falling off his pony and being drug out of the arena with his foot caught in the stirrup, he got back on and continues to ride. Surprisingly, he says that falling off isn't the hardest part about riding. "Saddling and unsaddling the horses are the toughest thing, saddles are really heavy and you have to deal with so many straps!" While most 9 year olds are riding on merry-go-rounds, Phelan pushes himself and his aptly named horse, Speedy. They won 5th place in Pony Pole Bending at the Georgia State Show. Phelan says, "I want to keep getting better and better. I want to be as good as I can be."

Riding Miss Daizy Fast

Kayla Brant, 9, took a green pony she named Daizy and trained her into a winning mount. They took home 6th place in Pony Pole Bending and 2nd place in Pony Cones at the State Horse Show. Kayla says that she just loves horses and, like her friends, loves going fast. The key to being a good competitor in her opinion is "paying attention and being smart about how you ride". Kayla says the worst part about riding is falling off, but that she can handle it. Roughhousing with her older brothers has made her pretty tough.

Good friends almost always share interests or passions; a platform to move forward with their relationship. Dylan, Staci, Phelan and Kayla don't just move forward — they run full speed ahead! Their mutual love of going fast is an important part of what makes each of them tick. They are each other's greatest motivators and fiercest competitors. They are fast friends.

Peeples Farm Supply in Kingsland, Georgia supplies the Southern States feed for these fast racing horses.

Niki Coyne was the 2002 AQHA Youth World Showmanship Champion.