Kenzie & Percy
photo credit: Teens & Oregon Mustangs
Trainer Bio:
Hi- My name is Makenzie (Kenzie) and I am 13 years old. This is my first time doing the Teens & Oregon Mustang Challenge. I like school and enjoy learning. I spend lots of time reading, participating in drama and riding horses. I was recently awarded a grant for $10,000.00 to create a computer lab for my local YMCA. During the winter I will be working on buying computers and designing the computer lab. I am also working on getting a Lego robotics team at the YMCA. I love horses and have been riding for about 4 years. My yearling’s name is Percy and he was named after my favorite book.
1st Percy Update- May 28th
Percy is such a great yearling. I cannot believe he was considered unadoptable. He is curious, which helps in his training. He is also stubborn at times. I have been able to remove his BLM tag, lead him inside and outside the round pen. He will go over a wooden bridge and I have been able to lift his front feet. I have also been able to groom him and get him looking adorable. Most of the time he comes when he is called. When I introduced the big blue ball in the round pen Percy was timid and curious. He came close to it and then ran away, then he came closer to it and ran away, finally he came up to it and touched it. It was so cute. I love Percy and can’t wait for summer so I can have more time to spend with him.
Things with Percy are great… I have been making lots of loud noises, putting a tarp on him and making him walk over it. I can lift all four feet, he will walk over poles, and sometimes he will stop and back. However, it isn’t always on command. I can’t wait for the trainer day’s coming because I want to get to know the other trainers, see the other yearlings and of course learn how to better prep my yearling for the competition.
A little boy at the barn where I keep Percy has fallen in love with him. The way he says Percy’s name is so cute. Yesterday, I was taking to his mom and she mentioned that they would want to bid on Percy. That would be so great because I know her son loves him as much as I do. Plus, I would get to see him all the time at the barn. More than anything I want Percy to go to a good home. I just think he is the greatest yearling ever.
Percy is doing great. On July 4th we walked in the St. Paul parade and he did amazing. He is a fast walker and I had to keep slowing him down, but loud sounds, crowds of people and all the stuff going on didn’t cause him any concern. I was a very proud mother.
Percy is getting very good at going through obstacles, we have been doing a little showmanship work and we are starting to think about what we want to do for the freestyle part of the competition. Percy has attend two trainer days and that has been a great help. The trainers have been awesome and both Percy and I have learned a lot.
Last week the newspaper came out and interviewed me at the barn. Percy did a good job standing for the long interview and was okay at the many different things I made him do for the pictures. However, it was a long day for both of us. The article turned out good and hopefully it will get more people attending the event.
Next week Percy and I go to camp. I am so excited to attend horse camp and have Percy with me. This will be a great opportunity to expose Percy to new people and give him a new experience. I think Percy is the best yearling and I am having a great summer spending my time with him.
The newspaper article….
http://democratherald.com/news/article_b836a37e-059a-11e4-88a4-001a4bcf887a.html
Kenzies Percy Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/KenzieandPercy
Percy is wearing a saddle and is doing great. We have been working on showmanship and he is doing good at setting up. We are also working on ideas for our freestyle routine. I am getting nervous for the competition but also looking forward to it.
I had an awesome experience at the BLM and I hope we get to do it again. I didn’t see Percy’s mom, she is in long-term holding. This means that she is older then 10 years old or she was adopted and sent back 3 times. I don’t know which.
I can’t believe it’s almost the end. Percy and I have gone through so much together. He is now pretty good at showmanship and we know what we’re going to do for the freestyle (it’s a surprise!). I’m very nervous for the competition but I know Percy will do great. I wish the other trainers luck with their mustangs in these final weeks.