Triple Trouble: The MVPs of 2024
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who trusted Kamille with their horses this year. Each horse taught her something unique and played a role in her growth as a rider. Your generosity and kindness have meant the world to us.”
My Triple Trouble series typically focuses on my adventures with my three horses: Buns, Payco, and Hot Sauce. However, between horses being away for training, others needing downtime, and dealing with injuries, this past year left me scrambling to find youth-appropriate mounts for Kamille. While I’m confident she could stay on a rodeo bronc if she had to, my main goal was to build her confidence as a rider before she transitions to handling guns in the open Wrangler class*.
Fortunately, this year brought some incredible people into our lives who graciously allowed Kamille to catch-ride their horses. This is a tribute to all the wonderful horses Kamille had the privilege of riding in 2024. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
*In Cowboy Mounted Shooting, there is a built-in scaffolding structure to get young riders prepared for competition shooting and riding. Limited Wranglers are riders under 10. They are required to navigate the patterns on horseback, but do not need to carry guns or engage the targets. Open Wranglers are riders between 10 and 12 and are required to navigate the patterns on horseback while engaging the targets with guns — either real or fake. They may not shoot from horseback, but need to demonstrate that that they have the horsemanship to ride the pattern one handed while engaging targets. It’s a big step to go from Open to Limited for some riders. Open Wranglers also need to ground shoot (shoot targets from a standing position) to demonstrate their gun-handling abilities.
Xena
Xena, owned by Karla Durnell, is a fiery little pony who knows her job inside and out. Thanks to Karla, Kamille had the pleasure of competing with Xena from late April through mid-June. Beyond competing, the duo also participated in two clinics and hit the trails together. They really clicked as a team, earning money, buckles, and other prizes along the way. Sadly, due to Xena’s advancing age, she retired from mounted shooting, but she left a lasting impression on Kamille.
Photo of Kamille and Xena at the Grace Billotte Wrangler Clinic. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Kamille hanging out at a Northern Ohio Outlaws event. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Luna
In mid-June, Christy and Sylvio Pelligrino generously lent Kamille their four-year-old, Luna. Despite her young age, Luna was steady, honest, and open to a new rider. She carried Kamille through patterns with ease and even helped her earn some prize money. We ended up bringing Luna home for the summer while she was on the market for sale. I loved her calm, easygoing personality — so much so that I debated buying her myself. However, less than a week later, we got the call that Luna had been sold.
Kamille and Luna with their earnings at a Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros event. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Pony
And then there was Pony, owned by DeAnn Long Sloan, and regularly ridden by her daughter Arden (you may be familiar with the antics of Pony from her series, A Day in the Life of a Pony Named Pony). Kamille and Pony have a bit of a love-hate relationship. Pony is one of those horses that teaches you something, often the hard way. Kamille, accustomed to horses that try their hardest to please, found Pony’s stubbornness a challenge. When Kamille asked for more, Pony gave her the proverbial middle finger. From running back to the barn to unplanned dismounts, Pony taught Kamille valuable lessons in patience and resilience — exactly the kind of life lessons ponies are known for. While Kamille was frustrated at times, I appreciated watching her grow from the experience.
Kamille and Pony at a Lake Erie Mounted Vaqueros event. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Colt
Following Pony, Kamille found her favorite catch ride of the year: Colt, owned by Mollie Himes. From their very first ride, Kamille and Colt clicked. She did everything with him — bareback rides, trail rides, and countless arena runs. Together, they earned class wins and even a State Championship title. Kamille showered him with treats and glittered him to perfection. To this day, she talks about riding Colt again once she’s familiar with handling the guns.
Kamille giving Colt kisses. Photo by Mollie Himes
Kamille riding Colt bareback. Photo courtesy of Marcella Gruchalak
Bluebell
Kamille’s next catch ride was the famous Bluebell, owned by Ezra Yoder. Bluebell is impressive, known for competing bridleless with Ezra. While Kamille didn’t compete bridleless, she and Bluebell set some fast arena times and collected class wins. Riding such a talented horse was a thrilling experience for Kamille.
Kamille competing on Bluebell at a Northern Ohio Outlaws event. Photo by Kari Anna Photography
Smokey
Thanks to Mike and Jessica Sheets, Kamille had the chance to ride Smokey, an adorable and kind horse. Smokey taught Kamille the importance of adjusting her goals to match a horse’s capabilities. Instead of racing through patterns, Kamille focused on creating slower, precise runs to build confidence and connection. Out of the arena, Kamille and her friends had fun with Smokey — tackling obstacles, picking apples, and even taking naps together by the end of the weekend.
Kamille taking a little afternoon snooze on Smokey. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Kamille picking apples from Smokey’s back. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Emmy
For the New York State Championship, Kamille rode Emmy, owned by Tammy Angeletti. Emmy is a straightforward mare who carried Kamille seamlessly through the patterns. Kamille loved riding this pretty, dependable horse and appreciated her steady demeanor.
Kamille warming up Emmy at the New York State Championship. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Kamille riding Emmy before the show weekend officially started. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Titan
While Emmy pulled double duty at the New York State Championship, Tony Rupert stepped in to lend Kamille his horse, Titan, in the evenings. This massive black horse, reminiscent of Black Beauty, gave Kamille the chance to ride bareback and enjoy some downtime with her friends. She loved every second of it — after all, who wouldn’t enjoy riding a majestic horse like Titan?
Kamille riding Titan bareback. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Kamille enjoying a late evening on Titan. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Ester
Lastly, Kamille had an unexpected opportunity to ride Ester, owned by the Cooper family, during the New York State Championship. After a last-minute saddle issue left Kamille scrambling, the Coopers offered Ester so she could complete her run in their daughter’s saddle. Kamille felt honored to ride one of their horses, especially since she looks up to the family and admires their speed and skill.
@comin_inhot Rode this horse for all of two seconds before making my first run on her at the CMSA NY State Championship. #horsesoftiktok #blackequestrian #cowgirl #equestrian #mountedshooting #cmsa #outlaw #rideitlikeyoustoleit ♬ where them girls at x many – That Guy
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who trusted Kamille with their horses this year. Each horse taught her something unique and played a role in her growth as a rider. Your generosity and kindness have meant the world to us. Thank you for being part of Kamille’s journey and for helping her continue her success in the mounted shooting arena. It’s also an amazing example of the camaraderie that makes the mounted shooting community so special.
