Equine
A Fancy Pair — Kendal Fellegy and “Fancy Sneakers”
By Jessica Crabtree
Little girls and horses go together like peanut butter and jelly, cake and ice cream or chips and dip.
To see a tiny little girl, seamlessly control a large, four-legged animal both mystifies and brings delight to any onlooker. A bond then develops, a friendship, then a love, one that lasts a lifetime.
Ask any girl who her childhood horse was, guarantee her eyes will sparkle in admiration. As they say, a girl’s best friend, someone she can kiss and hug, tell all her secrets to and cry on their shoulder is a horse, of course! At 12 years old Kendal Fellegy is taking the equine world by storm, she and her 12-year-old paint mare, “Fancy Sneakers” also known as Fancy.
In a short amount of time, the horse and rider have come leaps and bounds, conquering goals and earning several awards. Kendal has been riding four years and is a seventh grader at S&S (S and S Consolidated Independent School District) in Sadler, Texas. In a recent interview, we learned more about Kendal and her best pal, Fancy.
How did you get started riding horses?
“My mom [Dawn Fellegy] rode cutting horses. My cousin showed as well. The more I saw it the more I wanted to do it, too,” said Kendal. Mom, Dawn Fellegy added, “When she was eight, Kendal showed interest in riding. She started turning back for us and did well. That was when we pursued something a little safer than cutting, pleasure horses.” Also, Dawn has to give credit to the Sulphur Springs Youth Group saying, “It really started there. Angie Middleton helped us tremendously through the youth group!”
What discipline do you do and what is your favorite?
“I show in Western Pleasure and English. My favorite is English, because my horse is more of an English horse. She’s a very easy, good mover.” Kendal explained.
What are your favorite shows to compete in?
“One of our favorites is the Paint Horse Congress Show in Tulsa,” Dawn Fellegy said. Other favorite shows include the Junior World Paint Show in Fort Worth as well as the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo every January and Hunt County Horseman Association Show in Sulphur Springs.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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