Melissa Scott adopted a yearling Kiger stud from the January 2000 internet adoption. Sombra is now a Mustang Ambassador that has been invited to the Kentucky Horse Park every July for the last four years. He also represents the BLM at adoptions and Equine Fairs throughout the east. Below is Melissa’s story about her first National Reined Horse Association competition with her wild mustang, Sombra.
"To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to control his every movement. The past two and a half years have been spent with Sombra working on a solid foundation. After all the schooling and riding I felt that it was time to challenge Sombra and myself in a competitive show ring atmosphere, and what better place than a National Reining Horse Show. Saturday morning started very early. I was up at 4:00 a.m. and out feeding and cleaning stalls by 4:30. We loaded Sombra on the trailer at 6:00 a.m. and left for an hour and twenty minute trip to Roan State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee, where the Tennessee National Reined Horse Association Mid-Winter Slip ‘n Slide Reining horse show was held.
Upon pulling into the parking lot, I became very intimidated by the very large nice trailers parked around the barns and arena. The show was scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. I didn’t have much time to fill out paperwork, tack up, and warm Sombra up. I was a nervous wreck. It was getting close to show time as we entered the large indoor arena. I entered the Green Horse class, the second class of the morning. This is for horses that have not yet earned National Reined Horse Association money. Sombra was the only horse in the class that was competing for the first time. There were five horses in all.
Sombra and I were second to compete. The pattern assigned for the class was number 10. Everyone took their turn and waited for the final scores and placement. I was so very excited when I thought I heard that I tied for third. When I realized I had actually tied for first, I was very surprised and very happy. We had the option to run the pattern again or flip a coin for first place. We decided to flip the coin. I called heads and won!
My score was 62.5 with 70 being a perfect score. In conclusion, it was a very rewarding experience. I feel the most important aspect of Sombra’s performance was his calm and willing attitude through the entire pattern. He performed all maneuvers slowly and correctly. Some of the other horses had more talent, but were not consistent in maneuvers and overall performance.
An interesting thing happened while I was at the event. Another competitor made a comment that I should cover up Sombra's BLM freezemark as a mustang would never be allowed to place well. I guess we proved him wrong. Mustangs do not specialize in one specific discipline, but can hold their own in many different endeavors and get the job done."
By Melissa Scott
