I love drill team. When I first saw a drill team performance at the Equine Affaire in the late 1990s, I was
enthralled. I had never seen anything like it. How wonderful it must be to be able to do this, I thought.
Riding on a drill team went on my “Bucket List” right then and there. When my niece came to live with
me in 2004, she had shown horses before, but she was looking for something different to do with
horses. A drill team was taking applications. She was accepted, and for the next two years, she rode with
the team. I was her ground person. I loved it. Then, in 2011, when the kids were finished with school
and no longer needed the “Bank of Mom,” (or so I thought… Ha Ha), I saw an advertisement that a drill
team was looking for riders. I applied, and to my surprise, I was accepted. I am now starting my fifteenth
season. Funny things happen when you hang around too long—in 2019 I became Captain, a position I
kept for 5 years. Although I was on hiatus from practices and performances due to family and health
issues, I am now back at it. And I am still enthralled with drill team. I think I always will be. I love the
practices. I love how a new drill at the beginning of the year seems so impossible, but with practice and
tweaking, it becomes second nature. I love the performances. I love the parades. I love how the team is
like family, always helping, always looking out for each other, and always trying to help each member be
their best. My favorite performance is Kentucky Horse Park Breed Show. I simply love the atmosphere
there. My favorite parade is the Delaware Parade, because it is totally about horses. Close second is the
Dolly Parton Pigeon Forge Parade. That one comes with a trail ride in the Smokies. I have to admit
though: I love all the performances and all the parades.