Hailey Guidry
10 years old, 5th grade
Metairie, Louisiana
How long have you been part of the horse world?
Not long at all; I started riding when I was around 7. I had a crazy pony named Frozen. A year later, my father started Honor Hill Farm, and that’s when I started putting in serious hours, training and competing full time.
What part do you play in the horse world?
I currently show all my ponies, but my lucky charm is my small pony Captain Jack Sparrow. I also have two mediums, Charmer and Whispering Marquis, and three larges, Hidden Springs Woodstar, Rapunzel and Prince Charming. All my ponies show in the Regular Pony Hunter Division, except for Prince Charming, who is still Green.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
The best part is spending time practicing for competition at Honor Hill. I also love competing, feeling proud of what I’ve learned and making so many lasting friendships. I know we’re competitors in the ring, but we all have true respect for each other as riders. So after a long day of competition, it’s kid jumps, Tik-Toks, doggie obstacles and hanging out together. These girls are my friends, my besties! 
What’s your biggest achievement?
In 2019, I was Zone 7 Reserve Champion in the Small Pony Hunter Division with Captain Jack Sparrow. That was really an awesome year! This year my goal was to qualify all my ponies for Pony Finals, and all my ponies qualified! I’m hoping to qualify for Devon, and indoors this fall. I feel really lucky that all my ponies are Top 30 in the country for their divisions. I was honored to be selected for the Betsy Fishback Sportsmanship Award for Pony Finals this year. This truly meant so much, because I was unable to attend Pony Finals due to an eye injury from fishing, and having to have surgery.
What are your goals for the future?
I hope to qualify for Harrisburg and Washington, and take home some tricolored ribbons. But more than anything, I would love, love to be champion at Pony Finals one day, and also start showing in the jumpers soon. My dream is going to an equestrian-based college, and one day be good enough to be considered for the US Equestrian Olympic Team. I’ve always loved animals, so being a veterinarian is my future dream job. What can I say? I’m a girl with many dreams, and I’ve set big goals for myself.
What’s the best thing about your life?
Riding is what I love and cherish the most. I feel lucky to have my family and friends’ support me at my shows, especially Mom and Dad, whose total commitment is a true blessing. My bubbs Ashton, sisters McKinley and McKaelyn and my Nana are my biggest fans. Everyone tends to spoil me, true perks to being the youngest! I love Honor Hill Farm, with its beautiful lakes to fish in (note to self: wear safety goggles!), and getting to ride bareback in the lake on my Western ponies. It’s everything I love all wrapped up in one place. My competition ponies, European jumper horses, cows, barn cats, bunnies, pet turtles, miniature ponies, Munchac deer, and bearded dragon are all there. Oh, let’s not forget the three pups, Bella, Baxter and Lexie. Last, and definitely least, Mango the sun conure, better known as the spawn of Satan. BTW, not my favorite!
Best-kept secret about what you do?
I want to keep my best-kept secret a secret! But I will share something that someone who I love and is very special to me once said: “I live for the moment when the horse leaves the ground and when it lands.” That’s my motto.
