JUNE JUNE15, 15,2019 2019
MY HORSE, HANDSOME This past September, when 14-year-old Hailey Vantran’s dad passed away, it was an emotional time for her and her mom Lillian Vantran. “Hailey went and spent three whole days out at the barn with Julie Hersey (pictured), her trainer,” said Lillian Vantran. Living in Hampstead, NH, Vantran has been showing horses since she was 10 years old. A niché that she found after tirelessly searching for a sport she loved, with no luck. “It was always my dream to get a Morgan Pinto, so that I could show here at the Pinto World Championship®,” said Vantran. While her and her mom Lillian had searched, they could never find the right horse. But during the hard times last year, Julie happened upon “Handsome,” a Morgan Pinto. “Handsome had a rough start, like Hailey had, with just losing her dad,” said Lillian. “Handsome spent the first eight years of his life standing in his stall unloved.” So when Julie held the annual show meeting, she invited Vantran and her mom Lillian. They were welcomed by everyone they knew, who stood with signs that explained how Handsome was waiting to meet Hailey. In the beginning, Handsome and Vantran had
a rough time working together to do things like cantering. But the two now work together as a perfect pair. Which has taught Vantran to have patience, and that everything takes time. “He is the biggest lovebug ever. He never does anything wrong,” said Lillian. “None of this would be possible without Julie; her caring, her training, and her generosity.” We wish Hailey Vantran and Handsome good luck at the PWC®.