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MELISSA COOK Welcome To Their House
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The Cook Family is no stranger to the horse industry.
Shortly after we started showing at local open shows, and
The family’s patriarch, JR Cook, is a World and Congress
by the time I was eight, I was showing on the Paint Horse
Champion. Oldest daughter, Georgia, is an APHA and NSBA
circuit.”
World Champion and Reserve Congress Champion. Middle daughter, Isabella, is an APHA Reserve World Champion
Melissa’s success in APHA competition included Youth
and has placed Top Ten at the NSBA World Championship
World and Reserve World Championships in Horsemanship
Show. Youngest daughter, Elizabeth, is just beginning
and Western Pleasure, as well as multiple Honor Roll
her show career in the Leadline. And now, after years
titles. As an Amateur she won World Championships with
of selflessly supporting her family as a horse show wife
Christianonimpulse, Shining Impulse and Make Me Shine,
and mother, multiple World Champion Melissa Cook is
who her family also later stood at stud.
returning to the show arena with her 3-year-old gelding, Flo Rida.
<<ExcellenceInMotion
MAKING A COMEBACK
<<ChristianOnImpulse
The quintessential horse show wife and mother, Melissa has spent the past several years supporting her husband and daughters in the show arena. However, what many may not know is that Melissa is an accomplished equestrian who spent decades riding, breeding, and showing. “I have been riding horses since I was a little girl,” said Melissa. “My Dad bought a deer ranch that had a couple
<<Make Me Shine
horses on it. He had this idea of my sister and I riding them across the pasture, so we started taking riding lessons.
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Horses were such an integral part of Melissa’s life that it was at a
Not long after her father’s passing, Melissa and JR
horse show where she first met her future husband, JR.
decided to start their own business, Allstate Signal & Construction, a heavy highway electrical construction
“JR and I met at the Just For Pleasure Futurity in Perry, Georgia in
company based out of Cypress, Texas. While in the early
2003,” said Melissa. “JR was there showing Halter horses for his
years of building their business, they also became new
grandfather, and I was there showing my pleasure horses. We went
parents.
out on a date at the next show and were married three years later.” “Our first daughter, Georgia, was born in 2011,” said Prior to meeting Melissa, JR had ridden Cutting horses—he is
Melissa. “Two years later Isabella arrived, and then
a Reserve World Champion and NCHA Youth Hall of Famer—and
finally, Elizabeth. Starting a family and trying to grow
shown Halter horses, but it was Melissa who introduced him to
a business made it impossible to even think about
Western Pleasure.
horses.”
“I had two horses that year for the World Show,” said Melissa. “I
As their daughters began to grow up, it became very
couldn’t show both, so I convinced JR to show one. We only had
apparent that Georgia had inherited her parents’
about four weeks to teach him how to ride a Western Pleasure
love for horses. It was her passion that prompted the
horse. He would fly in on the weekends to practice. I guess it paid
family’s return to the show arena. Shortly after his
off because he ended up winning the Reserve World Championship
oldest daughter began showing, JR followed suit.
in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure that year.” “I started showing hoping to help Georgia and work In 2008, life began to lead JR and Melissa away from the horses.
with her horse in the ring,” said JR. “It took off from there and spread through the family. After Georgia
“At the same time we were beginning to think about starting a
and me, Bella started, then Elizabeth, and now finally
family, my dad became ill and was no longer able to run our family
Melissa.”
business on his own,” said Melissa. “JR and I stepped in to help until he passed away in 2010. That was a really hard time for our family.”
FLO RIDA Although Melissa wanted to return to the show arena, JR knew that his wife would never look at or buy a horse for herself. “Melissa is the most unselfish person. She always puts me and the girls first. This was something
Zippos Final Answer >>
that I really wanted to do for her, so Cole and I made it our mission to find her the perfect horse.” After looking for more than a year, in December the Cook’s long-time trainers, Cole and Liz Baker, were at a show in Tampa when they first saw Flo Rida. The 2019 sorrel gelding, who is sired by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of Why Not Invite Me, was in training with Chris and Shannon Holbin at the time. It only took one ride on “Buggs” for Melissa to fall in love with him.
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“Buggs has such natural athletic ability,” said JR. “You see
Reserve Champions in the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure
those horses that lope around making it look easy, well he
at Georgia On My Mind and Champions in the 3 & Over
is one of those horses. His size and eye appeal really make
Novice Horse Western Pleasure at the A Sudden Impulse
him the complete package. He has tons of ring presence and
Futurity. Melissa and Buggs have shared their own success
a personality that has quickly made him one of our family’s
in the arena as 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure
favorites.”
Champions and 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure Reserve Champions at Georgia On My Mind.
“I don’t know why he is named Buggs,” the Cook’s middle daughter, eight-year-old Isabella shared. “He isn’t anything
“Buggs is such a talented horse and keeps giving us more
like a bug. His name should be Prince Handsome.”
and more every time out,” said JR. “We are very pleased with all he has accomplished so far. He and Melissa become a
Bred by Kenneth & Lisa Elam, Flo Rida is making his
better team with every ride.”
name known this year, showing in 3-Year-Old Open and Non-Pro, Limited and Novice Horse and Amateur Western
When Melissa was younger, she would get sick before a show
Pleasure events. Already this year, Cole and Flo Rida have
because she was so nervous. Now she is much more relaxed
been Champions in the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure
and just enjoying the horses with her family. “I’ve learned
at the Fun In The Sun, unanimous Champions in the 3 &
that the people who are going to be happy for me will be, and
Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure at The Virginia Maiden,
the others don’t matter. I just want to have fun, improve my PREMIER | MAY 2022 | 23
abilities and do the best I can,” she shared. While Melissa is focused on improving inside the arena, JR is learning to take on the role of horse show husband. To help stay calm while his wife is in the show pen, he often finds himself pacing. “It’s hard for me when it comes to my wife and kids. I just want them to do well.” “Dad gets grumpy when Mom shows,” added Isabella. “He says he is in the zone.”
ENJOYING THE RIDE Melissa and Flo Rida have a full show schedule planned for 2022 which includes The Premier, Big A, NSBA World Championship Show, All-American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Championship Show. “I’m excited to get back out there and show more,” said Melissa. “I of course love to win, but there is a lot more to horse showing than just the showing. You need the perfect picture. After being away from the pen for so long I need to reestablish myself and my style.” As part of her return to the show pen, Melissa is learning to balance her roles as both a horse show mom and competitor. For Melissa, family is everything and since becoming a mother, her priority has been to support her girls as they chase their dreams and fulfill their goals. She also knows that it is just as important for her daughters to see her chase her own dreams. “I worry that the girls will need me, and I won’t be there,” said Melissa. “I have only shown with them at a few shows so far, but I have found that if I get everything done early, I don’t have to stress so much about getting the girls ready. My hope is that my experience will set an example for my girls.” With all five members of the Cook family now showing, having a great support system is essential. JR and Melissa are grateful for the help and guidance of their trainers Cole and Liz Baker. “They are very fair and honest,” said JR. “They work hard to do a good job and are just good people. They are also very good with kids. 24 | PREMIER | MAY 2022
Cole and Liz have done so much not only for our horses, but
Melissa is an understatement. She has put her own dreams on
also for our family.”
the back burner for so many years to start a family and build a business with me. She has watched and cheered for Georgia,
“I can’t thank Cole, Liz and the Baker team enough for their
Bella, and me for the last few years. Now it’s her turn. Riding
patience, hard work and support in preparing me and Buggs
and showing horses was something she loved to do when
for the show ring,” said Melissa. “I didn’t realize how much
we first met and it’s something that I really wanted to share
I missed showing. JR and my girls are so excited for me and
with her. I don’t want to do this without her. I’m so excited for
it’s a lot of fun to all be showing together.”
Melissa and I know that together she and Buggs will do great things.”
“I think she is going to do great,” said Georgia, the Cook’s oldest daughter.
“This is an exciting new chapter,” said Melissa. “I am blessed to be doing something I love with the people I love and such a
“I’m happy to see Mom show,” chimed in Isabella. “I like to
special horse. I’m just enjoying the ride.”
watch her.” Article written by Stephanie Kallenberger
Elizabeth, the youngest Cook daughter, is just as excited. “I’m happy for my mom to start showing again and for us to all show together.” JR couldn’t be prouder of his wife. “To say I am proud of PREMIER | MAY 2022 | 25
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HOLLY TAYLOR-STEBBINS | (734) 368-4138 | @HOLLYTAYLORDESIGNS Ad Design by Hiliary Holbrook
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2015 AQHA/APHA STALLION Sire: No Doubt Im Lazy Dam: Radical Bonanza
World Champion & World Champion Sire
2022 STUD FEE: $1500 Standing in Collinsville, TX
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on m i h w o l Fol
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OHIO PAINT HORSE CLUB 2022 SHOW DATES
Furry Frenzy (APHA & All Breed Open Show)
March 5 - 6
Great 8 Zone-O-Rama
May 6 - 8
Buckeye Extravaganza
May 14 - 15
Garwood Arena | Columbiana, Ohio A Furry No Bling Show (Show equipment/clothes optional) Open $$ Classes Judges: Chris Ann Stine, Chris Arnold
C Bar C Arena | Cloverdale, Indiana A Midwest Connection Series Show Judges: Lori Gordon (NSBA), Randy Wilson (NSBA), Bruce Army, Jill Paxton, Pam Scott, Glenn Wells Fulton Cty Fairgrounds | Wauseon, Ohio
Judges: Amy Watkins (NSBA), Sally Puzacke, Danielle Burns, Shannon Walker
Border Bash
July 30 - 31
Fulton Cty Fairgrounds | Wauseon, Ohio A Midwest Connection Series Show Judges: John Boxell (NSBA), Mike Carter, Gayle Lampinen, Charlene Carter
Hoosier Buckeye Palooza
Aug 20 - 21
Amateur Club Show
Aug 27 - 28
Fulton Cty Fairgrounds | Wauseon, Ohio A Midwest Connection Series Show Judges: Linda Long (NSBA), Susan Stafford, Tom Robertson, Ann Jones Madison Cty Fairgrounds | London, Ohio Judges Sat: Daren Wright, Linda Long Judges Sun: Tim Abler, TBD
ohiophc@gmail.com 78 | PREMIER | MAY 2022
www.ophc.org
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It’s Back for 2022!
a 4 show circuit series
THE GREAT 8
MIDWEST CONNECTION
MAY 6-8
GREAT 8 ZONE-O-RAMA (6 judges) C BAR C ARENA | CLOVERDALE, IN
MAY 27-28
Nearly $22,000 in Prizes in 2022!! 3 Series All Around Saddles (Youth, Am, Open) 17 Division All Around Scooters
GREAT LAKES BREAKOUT POR (4 judges)
INGHAM COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS | MASON, MI
(29th-30th youth/amateur POR does not count toward Midwest Connection)
JULY 30-31
BORDER BASH POR (4 judges)
FULTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS | WAUSEON, OH
AUGUST 20-21
HOOSIER BUCKEYE PALOOZA POR (4 judges) FULTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS | WAUSEON, OH
17 Division Res. All Around Prizes A New Grand Champion Halter Award Series Class Circuit Awards * must show at 3 of the 4 events to qualify. *must hold memberships in MI/OH/IN & Zone 8 to qualify. follow us on Facebook for updates
Zone 8 Website: www.zone8apha.weebly.com • Zone 8 Email: zone8apha@gmail.com
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Spots or no spots. We’ve got you covered. Pinto Horse, Miniature, Pony, YA, AM, Walk/Trot-Jog Solid Registry Horse, AM Pinto & Solid NSBA classes All-Breed Leadline Class All-Breed Open Classes NEW EquiScribe Show Entry Program NOSHA Partner NEW
2022 SHOW DATES
May 14-15, Jefferson, WI September 10-11, Oshkosh, WI August 19-22, Winona, MN Jubilee Show (hosted with MNPtHA & Min-I-Kota PtHA)
Youth Activities l Royalty Program l Grand Entry l Gem Show Sponsorship Program Elite “Heels Down” All-Around Award Sponsorship Program On-site PtHA registration and memberships available.
For more information, visit wisconsinpinto.com. Show Managers: Kathy Findley 262.930.5584 Tina Langness 717.760.2496 WisconsinPinto@gmail.com Facebook – Wisconsin Pinto Horse Association PREMIER | MAY 2022 | 115 Instagram @wisconsinpinto