My name is Katharine Weesner (Katie). I am 24 years old and I have lived most of my life in Morristown, IN. I am a sales consultant for JT International Dist., Inc. I have been watching RHPC in parades and participating with the group from the ground for a while. I am really looking forward to attending clinics and qualifying as a rider. I think parades are so much fun, I just love to see the smiles on the faces of kids and adults. I am really looking forward to seeing those smiles from horseback.

My Aunt Nikki, who was an Instructor at Kauffman Stables, introduced me to horses when I was little. She instructed me in huntseat riding. When I was about six years old, my family moved and I began taking barrel-racing lessons from Pam Mack at 6M Ranch. In the middle of my 5th grade year, my family moved again and I returned to huntseat riding while taking lessons at Windstar Arabians.

I have shown a few years in 4H in Marion County and Hancock County horse and pony program. I first showed a 34-year-old Quarter Horse. That horse and I won our county show and went on to state where we took 6th place. We might have placed higher but he was WAY too excited. He was a great partner for me but he had to be put down a few years ago after suffering a massive stoke.

The first horse that was really “mine” was Sham, a 16 + hand PINTO gelding. I was about 12 when he attacked me. With his teeth, he picked me up like a rag doll, shook me and slammed to the ground. I still have a scar on my chest. I learned two lessons from Sham: First, you get back up and keep riding and second, chose your partners well. Sham had to be sold!

My youth was filled with other people’s horses. When someone had to know if a horse was “kid safe”, I was the kid that got thrown up on the horse to find out if it was a keeper or move on. I have also had my share of losses. I had an eleven-month old filly that I had raised from birth that had to be euthanized due to a defective colon. I lost the paint gelding that I barrel raced because he just needed another job. I also lost a filly we saved out of the killer pen, because we just didn’t work well together anymore. I was having back problems and she was just too rough for me. My back problems also caused me to give up breaking horses, which I had done for a while.

For some years, I rode with some people who were like family to me. I tried to ride the way they wanted me to, but in the process I lost my “natural” seat. I am trying to regain that now with my current horse a four-year-old Paint gelding that I call “Coal”. We have had a few spills here and there but we are getting to know each other and things seem to be working out. I purchased Coal about a year ago because of his barrel breeding, but I am thinking of using him for a little bit of everything. I am hoping that he will be a keeper. He has a personality and I just love.

I am really looking forward to participating in the events with the Red Hats and Purple Chaps. I love the fact that everyone helps one another. I know I am going to learn a lot and I want to be part of the fun.