Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Eight-year old Adalyn McCoy said she wanted one thing for Christmas this past year. That was for her horse, I.B., to be able to speak to her. That wish may not have come true in a literal way, but McCoy and I.B. are still able to communicate. McCoy and I.B. have been making a splash in the area youth rodeo scene for approximately a year now and the pair have already begun to bring in prize money.
The young third-grade student says barrel racing is her favorite competition. “It's real easy and I.B. and I are really fast,” says McCoy. McCoy said the barrels seem to be a favorite of her four-legged teammate as well. Other events in which McCoy competes are: pole bending, arena racing (a race in which the rider and horse race to the end of the arena, around a barrel and back), speed stock (a purely speed-based race in which the horse and rider race to the end of the arena) and Texas barrels (another agility race wherein the horse and rider weave in and out of three barrels in a straight line). McCoy says I.B. can be very temperamental at times and is prone to “mood swings,” but when McCoy comes around, I.B. knows who the leader of the team is. “She (I.B.) knows when I get on her that I'm the boss and she better behave,” said young McCoy.
It takes a lot of work to keep a horse competition-ready. McCoy says she has to feed I.B., but not too much, because, as McCoy puts it, “She's really greedy about her food.” McCoy also grooms I.B. every week and cleans her stall and trailer (probably McCoy's least favorite job). McCoy also gives I.B. an occasional treat when she is on her best behavior. “She likes apple treats, but her favorite is probably alfalfa hay,” added McCoy.
Currently, McCoy competes in several rodeo associations, including the Southern Junior Rodeo Association (SJRA), the Georgia/Florida Youth Rodeo and others. McCoy hopes that within the next couple of years, she will be able to qualify for the SJRA finals in Shawnee, Okla.
Although I.B. may not talk to McCoy in the same manner that “Mr. Ed” spoke to his friend, Wilbur, the two do share a special bond. They also make a pretty good team.
Adalyn is the daughter of Kyle McCoy and Robyn McCoy. She is the granddaughter of Robbie and Tracey Morse, of Pinetta.