 Lori
McDonald started the 2009 show season off with a bang – two wins
in Novice Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation at the Spring Classic.
And no surprise – she hopes to keep the momentum going for the
entire show season! Lori, husband Bill and children - 10 year old Mac and 6 year old Paige, and their 3 year old Great Pernese /Newfoundland cross live half way between Schomberg and Nobleton. They have 15 acres - severed from Bill’s father’s 100 acre farm - with a two stall barn to house the two quarter horses. Lori’s parents, Wally and Sandra Bidwell and younger brother Glen live close by. Lori’s family started showing at club shows where they boarded their horse – Melody Acres - when she was about 13 years old. A short time after they started showing on at the club shows, they were introduced to the quarter horse world through a family friend. Lori’s family owned many horses over the years, but Lori’s favourite was a grey gelding by Mito Commander named Mitos Night Moods (Noodle). They earned an ROM in 1991. She says she would have kept Noodle forever, except the trend was moving to big hunt seat horses, so she sadly sold him. The McDonald/Bidwell’s current quarter horses are – a 7 year old mare, "Sassy Little Bar" (Biscuit)", which Paige shows in Lead Line, and Mac shows in Walk/Jog, and mom Sandra’s horse "Playing For Stars" (Coy) an 8 year old, gelding that she is kind enough to share with Lori. Lori shows Coy in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, Novice Amateur Equitation and Amateur Equitation. Sandra shows in Novice and Select Horsemanship. Lori’s favourite class is Equitation and one of her showing highlights was winning Amateur Equitation under one judge at Summerama 2008. Outside of horses, Lori says the most interesting thing she has done was in high school, her family and best friend had the chance to go to Hawaii. They had a fantastic time! After 9 years off to raise her children, Lori is back to work part-time at her family’s freight forwarding business, Exel transportation. The McDonalds are busy during the summer getting hay off the farm and it is always a challenge as haying collides with horse shows. The family’s winter months are spent at arenas, as both Mac and Paige play hockey. When Lori has a spare minute she likes to get to the gym and she recently started taking belly dancing lessons – lots of laughs!! With all this on the go – Lori and Sandra are happy to fit in the Area 3 shows. Lori would like to thank her husband, children and parents who support her in every way when it comes to showing. Lori says, “Horses have always been a big part of my life and I couldn't imagine it without them. Growing up my family were all involved with horses and showing, and I believe it kept us close and strong – that is what I'm striving for, for my family. My mom and I love showing and enjoy doing this together.” Lori and Sandra recently started taking lessons from Jodi Mallette and they are enjoying her expertise! Lori says that maybe one day she will don a western hat and give showmanship a try!! Lori we look forward to welcoming you into the Western ranks! Continued success in 2009!!! |