by Frances Y. Spencer
Macie Cannon, like typical 5-year-olds, is excited about starting kindergarten this fall. She likes to dance and play games with her friends. One of her best friends is a 900-pound veteran show horse name Ty, and they are forming a winning partnership in the world of competitive horse showmanship.
Macie will be returning to Bains Elementary School as a kindergartner in the fall, but she has started a résumé that includes winning her first local horse show, competing in an Arabian horse regional show and being featured in a national equestrian magazine.
The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” also is key to raising a little equestrian. Veterinarian Leah Le Beouf, Macie’s great aunt, owns and shows an Arabian show horse and is Macie’s mentor. Next, a grandmother power duo — Prairieville's D’André Blouin and Risë Cannon, of St. Francisville — supports Macie’s travel and training efforts while serving as co-captains of the cheering squad.
Macie is shy and quiet in first encounters, but she lights up when horses are involved. Both grandmothers agree that horses are her first love. Cannon added, “she says she was born to dance,” but Macie quickly corrected “I was born to dance on a horse.”
This article originally appeared in The Advocate and is re-printed here with permission. Find our more about interesting equestrians and their lives in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.
