Smartest Chic Olena

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From : Czech Reiner Article A Smart Chic

A Smart Chic Growing up in a small town in East Texas, Terry Owens loved to ride horses. Little did she know that her childhood love would blossom into the centerpiece of her life. "We rode anything we could catch, most of the time bareback. We'd jump on our horses and ride to town or go to the lake for a swim on a hot summer day. Heck, we were lucky to have a halter in those days, much less a saddle," Owens musingly pointed out. It's a far cry from bareback riding pasture horses and barrel racing in local rodeos to the winner's circle at the National Reining Breeders Classic. In April of this year, Terry's five year old sorrel stallion, Smartest Chic Olena and Open Rider Tom McCutcheon took first place in the prestigious Breeders Classic and a check for $50,000 USD. The duo has since won the Junior Open Reining at the AQHA All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. This success has enabled Smartest Chic Olena to be the 2001 leading reining money winner. The storybook journey began three years ago when Terry met Bill Peel, an amateur reiner in Houston and the two began dating. "Bill asked me if I'd like to go and see his horse. Of course I agreed, and we set a date to go to the stables the following Sunday. I had never seen anything like reining. All I knew about riding was jumping on and going across the pasture," Terry noted. Lead changes, roll backs and sliding stops were foreign terms, but it didn't take long for the feisty Texan to get hooked. Terry bought her first reiner (Hollywind Dunit), began taking lessons from noted amateur trainer Steve Archer and entered her first shows. Terry has a passion for life that carried over into her newfound love. Three months later she was sitting at the sale at the National Reining Horse Futurity in Oklahoma City when Archer's wife, Andrea, pulled her out of the stands. "Terry," Andrea whispered, "you've got to see this horse!" Little did she know that she was about to be introduced to the future reining champion. After watching Smartest Chic Olena work, particularly seeing him stop, Terry made an offer to buy the three year old son of million dollar sire Smart Chic Olena. That cold December day in Oklahoma City changed Terry's life more than she could ever imagine. Since then Smartest Chic Olena has blossomed into one of the most exciting horses in reining. "He's one of the best horses I've ever ridden," notes trainer Tom McCutcheon. "I've only had him a year, and he gets better with every run." With $60,000 in lifetime earnings and a host of local and national titles to his credit, Smartest Chic Olena is gaining attention as a breeding prospect. He will stand at McCutcheon's Green Valley Farm in Pilot Point, Texas, beginning in 2002. "This horse has so much heart," Owens quips. "I know he'll be a great sire." The events of September 11th made a profound impact on Owens. "We were all ready to go with our breeding advertisements when the terrorist attacks occurred. I just had to find a way to marry my love for horses with my love for America," Owens stated. That's when she decided to donate $500 USD from every 2002 breeding ($2000 USD) to the United Way's September 11th Fund. "We are part of one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the world," Owens eagerly points out. "And, we are very blessed to have the opportunity to invest in this great sport. Owens was so convinced of the idea that she redesigned her advertisements to promote the concept. "I know it may seem small, but if all of the breeders would join me, we could make a huge contribution to our nation's recovery. All donations will be made in the name of the mare owner to show our shared support of America." Meeting this reiner from the Lone Star state certainly convinces you that anything's possible. She's quick to point out her favorite quote, from Anotole France. "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe. I'm living proof that you can realize your dreams. You just have to believe!" She has believed in Smartest Chic Olena from the first day she saw him and her dreams are still coming true and not just in the show pen. In September of this year she married Peel, the amateur reiner who introduced her to the sport. It sounds to me like there's two smart "chicks" in this family!