“I’ve always loved horses, ever since I was real little.”
It’s obvious when one sees and talks to Vicki Smith, and that’s generally, as would be expected, at something to do with horses.
“I pretty much grew up riding horses in Texas. We had cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, about everything, but really just a hobby farm. Still, there were a lot of crops. If my parents put a seed in the soil, it would grow, but I didn’t inherit that ability,” Vicki said.
Her Mom and two sisters liked and rode horses, too, while four brothers and her Dad, who was serving in the Air Force, were more into cars and mechanics.
A Welsh pony, Duchess, was Vicki’s first personal mount, but “she was moody, a little ornery, mean sometimes, and would rear up. She’d sure give us kids a ride around the farm.
“I was in FFA during high school, showed Red Angus and Santa Gertrudis, did pretty well with them, and really enjoyed it. But, I never did show horses, until I came to Kansas,” Vicki said.
Strictly riding for enjoyment, Vicki, as a 14-year-old, got a half-Arabian mare called Princess, and later a half-Arabian, Quarter Horse, Stormy.
With her lifelong interest in working with livestock, Vicki, after high school, continued her education in Waco, Texas, and became a registered veterinary technician.
Serving in the Army, her husband John was transferred to Fort Riley in 1990, and Vicki brought her two horses to Kansas, and started working in the veterinary college at Kansas State University.
After a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, John was discharged from the service and works as a machine operator in Junction City. The couple lives on a seven-acre place, west of Manhattan, where Vicki still has two horses.
“I kept my half-Arabians for a while, and then leased some horses, when our children Jessica and Sam were old enough to get involved with horses. We’ve had three good old mares that were worth their weight in gold,” Vicki said.
“Our farrier Jay Sanders has been a big help to us, by leasing horses to us, and we’ve bought some horses from him. Of course, he does our shoeing. We appreciate all Jay’s done,” Vicki noted.
Both of Vicki’s children have been active in 4-H work, and Jessica was heavily involved in showing horses in all divisions.
“Sam, who is 16-years-old now, has always liked horses and enjoys helping with them. Even though Sam is not a showman, he observes and pays attention to why certain training methods are used,” Mom said.
“Jessica enjoyed showing. I got involved in horse shows going with her, and then I started competing some myself, too,” Vicki added.
“We have owned three Quarter Horse mares that the kids learned on and grew up with. Jessica had such a strong bond with Santana, who passed away when she was 31-years-old. That mare was a pistol, but would do anything for Jessica, including western pleasure, trail and barrel racing.”
After losing the great mount, Jessica was “searching for that connection again,” and rode Jay Sanders’ Paint mare called Katniss, who had been in pasture for five years.
“After just three weeks to prepare, Jessica and Katniss won the reserve championship in barrel racing at the 4-H show, just two seconds behind a seasoned barrel horse,” Vicki said. “That was a proud moment. Even though it wasn’t the top, she had put in some hard work.
“It’s the work, time and commitment that count. And, love of horses, of course,” insisted Mom.
The family later leased a Palomino called Vash, and Jessica was the yearend circuit winner in her division one year.
A dun and white Paint gelding called Dakota was acquired as a three-year-old by the Smith family, and has been shown extensively by Jessica and Vicki.
“We were both riding Dakota for a while, and that just got too much for him. So, Jessica continued showing Dakota; our kids are what it’s all about, anyway. Jessica and Dakota won several grand champion and reserve grand champion awards from Western pleasure to trail and speed events,” Mom credited.
Among the shows attended were those sponsored by the Blackjack Saddle Club, and Vicki was always ready to give a helping hand. “I did about whatever was asked, and really always enjoyed it,” Vicki said.
Her willingness to assist soon found Vicki elected to leadership roles in the Blackjack Saddle Club, including serving as vice president, and two years as president, just completing a term this month.
“Jessica is 20-years-old and studying musical and dramatic arts in Los Angeles, so I have Dakota all to myself, and have been showing him. Dakota is already 16-years-old, too, but a great all around horse, despite some feet issues that we have to handle,” Vicki said.
However, serving in saddle club leadership and showing at the same event is difficult, the horsewoman will readily verify.
“I have another young horse, a solid Paint four-year-old sorrel gelding, Bruno, who I want to show, too. I showed both of the horses some this year, but it was almost impossible with all of the things that are required from club leaders during a show,” she admitted.
So, Vicki has decided to let other club members do the leadership, giving her the opportunity to compete more in shows during the coming year.
“I thought I could maybe serve again as an officer, but with all the other commitments I have, I decided it’d really be better not to. That way, I’ll be able to enter the shows and enjoy it more. I’m still going to help with the club,” she promised.
There’s no question, Vicki Smith is a busy woman. She’s in her 25th year at the university as a veterinarian technician and working in parasitology.
That fulltime job, plus serving horse leadership roles, riding horses, and being mom and wife, too, Vicki is now also pursuing a degree in microbiology.
“I’ve always wanted to continue my education, and it’s not going to be easy. But, if I keep on track, I should be able to graduate in two years,” she calculated, looking toward advancement and new rewarding challenges in her career.
Trail riding has always been close to Vicki’s heart. “I sure want to do more trail riding. I competed in one American Trail Horse Association competition this year, and want to expand on that, too,” she said.
While there’s unending confidence in Dakota, Vicki said there will be considerable more effort required for her junior horse. “I’ve shown Bruno in several halter division, since we got him as a colt, and he has been trained to ride. I plan to spend a lot of time working with him,” she said.
Forever optimistic in all endeavors, Vicki is positive for horses. “They are really helpful in developing youth, and good exercise and therapeutic for everybody,” she insisted.
However, Vicki is concerned about the welfare of horses. “It takes a lot to own a horse, and people often don’t realize that when they start out. These horse rescue units have been helpful in care of horses, and I’d like to assist them,” she said.
Life is busy for Vicki Smith, but there’ll always be a place for a horse for her, she concedes.
