Longtime trainer, coach and AQHA Pro Horseman Judy Bonham of Norco, California, has always risen to new heights, including a recent sky-diving venture. Judy was also awarded the honor of 2009 Professional’s Choice AQHA Most Valuable Horseman at the 2009 AQHA Convention in San Antonio – a testament to her contributions to our industry. The Journal recently caught up with Judy when she was safely on the ground; she’s a treat to get to know.
AQHJ: Everyone has a great “how I got addicted to horses” story. What is yours?
Judy: I was 7 when my dad would take me to ride the ponies. When I was 12 my dad got me a cremello Quarter Horse mare. That horse was real cheap because they couldn’t register it because it was a cremello. It was the best horse in the world. I kept it until it passed on. I knew I loved horses; I knew I was going to do horses for the rest of my life. My dad said that I had an addiction, it was a good addiction, but it was definitely an addiction.
I would walk to the barn; and it was about 4 miles. (One time) I hit a pile of glass and almost cut my toe off. My parents had to go to the hospital with me, and they spent hours sewing up my toe. I was so brave, I never cried until they told me I couldn’t ride for two weeks. The doctor thought I was crazy, I went through all that pain, and then when they told me I couldn’t ride, I cried like a baby.
AQHJ: Why Quarter Horses?
Judy: I love that they always try. They teach me so much about myself and about them. The fact that they are wonderful to ride and to be around is another reason why I have stayed with them. The people around them are, on the whole, the most wonderful people.
AQHJ: What was the best thing about working as a youth director?
Judy: The best thing was the fact that they loved me! I had fun with them. I’m a big kid myself. I had a wonderful group. We always had a good time together, it kept me young.
The dunk tank incident (at the Ford AQHYA World Championship Show) where they threw me in the dunk tank was memorable. I did all the decorations one year, and we did a little highway in our barn: “A route to the Youth World.” I was bent over for five hours doing lines with duck tape, and I couldn’t straighten up for two days, I was so sore. Oh, there are so many things.
AQHJ: What are some moments you’ll never forget?
Judy: I had a horse that was blind from cataracts for the six years that I showed him in reining and he always gave 110 percent no matter what. That was when I was a youth and amateur. He kept my spirit going. He would give 150 percent if he could.
I had a little kid that won the world in trail, and – I don’t know if I can say this without crying. She said to me, “You know, I heard your voice all the way through the course. Every time I got nervous and my legs were shaking, I could hear you saying follow through, do this, do that. And that’s how I won this class.” She won the world, and that’s what she said to me.
AQHJ: Are there other professionals that you look up to?
Judy: Sandy Arledge (Rancho Santa Fe, California). She, to me, is an inspiration to all Quarter Horse people with her values and how you should live your life. Jason Martin and Charlie Cole (Pilot Point, Texas), they hung around with me when they were amateurs in their first years. I just thought they were learning from me and I was learning so much from them and look where they are now. They are great, great riders.
AQHJ: What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a horse trainer?
Judy: If you want to be a horse trainer, work for other horse trainers that you respect. Work for them and learn from them, you can learn so much. Do not just put out your shingle, because there is so much that you need to learn about the horse and how to teach the horse. It’s worth it to work for a good person.
AQHJ: You’re an avid volunteer – what motivates you to do that?
Judy: The industry has given me phenomenal amounts in livelihood, life and love. It doesn’t stop there. I will continue to give as much as I can because of that.
I just got a call that we are doing the QuarterFest. I’m just so excited, so excited and honored. I just think that it will be great to touch other people who love the Quarter Horse as much as I do.
Click here for another story about Judy, a puppy and kind-hearted horse show folk.
