BY CHEYENNE CRACRAFT, JUNIOR JOURNALIST
Katie Ward-Crummey, 11, rides Kiptys Gogo Rocket in speed events. The 21-year-old mare has lost one eye and is partially blind in the other eye.
Kiptys Gogo Rocket, ridden by Katie Ward-Crummey, 11, of Campo, California, was purchased for $100 20 years ago.
“My mom bought ‘Suzie’ when she was a yearling,” Katie said about her 21-year-old speed-event mare. Suzie was kicked in the head by another horse before Katie’s mother purchased her.
“Her retina was disconnected in her left eye, and she is also partially blind in her right eye,” Katie said. “We decided to remove her left eye four years ago. It started to swell up like a frog’s eye.”
The condition of Suzie’s right eye continues to get worse, so Katie has decided to retire her from competition after this year.
“I’m going to put her out to pasture with another horse,” Katie explained. “I will put a cowbell around the other horse’s neck so she can follow it around.”
Katie is very confident about showing Suzie, despite her condition. She’s qualified for the 2008 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show in barrels, poles and stake race.
“She runs like a 2-year-old every time,” Katie explained. “She has been doing these events her whole life. She does a great job.”
Nothing can slow Katie and Suzie down. They have their eyes on the prize at this year’s Ford Youth World.
