Haley and Miakoda
During the summer of 2007, my quest began to find my daughter a pony for her upcoming 8th birthday. She had been riding for 3 years and it was time. We looked at a couple of prospects, but nothing quite "felt right". I was doing an internet search, and came across a grey Nokota pony cross named "Bucky" out of Cazabu Farms in Cazanovia, NY. This triggered a memory of a Horse Illustrated article I had read some time back on the Nokota horse breed. I remember being very intrigued by what I had read, but assumed they were far too rare to be found in our area. The search for the article began, and in re-reading it, realized that we were very much interested in seeing this little Nokota pony. Arrangements for a four hour road trip with our trainer were made within a couple of weeks, and the rest is history. Needless to say, it was love at first sight (and ride); we bought him on the spot.
We decided on a name change, both to honor his heritage, and to ensure he wouldn't live up to his former name. We decided on Miakoda (Power of the Moon in the Lakota language), or Miko for short. To say that this pony has completely woven his way into our hearts (and all who know him) is an understatement.
Miko and Haley are the absolute best of buddies; it really goes beyond just a kid and her pony. He greets her with his signature whinny; often accompanied with one of those "Nokota hugs" that those of us lucky enough to be around Nokotas are familiar with. He seems to know when she's aboard, and takes extra good care of her. He is even more careful when a younger, smaller, or less experienced person takes a turn on his back.
Their first show season together was nothing short of amazing. They earned numerous ribbons and trophies in the local show circuit. They qualified for PA 4H States in Showmanship (even though Miko tried to grab the clipboard out of the judge's hands). Their crowning achievement was the silver medal for their division at the Dressage 4 Kids youth festival in Saugerties, NY. Haley rode Miko at the walk trot and canter in the Nokota breed demonstration at the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg (with Frank Kuntz and the rest of the entourage proudly looking on). In March, she also demonstrated Miko at the walk trot and canter in the PA Pet Expo in Reading. They are members of the Peaceful Valley Junior Drill Team, and recently had their debut performance at an Open House and Cancer Benefit held in early June.
Last October, I decided to have Miko inspected at a North American Sport Pony inspection. Our trainer, Karen, and I knew that Miko possessed superior conformation, gaits and temperament. We were curious, however, to see how he measured up to some of his larger and more prestigious counterparts. Miko was judged at the walk and trot triangle, at liberty at the walk, trot and canter, and through the jump chute. Miko received an average score of 7.5, with 8.0's in Breed, Type and Conformation and in Carriage and Elasticity. The German judges were especially impressed with the bone structure of his legs. They said he had the best legs out of the whole group, mainly due to the ratio of canon bone to upper leg. (The canon bone should be 1/2 to 1/3 the length of the upper leg). He received the second highest score for that inspection, outscoring the host farm's young stock and stallion of European bloodlines. I guess that sufficiently answered our question ...
Following the inspection, we made a stop in Philadelphia, where Miko was the honorary equine and lead a breast cancer benefit "Horse Trot and Doggie Walk Parade". He was ridden on a suburban street, past tennis courts, skateboarders, and parade attendees walking their dogs. He performed in front of a crowd of curious and adoring onlookers, as well as news crews. It was amazing, but after all he had been through, nothing seemed to phase him. I truly believe, at least with Miko and from everything I've read about Nokotas in general: once you have earned their trust, they will be your friend for life and give you everything they've got.
My daughter Haley and I look forward to a lifetime with our wonderful Nokota, who has become a beloved member of our family. We look forward to Dressage at Devon this year, among other Nokota (and non Nokota) related events. But most of all we look forward to the "friendship for life" that this little Nokota, who continuously warms our hearts, offers us, without any questions asked.
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