H&R: Have you ever considered cloning Harley?
Kristina: I've thought about cloning, and for now I'm against it. I've gone to a few clinics to get more knowledge about it though. From my point of view, Harley's a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and there shouldn't be another like him. But I also understand that when people have loved an animal, they want that animal forever. We have Harley's younger brother coming up as well, and he looks just like him. So I'm hoping that will fill the void someday left by Harley. No matter what happens, for me there will never be another Harley.
H&R: Does Harley have any buddies at the barn?
Kristina: Actually, he gets along well with my hunt-seat horse. Other than that, he's never had a connection with another horse, up until Lucy (Vital Signs Are Good) stepped into the barn. Every time he sees her, his ears go up, and he's in a happy mood.
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- Kristina
H&R: What are your plans for Harley in the future?
Kristina: I'd like my sister, Ali, to finish up her youth year, and for Jason to keep doing what he's doing! Harley still loves to compete. I've never seen him as happy as he was in the pen with Jason this year. It will eventually be time for him to start slowing down, but he's still winning and doing great at what he does, and I can't pull him away from something he loves.
H&R: What is your favorite memory with Harley?
Kristina: Winning the Youth World Show for the first time in 2004. I can see it in my mind like it happened just yesterday. It was the best time of my life. I kept wearing that buckle up until this year, because it was such good luck for me. I tried switching to the buckle I won in 2006 and it never worked. Whenever I would throw on that 2004 buckle, I won with Harley. It gave me good luck.
Another favorite memory would have to be when I got the phone call from my dad after he'd flown down to Texas to get Harley vetted. Dad called me and told me that everything was clean. I was eating pizza at Little Caesars, and I started screaming and jumping up and down and crying. Everyone in the restaurant was looking at me like I was crazy.
H&R: So Harley was your dream horse before you had him?
Kristina: Yes! I appreciate Harley every day. Even now, I have to pinch myself to know that I really have him.
See the February 2010 issue of Horse & Rider to read "We'd Love to Own: Harley D Zip." To order a copy of this issue, call 877-717-8928 .
