Brentwood Cowgirl Wins Marsh Creek Gymkhana

Story and Photos by Art Ray

This fourteen year-old cowgirl handled her business Saturdays in every Gymkhana class she entered at Brentwood’s Marsh Creek Stable. Seven out of eight first place awards is all in a days work for Holly Hopkins.

Putting in the work since she was nine years old, and staying in the saddle five days a week is really paying off for this Brentwood cowgirl.  The only problem that she is going to have is finding a place for all of her ribbons and trophy’s.  Saturday she brought home seven first place blue ribbons and one second.

The eight events that Holly and the other contestants were competing in were timed events that measured not only how fast a rider and horse can negotiate an obstacle course but how accurately they can complete the courses with out any faults. The Gymkhana events ranged from Cloverleaf barrel racing to Ninja pole racing

Showing up in the winner’s circle is becoming a well-deserved habit for Holly Hopkins.  Recently, Holly, along with her team mates Chris Maes, and Mitchell Jolivette from Marsh Creek Stables won 1st place in the Junior Team Cow Penning event at the recent 2013 Reno Rodeo.

At nine years old Holly started her riding instructions under the watchful eye of Marsh Creek Stables riding instructor Maureen McGlathery.

Holly’s current instructor and coach, Kristy Santos the owner of KMS Custom Performance Horses says “Holly is disciplined and takes directions very well. She has a great ability to Multi-Task.  Holly is always aware of what she needs to do to support her team and horse”

When not training at Marsh Creek Stables with Kristy Santos you can find Holly in La Grange California taking advance cow horse workshops with well-known Cow Horse trainer Don Clark.

Holly is an A student that is about to start her freshman high school career at Brentwood’s Heritage High school.  Holly’s goal is to follow in Kristy Santos footsteps and pursue a career that includes horses.

After graduation from Heritage High Holly’s focus is to attend the well-known animal science school, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She wants to make horses her career.

You can cheer Holly and her teammates on at 6:00pm every other week at the Marsh Creek Stables cow-sorting event.

Check the Marsh Creek Stables Website for more information on times and dates.

14 Yr old Holly Hopkins onboard her 8 yr old paint horse Slick spins around a Cloverleaf barrel at Saturdays Patriotic theme Gymkhana.

14 year old Holly Hopkins receives a first place blue ribbon from Marsh Creek Stables owner Marvin Remmich at Saturdays Gymkhana

Story and photos provided by Art Ray