The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) congratulates Temecula Toy Boy, owned by Tara Carlson of Temecula, CA, for being named first runner up for a prestigious award. Each year, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) recognizes outstanding American Quarter Horses with the MD Barns Silver Spur Award. The award honors those Quarter Horses who have made a significant impact on the lives of others or who have been cast into the public spotlight through outstanding accomplishments.

Temecula Toy Boy has an unusual story. When the gelding was two, he severely injured his right eye in an accident while playing in a pasture. Unfortunately, his eye had to be removed. Then a few years later, Toy suffered a bout with colic and had to have another surgery to save his life.

In 2005, when Toy was eleven, the Carlson family bought the horse for their 13-year-old daughter, Tara, to show in reining events. The teen says she immediately fell in love with Toy. “Some people didn’t like him because he didn’t have an eye, and I didn’t really care because he trusted me, and I trusted him,” said Tara.

Tara, now 15, suffers from kidney failure, high blood pressure and scoliosis. Her mother, Deb, says doctors thought the teen would have to undergo a kidney transplant last year, but somehow she stabilized. She says the year before they bought Toy, Tara was life-flighted to the hospital after her heart stopped.

But everything seemed to change once Toy came into their lives. “In the year since we have had Toy, we haven’t even been in the hospital. It’s a huge difference. She doesn’t wear a brace anymore for her back. Her blood pressure isn’t great, but it’s a lot better than it was. I give all the credit to the horse,” says Tara’s mother. Tara agrees. “After I got him, I started feeling a lot better and started taking a lot less medicine than I was taking.”

That incredible bond between Tara and Toy has led to many winnings in the show ring, including first place in the NRHA Youth 13 & Under division at the 2006 Western U.S. Affiliate Finals in Las Vegas, NV. Tara’s mother says, “She works hard, she goes down and trains every single day, and Toy works hard.” Tara sums up her bond with Toy by saying, “I really, really, really love him! He’s just really cool.”

The winner of the 2006 MD Barns Silver Spur Award was Smokin’ On A Star, owned by Hugh Frank Green of Pavo, GA. The award was presented on March 4, during the AQHA Convention.


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