Most of us relish the idea of a guardian angel looking out for us in our time of need, but rarely does that dream become a reality. For 14-year-old Georganna Parker, from Greer, S.C., her guardian angel came in the form of Las Vegas-based trainer Judy Nielson.

Georganna was over the moon when she received an invitation to apply for the USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. She filled out the application and was accepted, but unfortunately her family did not have the financial means to ship Georganna’s horse from South Carolina to Las Vegas, nor could they afford to lease a local horse for her to compete on.

“It was just not a doable thing for our family. Georganna understood, although to say she was heartbroken would be an understatement,” said Georganna’s mom, Callie Dodson, a trainer who owns a boarding and lesson program. “For Georganna, riding has become much, much more than just a sport. She lives, breathes, and dreams of horses.” 

“It was disappointing when I found out we couldn’t go, but I understood the financial side of it,” Georganna said.

Georganna expressed her sadness about not being able to attend the National Championships to an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) coach at a local competition, who responded by saying she used to live in Las Vegas and might have some contacts there who could help.

Callie had also posted a request for leads on Facebook, but the responses she’d gotten were for expensive short-term show leases. “I do not have $20,000 to pay for a horse for two classes,” she said.

The family was hoping for a miracle ... and they found one in the form of Judy Nielson, owner of Aspen Hill show barn in Las Vegas.

Following the referral, Callie called Judy, who immediately thought of her personal horse, a seven-year-old, 18 hh gelding named Bobby Shazam. However, when Judy heard that Georganna was competing in the 14 and Under Equitation class, “My immediate reaction was that it's going to be too much horse if she's a younger teenager,” she said.

Callie assured her that Georganna was currently riding an 18 hh former Grand Prix horse back in South Carolina, so Judy suggested she send a video of her riding to assess if it could be a good fit.

“I watched Georganna’s videos and thought, ‘Oh, this kid can ride. This is going to be fun,’” Judy explained. “I think most of us like the idea of helping each other. I had no concerns about lending my horse to her because I could see from the videos what level Georganna rides—she's quite accomplished. Plus, since her mom is a horse trainer, she understands how the business works and about being respectful of somebody else's horse."

When Judy offered them the use of Bobby Shazam, Callie asked how much it would cost, and Judy told her: “From one trainer to another, I'm not going to charge you anything.” She said that if they could cover his expenses such as stall, groom’s fee, etc., she would not even charge to ship the horse there, and she would show him on Monday and Tuesday to get him prepped before they arrived.

“To say I was speechless would not do it justice. Tears just flowed from my face. No one has ever offered such a huge gift, to me or my child. It is proof that we do have a community of good people. And Judy Nielson has to be one of the best,” Callie said after the call.

“I was really excited because it's something I wanted to go do. It was almost relieving that we had figured out something for me to be able to go,” said Georganna, who is used to competing on different horses at IEA competitions.

“Bobby Shazam was pretty easy to get along with. He was super fun to ride and very nifty,” she continued. “Judy gave me a lesson the day before my class to help me figure him out a little bit more, then she was there helping me every time I schooled him. Even before I got on, Judy rode him, so I was able to watch her and see what she did. I was really surprised that she took me in as one of her own, it almost felt like I was part of her barn for the week.”

Judy took Georganna under her wing the whole week, even inviting her to hack out in the mornings and supported her from the ringside at showtime, and watched her finish fifth in the 12-14 Age group Equitation.

“Judy cheered and clapped for Georganna as loud as her father and I did,” Callie marveled. “She was a perfect stranger, someone with nothing to gain but a worthwhile endeavor to offer what she had—her horse, her time and her knowledge. It doesn't get much better than that.” 

From her perspective, Judy believes the joy of this sport is being able to help each other out and lift each other up. 

“I can relate to Callie because I'm a trainer and I know how hard it is. When you live across the country and you want to do the National Championships, hauling a horse is so expensive,” she said. “Georganna rides great, she's ambitious, and she's a hard worker. Plus, they are the most lovely, friendly, delightful people I've ever met, so it was immediately easy and fun. I have a lovely group of people at my barn who are very welcoming, so it just clicked right from the beginning.”

Judy and Georganna have vowed to keep in touch, with the latter hoping to travel out to Las Vegas to ride and show with her again.

“The sky's the limit for that kid because she’s got the backing of really supportive, wonderful parents who are so positive,” Judy said of Georganna’s future as an equestrian. “With a mom who is a fantastic trainer and her own natural ability, she can take it anywhere she wants to go.”