Big Dreams and a Big Heart: Zone 2’s Emma Yanek

Emma Yanek, 13, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, trains across disciplines and dreams of becoming a Grand Prix rider, looking up to athletes like Beezie Madden and Boyd Martin. As she pursues her dreams, Yanek has a special partner, who almost never was.

Yanek first came across the story of a pony named Dempsey on Facebook, where he was featured as a rescue horse training for a unique competition, the Appalachian Trainer Face Off. The competition, presented by Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, showcases adoptable horses and good trainers in a competition in Winfield, West Virginia, each year in August.

“I saw this horse on Facebook and started following his story,” said Yanek of Dempsey. “I was so in love with this pony. I decided to contact the barn owner. I went out to the barn and fell in love.”

Dempsey, a six-year-old (possibly seven-year-old) 14.1-hand pinto aptly named Paint Me Perfect, is lucky to be alive let alone thriving with Yanek. The Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue saved Dempsey from a farm in Ohio, where he was living in a gruesome environment, tied on a short rope to a tree with another horse. The horses had no access to food, water or shelter, and there were remains of other horses that had passed away.

After getting the proper veterinary attention and nourishment, Dempsey became part of the Appalachian Trainer Face Off with Rebecca Francis, as a way to find a new home. The Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue and Francis shared his story of rescue and preparing for the event on social media as part of the Appalachian Trainer Face Off, and that is where Yanek found him.

Since adopting Dempsey, Yanek started showing him in the Hunters at local shows and then decided the Jumpers were a better fit.

“I’m now showing Dempsey in the 2’3”- 2’6” Jumpers and Beginner Novice Eventing,” she said. “I’m planning on showing him first level for dressage by the end of the year.”

Yanek, started riding just five years ago with Regina Newman at Clearview Stables. Today, she trains with Dressage coach Emily Hadden-Morris of Russell’s Landing Farm, and she trains with Eventing and Jumper coach Marcie Turjan at Sydmor Stables. She is working hard to reach her goals in all these disciplines.

“I have many goals as a rider. I want to receive a Champion on the A-Rated Circuit. I plan [to compete at] Pony Finals 2020 in Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park. When I’m older, I want to compete at [the] Grand Prix level,” she said. “I have many goals this year including, but not limited to, competing at World Equestrian Center, Brave Horse Ohio, Chagrin Valley Farms, and other rated shows.”

Photos courtesy of Emma Yanek.