BY NOAH PURCELL
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Molly Arnold rides through life the same way she rides her horse cooly with an air of confidence bred by experience and knowledge far beyond her years.
She is 13 and sits on the cusp of her first professional rodeo.
She is 13 and she has survived a debilitating disease.
She is 13 and she will sometimes provide unsolicited algebra tutoring to her older sister.
Molly smiles when she talks and her eyes glint as she tells of her accomplishments; yet she never comes across as conceited.
Everything that Molly accomplishes is a gift to her family, who when she was four learned she probably would not survive a case of spinal meningitis. The disease robbed her of her hearing, but not her spirit.
‘We decided (when Molly got sick) that it was not going to be the focal point of her life,? said Kathy Arnold, Molly’s mother.
The cochlear implant which allows Molly to hear is a subtext in her life story. Paramount is her will to succeed, the same drive which preserved her life as a four-year-old child has propelled her to greatness on the back of her horse, Dejia.
‘She was an interesting individual. She had a little more spark in her than just a regular pleasure rider,? said Cathy McGeen, Dejia’s owner.
Molly and Dejia seem to be meant for one another.
The horse Molly originally rode had died, leaving her without a mount. At the same time, McGeen owned six horses with only her husband Dan and their nine-year-old son Colin to ride them.
‘They had one horse and two riders and I had a whole barn full,? said McGeen.
McGeen worked with Molly to help her become a better rider; teaching her not only the technical aspects of riding a horse, but also how to connect with her mount.
‘In the beginning, I started to get to know her horses and figure out which one was the best one for me to ride. Dejia and I were the best for each other and I’ve been riding her for two years now,? said Molly. ‘She aims to please her rider and she knows how to do what you ask her to do. You just have to push the right buttons… I’m still working on that.?
Dejia and Molly have made quite a team in the Oakland County 4-H competitions together. Molly won the Versatile Horse Award twice, rewarding her all-around skills. This past year, she took home the Grand Champion Gymkhana award given out at the end of Oakland County 4-H week. The Gymkhana and the Versatile Horse Awards are nice, but what truly shines for Molly and her family is the Sportsmanship award she took home this year.
?(The sportsmanship award) has been given out for twenty years. Everybody helps everybody in 4-H, so for them to recognize someone above others is such a nice compliment,? said Kathy. ?(Molly does) little things, like if someone is cleaning out their stall and she has nothing to do, she’ll pick up a rake and help.?
At this year’s 4-H week, Molly’s father John snapped a photo of her during the barrel racing event. After the family got home Molly was so proud of the picture she sent it to family acquaintance Dennis DaSilva, an active participant in the 4-H and 20 year veteran of professional rodeos.
‘I always think while I’m riding with Dejia about what I’m doing. I don’t even notice where I am in the arena,? said Molly. ‘I asked (DaSilva) to ‘find one thing wrong? in the picture, sort of challenging him to. He told me all of the proper things I was doing.?
?(The picture) was an excellent shot. You can see in her horse that she has complete control,? said DaSilva.
So impressed was DaSilva with Molly’s riding technique that he told her she had phenomenal potential to succeed as a professional and took on the role of mentor.
‘She has respect for the sport and the animal. She’s her own driving force,? said DaSilva. ‘Molly has always been one of the first to say ‘get me on a horse? when I offered to teach people at 4-H.?
Now, Molly is striking out into the world of professional rodeo’s.
‘It’s very exciting and it is very stressful,? said Kathy.
Last week, Molly’s new shiny frilly shirt arrived in the mail. On Feb. 4, she will compete in her first professional rodeo in Columbus Ohio. After a couple more trial runs Molly will get a chance to compete at the Longhorn Rodeo at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
‘The arena’s a whole different mindset for the horse and the rider,? said DaSilva. ‘Molly is ready to step up and I’m looking forward to seeing her take the next step.?
Due to a special arrangement with the owner of the Longhorn Rodeo, Bruce Lehrke, Molly will be making a special demonstration run on Feb. 20. Usually, riders are not sure of what day they will compete on until an hour or two before they enter the ring.
According to DaSilva, Lehrke wanted to make sure Molly’s friends and family would be able to purchase tickets in advance, so he is allowing her to make a special demonstration barrel racing run in addition to her money run which will come on either Feb. 18 or 19.
To purchase tickets to see Molly compete, call the Palace of Auburn Hills at 248-377-8638.