WORLD TITLE: Eleven-year-old Ashley Diamond Pollack, who literally grew up on horseback, recently won the equivalent of an Olympic gold medal—the Tennessee Walking Horse World Title in the 11-and-under category in competition in Tennessee. Ashley won top honors on the back of Mr. Chili Pepper.
Mr. Chili and Ashley have been competing as a unit ever since Ashley was 4. But she was on a horse long before that—at 3 months, before she could even sit up by herself, says her mother, Patti Pollack. The Pollacks, you see, breed and raise Tennessee walking horses at their stable in Morgan Hill.
The Pollacks include Wanda and Robert, Ashley's grandparents, and her aunt, Sherri Pollack, all of Saratoga. Ashley has won many championship ribbons through the years, so many her mother can't even count them. This year alone she won 24 blue ribbons. But since the world title is the top prize given, Patti is understandably proud.
Ashley's training came from her mother, who herself won 20 world championships when she was competing, and the Pollack horse trainer, Jimmy Norris. The sixth-grader at St. Andrews School won her first ribbon at age 4 in a lead line class contest, wherein someone leads the horse while the child rides it.
By age 6 she was showing horses. Ashley and Mr. Chili virtually grew up together: he's 9 now and she was the one who named him. "You have to have a great animal to show in the under-11 class," says Patti. "Tennessee walking horses are known for their wonderful disposition—very gentle and versatile."
The Pollacks ride on the beach at Moss Landing. Tennessee walkers are adept at jumping, bell racing, trail riding and field trials and as show horses. Ashley won the title riding an English saddle, which means two hands are used to control the horse and the attire is different from that worn by Western-saddle riders.
Tennessee walkers have a smooth, gliding gait. Brother Tyler Pollack, 8, is getting interested in competing again. He won the reserve world title in lead line class as a toddler, 3 and 4 years old.
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL: Blythe Favon of Saratoga plays the Sour Kangaroo in the Peninsula Youth Theatre production of Seussical the Musical, playing at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 1321. The musical is written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony award-winning team for Ragtime.
The show is based on the stories of the man who transformed children's primers. For tickets the contact is 650.903.6000 or www.pytnet.org.
NEW BAR TRUSTEE: Lawyer Edward McDonald was elected trustee for the Los Gatos, Campbell and Saratoga district by the Santa Clara Bar Association in recent elections by that body.
HOLIDAYS NEAR & HERE: Holiday merchandise is on hand at the Butter Paddle and includes Woof 'n Poof Santas, nutcrackers, ornaments and house gifts. Decorated in seasonal splendor, the shop also offers harvest and Thanksgiving-themed items—gourmet foods, tools and cookbooks.
New this year are the Christmas music boxes with moving parts, new baby items and a new line of throws, pillows and candles. Trays and serving dishes from glass designer Tamara Childs are proving popular. Susan Brandenburg is head buyer; Marcia Tammel, assistant. Our informant is Susie Schecter. The all-volunteer shop operates as a benefit for EMQ children and families.
DORM DEPOT: Barry Shimelfarb started a portable furniture line for college students called Dorm Depot, sold strictly online via website http://www.dormdepot.com. A TV show for teens about room makeovers, called Knock First, featured Dorm Depot sofas on its set this fall.
DD products are lightweight, can navigate narrow hallways and stairs, and there's space underneath the cushions for storage. The furniture is described as hip and edgy. (I don't know about describing furniture as edgy. I keep bumping into those edges.)
Dorm Depot products appeal to tattoo parlors in Las Vegas, as well as coffeehouses across the country. Prices start under $200.
PRAYER BREAKFAST: The Valley YMCA Community Prayer Breakfast will be Nov. 19 at 7 a.m. at the Fairmont Hotel. Keynote speaker Melba Beals, a Congressional Gold Medal winner, will give her account of the 50th anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education.
Tickets are sold at 408.351.6412 or www.scvymca.org. Beals is a member of the Little Rock Nine.
ONLY THE BEST: Florence Lambert, Joyce Goodrow, Cyra Richardson and other Discovery Shop volunteers present Only The Best sale of designer clothing and accessories Nov. 13 and 14 at the shop at 39 E. Main St., Los Gatos. The Discovery Shop is a benefit for the American Cancer Society.
Hours are 10 a.m.6 p.m. Nov. 13 and 10 a.m.4 p.m. on Nov. 14. Shop manager is Theresa Garcia Radzinsky.
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By Mary Ann Cook