EC Blog – Paying it Forward
Jessica McConnell and Zipped In Excellence, aka “Flo.” Photos by Nicole McConnell.
Intro by Delores Kuhlwein
Blog by Melissa McConnell
“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.”—Isadora James.
The bond of sisters is unarguably strong – so much so, many sisters feel a part of them is missing when the other sister is away.
Take the case of sisters Nicole McConnell and Jessica McConnell. Older sister Nicole, who trained with Garth, Sonnesa, and Austin Gooding at Bauer and Gooding Show Horses in Michigan, sold her Quarter Horse at Congress in 2024 as she prepared to head to law school. Ever since then, Nicole has been deeply missing competing and showing. Instead of letting it engulf her, she took action in the best kind of way.
What followed is a story of sisterly love and a gift from the heart. Read on for the words of their mom, Melissa McConnell:
“I wanted to share these photos of Nicole’s sister, Jessica, as they are very special. Nicole sold her Quarter Horse last year at Congress as she is heading to law school. Ever since then Nicole has been missing competing and showing as it’s always been her passion.
Her younger sister Jessica has been riding on and off for the last few years, as her Paint horse has had some health issues and was not able to show.
Once Nicole sold her horse, her mission became helping her younger sister fulfill her dreams of showing her horse. After months of rehabilitating and conditioning her sister’s horse, Nicole was able to see Jessica and her horse, Flo, compete in their first official Paint Horse show in Michigan.
Nicole also took time to help Jessica get some beautiful pictures so she could make her an ad.
Nicole took over 900 pictures of her sister and her horse just to make sure she got the perfect shot. I am sharing just of few of these photos and their story because I am so proud to see my daughters work together to make their dreams come true.
Pictured is Jessica McConnell, 17, and her paint mare, Zipped In Excellence, that Nicole McConnell, her 19-year-old sister, took of her.
Hope you are able to share as these girls are a beautiful reminder of how horses can help build unbreakable bonds! Dreams do come true!”
-Melissa McConnell
Thank you to the McConnell family for sharing this beautiful story! We are proud to post it on our website and social media.
