Kathie Sciullo
NCR Reporter
Sylvie Bruno, 6, loves riding her little pony Lucy and competing in racing events.
She began learning to ride competitively about two years ago.
“I like when I ride my horse,” Bruno said.
She recently participated in an open house and riding competition at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches in Live Oak Feb. 24.
The Callahan Elementary School kindergarten student competed with children ages 6 and younger in pole, barrel, Texas and cloverleaf-styled racing. Brother Holden, who turns 2 in April, is also learning to ride.
Mom Alexis Bruno, 34, utilizes a lead line to maneuver the pony for her son. Alexis Bruno began barrel racing when she was 11 years old, competing in Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. She has also participated in annual riding competitions at the youth ranches since she was a teen.
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper was grand marshal for the fundraising event that supports the girls and boys who reside at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
“I am a former chair of the board of directors for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, so I know first-hand what they do,” he emailed. “The open house and horse show was outstanding and it showcased the Boys Ranch and what they do for kids throughout our state, as well as allowing those who have tremendous horse skills to compete in a variety of activities.”
The organization opened in 1957 for boys and expanded services to girls in 1972.
“The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches mainly rely on donations to operate their ranch and camps around the state, like Camp Sorensen in Hilliard,” Leeper emailed. “They are a non-profit organization that was created in 1957 by sheriffs who wanted to help kids and families in need in order to develop them into productive citizens. Over 65 years later, the Youth Ranches is a statewide network of residential campuses and summer camps offering nationally recognized services to at-risk youth.”
Sylvie has found success teaming with Lucy in the youth categories for the Northeast Florida Barrel Racing Association.
“She’s won like three buckles from them, because she does it every year with them,” Alexis Bruno said. “She loves it. … She likes to ride and compete. She likes to really ride. She’s OK winning and losing. And she likes to save her money, too. She won’t spend none of her money.”
Her favorite competition is the arena race.
“So you run down and there’s one barrel, and you turn it and you run,” Sylvie Bruno said.
In addition to caring for her pony, she often sings to Lucy and gives her pep talks when they practice or compete, telling her, “You can do it, Lucy.”