GCHS 2026

Helen Grace has waited so long to have her GCHS experience! Last year was thwarted by a concussion, so we hoped this year would be glorious. And we weren't disappointed!

Susan rode Ham in Juniors (3'6") Monday and Tuesday morning, qualifying to ride in the finals in the big ring on Friday night. HG rode Ham in Children's (3') Tuesday afternoon (2nd and 4th), which we were happy with! They rode again Wednesday morning. He was relaxed and energetic first thing in the morning (and the temps were gloriously cool), and they rode BEAUTIFULLY. They got a 77 in one round! They got 1st place in first class, 1st place in second class, 4th place in classic, but missed reserve champion by .5 point. But we'll take two BLUE RIBBONS any day! 

Susan rode him in the Juniors finals on Friday night and won 6th place! We felt like he rode perfectly- we were bursting with pride. HG got to walk out with them for the award ceremony, and Cressey experienced her first funnel cake. Success all the way around.

Saturday night, all of the princesses were presented before the grand prix, so we loved cheering her on.

Every minute that she wasn't riding, HG was working the show as a princess, but she had a great week. She met so many people and had fun being on the inside of the show. 

Some professional pics first...

Let's get this party started!

Her 'night shift' outfit

Wednesday am...we almost saw the sun rise!

When you know you killed it!

WINNER WINNER!

Day shift outfit

Friday night family edition to cheer on Susan and Ham

Ham and Susan in the big ring! Notice HG's name on the screen

Good job, Ham!!!!

Princess presentation on Saturday night

HG is 17!

 

May 25, 2026

• She's really come into her own this year. Happy riding Ham (looking pretty competitive at 3'!) and cheering and staying plugged in at school. This spring, she's been elected for the fourth year in a row for her class Spirit Week Coordinator. She's also recently been selected as one of 20 peer mentors and then chosen as the VP- Peer Mentor Coordinator. She is still a retreat leader and ambassador and Co-Pres of the Make-A-Wish Club. So proud of her for being involved!
• She's (begrudgingly) 5'5".
• She's worked hard all spring on her ACT and has done so well.
• She's done real well with driving.
• She's had an official college visit to Ole Miss, the only place she intends to apply.
• She and Chace has been dating for 9 months and are the cutest pair.
• She loves going to mass.
• She's gotten big into vinyl records and loves playing them.
• Like her mama, she loves to have something to look forward to, a fun trip or event. Can plan a party in her sleep. Our house is often filled with teenagers in the pool or at the firepit or just gathering around the island, and WE LOVE IT.
• She served as a Germantown Horse Show Princess and had a great time both showing and working. And she slept til 11 a.m. Sunday morning after a looooong last shift! It was fun seeing the pride she had at being a part of the horse world and how excited she was to tell us about different events she got to see.

Rylee and HG shared a birthday dinner early in May at Hog & Hominy

They call came back over to swim afterward

On the night before her actual birthday, she and Chace come home to find her birthday sign in the yard but her name was misspelled- Helan. We laughed and laughed. And the company fixed it quickly.

Fixed!

She was very low key this year. No big fuss, no singing happy birthday, etc. 

She and Chace organized a big soda taste-off after pizza and Granddaddy's ice cream. I had gone earlier in the day with Diet Coke varieties, and then they went against each other on Dr. Pepper and other options. The competition got tough!

While we were all together, her post about her FSO role came out!