Canadian native Veronica Deans is an NRHA Non Pro reiner and ranch owner in northern Texas. She’s been riding since age four, reining since the mid-90s, and claiming NRHA wins since 2010. And for Veronica, SUCCEED is the support that allows her show horses to be their best.
All-Around Horses to Reining
Veronica was born in the Province of Québec, Canada, and started showing horses at 4 years old. It didn’t matter whether her classes in the show ring were english, western pleasure, horsemanship, trail, or equitation—she loved everything about horses. Veronica competed with her all-around horses throughout her entire youth.
As she transitioned into adulthood, Veronica continued riding, but narrowed her discipline focus to reining. She moved to the US in 1997 and progressed further as an accomplished, competitive reiner.
After a few years in the states, Veronica settled in Texas and built Hidden Springs Ranch in 2005. The Gainesville, Texas, property is Veronica’s family home with her two daughters. The sprawling ranch has more than 70 horses and five trainers specializing in reining, ranch riding and western pleasure.
Veronica’s Reining Accomplishments
Even amidst a busy ranch schedule, Veronica finds time to show her reining horses around the states and Canada. She frequently travels to NRHA-licensed shows in Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Nevada and Colorado.
“I’ve been around horses for so long, it’s a part of me,” Veronica says. “I like building relationships with horses and the trust that is fostered. Sometimes, you get that really good one and everything clicks. You form a special team.”
For Veronica, that special pairing came in 2011 when she won the prestigious NRHA Non Pro Futurity in Oklahoma City. Veronica was aboard her reining partner at the time, Spooks N Sparks. The duo’s winning score earned them the top spot for both Level 3 and Level 4.
In addition to winning the 2011 NRHA Non Pro Futurity, Veronica earned top place finishes the prior year. She was the 2010 Non Pro Futurity winner in the Level 3 and completed the Level 4 Non Pro in third place.
Currently, Veronica has a young, promising mare she purchased for the ranch, Fine Baby Shine (aka “Sissy”). Over the next few years, Veronica hopes to develop Sissy for winning an elite reining event.
Discovering SUCCEED for Healthier Horses
Keeping her performance horses in top condition is important to Veronica. She feeds a high quality alfalfa and Purina feed products. Veronica is a strong believer in supporting the overall digestive health of her horses, too.
“I’m a supplement junkie. You are what you eat, and the same goes for the horses,” Veronica says. “Digestive issues are a huge problem with horses that you compete with because of the traveling.”
Veronica didn’t like the idea of resorting to pharmaceuticals on a long-term basis for managing her horses’ digestive health. And in her quest to find a supplement that would support gi tract health, SUCCEED representative Courtney Brockmuller introduced her to the product.
Once Veronica gave SUCCEED a try on a mare that regularly struggled with digestive health, especially during competition season, she got the results she wanted.
“I started SUCCEED and she was good. She stayed comfortable and kept up a good appetite,” Veronica says.
SUCCEED for the Youngest Ranch Horse
SUCCEED has not only helped Veronica’s show horses, but newborn foals at her ranch. This spring, Veronica had a foal struggling with stool consistency from contracting salmonella right after birth.
After the foal received the appropriate veterinary care and recovered, Veronica added SUCCEED to his diet to maintain his digestive health moving forward.
“He caught up very quickly, and I think a big part of that was SUCCEED,” Veronica says. “With SUCCEED, his system was normal and he started looking really good.”
Why Veronica Deans Recommends SUCCEED
For Veronica, it’s simple. SUCCEED just works.
“I’d recommend SUCCEED for the overall well-being of the horse. They maintain their health when on SUCCEED. They start showing good conditioning, they’re healthy looking, and they keep their weight on. You’ll have a happy, healthy horse.”
