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Seventeen-year-old Abbi Jo Faul of Abbeville will be attending the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Pony Finals this month. Partnered with her horse, La Belle Maria, she will compete against other Pony Finals qualifiers in the nation.
The competition is set to take place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.
Faul is a student at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, LA and she, along with ‘Maria’ will be representing the Academy of the Sacred Heart Equestrian Center during the competition.
The pair will be broadcasted live on the USEF Network on August 8 and 9. The link for the broadcast is https://www.usef.org/tune-in.
She answered questions about her love of equestrain riding.

How would you describe what you do?
Riding is what I love to do. I have been able to form many partnerships with many horses, especially my own horse, Maria. Riding is a very difficult sport, being that you have an animal with a mind of its own underneath you, but it is also very rewarding. It consists of very early mornings and long hours at the barn.

Tell us about La Belle Maria. Is she your personal horse? Did you train her?

Maria is my own horse (her show name is La Belle Maria, and I just call her Maria for short).
I bought her in August of 2016, so it will be three years that I have had the pleasure of working with this horse this coming August. When I got Maria, she was what we call a “green” horse, which means she was inexperienced on a lot of things.
My trainer, Ms. Aubrey Fait, and I have worked extremely hard to get Maria to where she is today. Maria has grown so much from the time I bought her, and she has definitely taught me a lot too. I don’t know what kind of rider I would be without my horse! I owe much of my success to Maria, as well as my trainer.
Maria and I will be competing at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals this August 8 and 9 located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, which is one of our greatest accomplishments so far (this is because a rider must qualify to compete at Pony Finals by winning a championship or reserve championship at an “A” or “AA” rated show. Maria and I qualified by winning a championship at Texas Winter Frost Fire, an “A” show that was held in Katy, Texas. We have been preparing for Pony Finals ever since!). The show will be livestreamed on the USEF Network for anyone who wishes to watch! The link to the network is https://www.usef.org/tune-in.

When did you know that you were passionate about riding and what is it that makes you so passionate about it?
I fell in love with horses when I was very little, being that my father (Ricky Faul) is a retired jockey. I was always around the racetrack watching my dad ride, but my mom was a little reluctant to allow me to take riding lessons because she had seen my dad take many falls from horses throughout his career.
I finally convinced her to let me take riding lessons and enroll in summer riding camps, and from there, I knew I loved to ride. I was around 8 years old when I began riding. I was able to take my riding onto a more serious competitive level when I got Maria; we started her at local schooling shows, and we have worked up to the higher level “A” shows, as well as the United States Equestrian Federation’s Pony Finals that we will compete in this August. My first national show was the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals this past April (IEA is completely different from my showing with Maria; in IEA, you draw a random horse’s name from a hat, and you are expected to ride a horse that you have never ridden before), and I placed seventh in the Junior Novice Flat Division at IEA National Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

How supportive was your family?
Coming from a family that was already immersed in the horse world, they were very encouraging. I would not have been able to accomplish what I have without my parents, who have generously supported me and continue to support me throughout my riding. My mom and dad are at every show, always encouraging and smiling even throughout my toughest rides.

Are you nervous about representing the Academy of the Sacred Heart Equestrian Center?
I am a little nervous to represent Sacred Heart, but I am very honored too, as well! My friend, Sarah Roth, will also be competing and representing Sacred Heart at Pony Finals with me, so I think that definitely eases my nerves, as Sarah is always very encouraging and supportive toward me! I am very grateful to share this experience with her and her horse, Emmett. Sacred Heart Equestrian Center is a unique part of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, which is the school I attend, so I am hoping that Maria and I can do our best for our school, our trainer, and ourselves.

What does a typical week look like for you?
I spend most of my time at the barn, riding six days a week both in the summertime and during school. At the Academy, I take horseback for my physical education, so my riding time is built into my schedule; this makes it easy for me to grow as a rider as well as a student. I have been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA, which I am proud to say being that the Academy has a rigorous curriculum and expects the very best of its students. I am very blessed to attend the Academy of the Sacred Heart and participate in its riding program. It might seem a bit crazy that my entire week is centered on my riding, but it is truly what I love to do, and I am grateful for every minute that I get to spend at the barn.

How did you get started?
As I said previously, my dad is a retired jockey, so I have been around horses since I was a little girl. When I was able to start riding horses and taking lessons, my love for the sport grew as well as my ambitions to compete at a higher level.

How long have you trained for this event and how difficult was it?
I have been training for Pony Finals since I qualified for it in December; that’s about seven or eight months that we have been preparing for this competition. Maria and I have definitely had our challenging moments throughout our preparation, but she is a very smart horse, so once she understands what I am asking of her she gives it her absolute best.

What advice would you offer someone considering this as a career?
It’s easy to get down on yourself, being that riding is difficult and you must think about many things at once, all while you’re controlling a horse underneath you. It takes a lot of persistence! Determination will most definitely lead to success; if you love what you do, and you keep at it, you’ll get to where you want to be.

Common misconceptions about what you do from others.
Many people think that riding is easy because “the horse does all the work.” While it is true that the horse is working hard, the rider works hard as well. We have to tell the horse what to do and where to go, as we have a certain path and order of jumps that we are expected to follow (also, it’s never the same course of jumps; it changes each show), as well as certain components of riding that we are expected to demonstrate. We must also try our best to make our riding look pretty and organized, which is challenging at times. It is both a physically and mentally demanding sport.

What are your hobbies?
I like to read! And I love to spend time with my friends!

What are your goals in the future?
I will most likely be majoring in pre-med when I begin college next fall (I am a senior in high school). My brother, Rick Faul, is a doctor, and I think I would like to follow in his footsteps. Whatever career I decide to take, horses will always be a part of my life. They have a very, very special place in my heart, especially Maria!

Vermilion Parish School Superintendent Jerome Puyau went to work as usual this week despite how the Vermilion Parish School Board voted last week.
A week ago the School Board placed Superintendent Jerome Puyau on administrative leave to investigate the superintendent. Thus far, Puyau has not spent a day at home since he has been placed on paid leave. Instead, Puyau showed up for work Friday morning and continues to show up for work.
He has worked six days since being placed on administrative leave.
Puyau said the reason he is going to work is because, according to Puyau, the school board does not have the right to put him on administrative leave. The board can only hire him or fire him.
Last Friday, Puyau placed tape over his mouth when he arrived at the central office. He put the tape over his mouth because the school board told him he was not allowed to talk to school employees while on leave. So, he placed tape over his mouth, but he carried a note pad as a way to communicate with co-workers.
According to Superintendent Puyau, “I live in the United States of America and believe in our Constitution and the rights that everyone afforded including the freedom of speech. The resolution that board member Kibbie Pillette read at the July 25, 2019 Special Board Meeting violated my rights by stating, ‘The superintendent cannot speak to anyone...’”
Puyau explained why he wore the blue tape.
“The blue tape was a demonstration of my rights as a U.S. citizen being violated. Furthermore, wearing the blue tape was another form of Freedom of Speech, and I will continue to uphold the Board policies and State Laws that guide me to make the right decisions for our students. All students!”
Puyau spent this week getting ready for the start of another year of school. He attended in-service for teachers, support workers, and bus drivers.
Teachers arrived at school this past Monday and students will begin on Aug. 8.
The Meridional asked School Board President Laura LeBeouf about Puyau going to work despite the 4-3 vote to put him on leave.
LeBeouf referred the question to school board attorney Bob Hammonds in Baton Rouge. The Meridional placed a phone call into Hammonds on Wednesday, and as of press time on Thursday, he had not returned the phone call.
In the meantime, school employees are preparing for the start of school. Puyau was busy talking up the school system.
“Do not let the politics interfere with our students and our teachers,” said Puyau in a television interview earlier in the week. “Our students are performing higher in grade three through eight, and nine through 12 in every subject, district-wide. Better than the state of Louisiana.
“These phenomenal numbers are not because of me, but I’m part of a team working as one which we call ‘Our Vermilion.”
Here are the items the School Board is going to investigate Puyau for:
• Failing to put items on Board agendas as requested by Board members, in violation of Board policy and District Court orders
• Failing to acknowledge and implement Board action on May 30, 2019 to eliminate the position of Risk Manager/Legal Counsel, effective that date
• Failing to acknowledge and implement Board action on May 30, 2019 to name Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice as Board General Counsel and to direct that all legal matters concerning school system be referred to that firm for handling, effective that date
• Hiring administrative personnel who do not meet the qualifications for the position outlined in Board-approved job description
• Authorizing the payment of private attorneys’ fees with Board funds without the knowledge or approval of the Board.
As of Thursday, it is unknown if the investigation has begun on Puyau.
Puyau said, “I think the Board should investigate any and all complaints including when they involve me. The investigation can continue without me on paid leave so we can begin our school year with the kids first.”

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Torlin Williams, 54, will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 3, 2019 at St. Mary Congregational Church, 213 South Louisiana Street, Abbeville, LA. Pastor Kevin M. A. Williams will officiate the services.
Interment will follow the services in St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, LA.
Visitation will begin at 8:00 AM at the church until time of services
Torlin Williams was born on June 21, 1965, in Lafayette, LA to Juanita W. Evans and Joseph Sampy and called to eternal rest on Sunday, July 28, 2019.
He graduated with high honors from Coastal Trucking Academy located in Opelousas, Louisiana. At the time of his death, he had become a licensed commercial truck driver for the company Covenant Transport located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After traveling 188 days across the United States to finish his training, Covenant Transport was so impressed by his work ethic and his drive for success, they commissioned him his very own truck.
Torlin enjoyed spreading the gospel through songs and testifying about the goodness of the Lord. He was not ashamed of his past and his testimony drew others to Christ. He always said, “If God did it for me, he will do it for you”.
Gifted artist! He was talented with the stroke of a pen, pencil, or air/ paintbrush. In his spare time, he created works of art for many people. He never refused to do a work of art for anyone. Sadly, his passing has left many unkept promises to a lot of people.
Nonetheless, his spirit lives through his mother, Juanita W. Evans of Abbeville, LA; fiancee Stacy Bernard of Abbeville, LA; three sisters: Glenda (Peter) Broussard II of Youngsville, LA; Elaine (David) M. Provost of Bossier City, LA; and Cleotter Evans of Pearland, TX; one son, Jakobie (Marcy) Huntsberry of Abbeville, LA; one daughter, Arlayshya Shelton of Salem, NC; three grandchildren: Bryce and Majestic Shelton of Salem, NC and Judah Huntsberry of Abbeville, LA.; loving godmother, Gloria W. Briggs of Abbeville, LA; one godchild, Brock Tyler Evans, , and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and friends. Torlin was preceded in death by his father Joseph Sampy; stepfather Henry A. Evans, Jr.; maternal grandparents: Lawrence and Lillian C. Williams, Sr.
View the obituary and sign the guest book online at www.carneyfuneralhome.net.
Professional services entrusted Carney Funeral Home, 602 North Pierce Street, Lafayette, LA, (337) 235-9789, is in charge of arrangements.

ELTON – On July 31, shortly before 2:30 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop D responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on LA 26 about four-and-a-half miles south of US Hwy 190.
The crash claimed the life of 27-year-old John Russell Venissat V of Gueydan.
The initial investigation revealed that Venissat was traveling south on LA 26 in a 2000 Toyota Corolla. For unknown reasons, Venissat crossed the centerline and struck a southbound 2010 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by 66-year-old Joanette L. Klumpp of Kinder.
Despite being properly restrained, Venissat suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Klumpp and her passenger were both properly restrained and were transported to a Lafayette area hospital with moderate injuries. Impairment is unknown, but toxicology samples were taken from the drivers for analysis. This crash remains under investigation. There is no further information available at this time.
Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, always ensure every occupant is properly restrained, and follow all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.