PHILLIP & KELLE SOUCIER

For the 2022 Special Middle East edition, I had the chance to interview Phillip and Kelle Soucier from Texas. Kelle has grown up around horses, her first horse was a flea-bitten Arabian, CP Mentor. He was her first horse and her first best friend. Less we know about her husband Phil, so it was quite interesting to dig into the past of this fortunate man and find out what’s like to share his life with an accomplished horsewoman like Kelle… 1. Hello Kelle, Hello Phillip. When did you first meet? 1. We met on April 28th 2017 at a country music festival called Stagecoach in California. I was there on a girls’ trip, not wanting any kind of relationship, and he was there with his boys, not wanting any relationship, but yet he took my hand that night and never let it go. He also told me that night, that his name, Phillip, means “Lover of horses.” 2. Phillip, when and how did you ask Kelle to marry you? 2. Kelle had been talking about wanting a place to call home since I met her, so earlier this year I surprised her with a new house and got down on one knee at the same time. It’s a much longer story, but I think she was really surprised. 3. Kelle, what was your first reaction? 3. He really fooled me, he and the agent made me believe the house was sold to someone else. Then a few weeks later told me the house might be available again and asked if I wanted to go see it one more time. While walking around, Phil surprised me and told me it was actually our house, and he already bought it. Then he got down on one knee with a ring. I almost fell over! What a dream. 4. What is in your opinion the key elements for a good and long-term relationship today? 4. Communication and respect are key. But also you have to fully accept each other and who you are. We both are a bit of wild, free spirits and I think from day one we have let each other be who we are. Tyler Rich has a great song called “Leave Her Wild” and I think that is really fitting for us. 5. Kelle, please, we would like to know everything about your life and involvement with horses. Where does this passion for horses come from? What role has it played in building your life? Do you own purebred Arabians yourself? What is your relationship with your horses? 5. My passion for horses is something I was born with. There is no other way to put it. I thank my parents greatly for always having horses as part of my life because I don’t know who I would be without them. They are literally not just a part of my life, they are a part of my soul. Everything I am, who I am, I have learned from horses. Phil had to learn right away that they were not some phase or hobby in my life. They are everything in my life. When I am having a bad day, if I feel sick, or if I’m stressed out, all I have to do is go see my horses and life is instantly better. How Lucky Am I that my biggest vice in life, my biggest addiction, is something that makes me feel so happy! It may not be the cheapest thing in the world, but it’s OK because I don’t shop for nice clothes or purses or shoes. All my money goes to my horses. I have had Arabians or half Arabians all my life. Right now, I currently have a big black Half Arabian that looks like Black Beauty, and I have a Friesian. 6. Phillip, to what extent has Kelle’s passion for Arabian horses influenced your life? 6. I knew nothing about horses when I met Kelle. Soon after, I realized how many people have horses. It seems like everywhere I go now, horses get brought up. Before Kelle, I never knew anyone with horses. She has really opened my eyes to a whole new world. I know I’ll never be as “horse crazy” as Kelle is, I’m not sure anyone will be, but I definitely have a full new appreciation for them. Kelle has helped me learn a lot. I now can spot an Arabian instantly and can see the differences between them and other horses. I love Arabians, they are so beautiful and really have a ton of personality. I love our Friesian too. I ride him because he puts up with me. I know we will have horses always, and I know I will learn a lot more over the years. Kelle tells me I need to show! We will see about that. 7. Guys, describe an average day with your horses. 7. When we go to the barn as a Family, we normally bring the dogs. Phil throws the ball around for the dogs while I work the horses. He helps me with bath time and treats. Some days we will both ride, but there aren’t many trails around, so the rides are pretty short. 8. Kelle, do you still participate in beauty competitions? 8. I only did one age ago when I was 18… The only competition for me are the horse shows! 9. Will you educate your children to love and respect horses? 9. I will absolutely raise them to respect and be kind to all animals. I hope they love horses. Noah actually does a lot! But, I won’t push it on them. Horses will always be my thing, and I would love to share that with my children, but it’s OK if they find their own thing too. 10. How do you see yourselves in ten years? 10. In ten years, I’d love to be living on a ranch with my family. I dream of having my horses in my backyard along with a ton of other animals. I’d be so happy just taking care of them and my family all day, every day. 11.“Always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn, then always be a unicorn”. Kelle, I found this quote on your Facebook timeline. Can you elaborate on this a bit more? 11. I don’t have a great answer for this other than! I think of someone who is a “unicorn” as being a person who is that all around amazing soul that you hear about but don’t believe actually exists. So if you can be a unicorn to someone, then you have accomplished making them believe in the unbelievable. Unicorns do exist 🙂 12. Phillip, will you please leave one last message for our readers? 12. I had always wondered why my parents would name me something that meant “Lover of horses”. It didn’t make any sense to me until I met Kelle, then it all made sense. We were meant to be. I never thought I’d be a “Horse Husband” but I feel like the luckiest man on earth. Kelle is the kindest, most compassionate, loving human I have ever known and if horses have anything to do with that, then everyone should get a horse. Thank you so much, guys, for your precious contribution. On behalf of the entire Arabian Horse Magazine team, I wish you all the best and a bright future together with your amazing horses!