The horse canters around the arena getting out the jitters like any athlete would. The clock starts, and the rider steers its partner toward the first obstacle. Momentum builds and in one graceful movement, the horse clears the jump and the crowd erupts in applause. The second and third jumps are executed just as beautifully but as the equine approaches the fourth it abruptly stops, sniffs the plants decorating the hurdles, and, to the frustration of its rider and the amusement of the crowd, takes a big, floral bite.
This is just one of the scenarios Kristi Pohly (B.S., ’98), who graduated from CSU’s College of Business, has to consider when creating potted plant and flower selections to use as décor for equine events at the National Western Stock Show.
“You never know when an animal is going to decide to just eat a plant,” she said with a laugh.
Pohly first got involved with the National Western Stock Show eight years ago when another CSU alum asked if Pohly could select potted plants and flowers for the equine events. For more than 20 years, Pohly has owned and operated Fleur Décor, which focuses on creating floral decorations for large-scale events. Pohly’s floral philosophy has always been about more than just having pretty flowers. It’s about understanding how color theory, textures, and the overall space itself interacts with the plants being placed in it. That philosophy, combined with Pohly being a “country girl trapped in the city with deep western roots” who loves meeting and interacting with people (especially Rams), caused her to jump at the opportunity presented by the stock show.
“When I first got involved, I had no idea how much it all entailed because there is so much going on,” Pohly explained. “Every year I learn something new about the horse world, the stock show, and indoor plant care. It’s been fascinating because there’s a lot of thinking that goes into this.”
That thinking begins in earnest around late fall when wedding season begins winding down. That’s when she flips her brain into stock show mode because, unlike weddings, nonprofit conferences, or other large-scale events, the stock show is far longer than a one-night affair, so the first thing to consider is the heartiness of the plant Pohly wants to include in the space. Since the NWSS runs for three weeks straight, Pohly needs to choose plants that can withstand inconsistent watering and light exposure, and that can be moved around a lot.
“The plants are stored in a huge stairwell where they can be easily accessed from the dirt floor of the event center, and they’re also used for other stock show events, like Boots and Business, Cowboy Church, and the Coors Art Reception, so they’re being moved constantly,” Pohly explained.
Then there’s seasonal availability, which can be tricky considering the show is in January. With that figured out, Pohly can begin thinking about which plants and flowers will bring the right aesthetic quality to the event – brightly colored flowers for the jumping events and more natural greenery for the hunter events.
“Mums are kind of the standard because they come in a variety of colors and are hearty, but we’ve also included tropical flowers that are also beautiful, colorful, and hearty. On the plant side, we have hanging ferns, philodendrons, and ficuses,” Pohly added.
And, of course, the most important thing to keep in mind is that at any moment, an animal could decide to stop by her floral decorations for a snack.
“With so many live animals being around we can’t have a poisonous plant in the decorations,” Pohly emphasized.
Once all of that is figured out, the work of ordering, receiving, placing, and caring for the plants begins.
“There are at least 100 potted flowers and 200 potted plants that arrive on two big trucks. It takes me about half a day just to get them all processed,” she explained. “We also have a group of volunteers who help with watering, moving, and decorating, and I really love all the people who come together to make the stock show happen.”
The people aspect is an extremely important part of the stock show for Pohly, and she always takes the opportunity to combine her love for people with her love for her alma mater.
“I also design the flowers for the CSU Alumni Association Member Breakfast that takes place on CSU Day [at the NWSS], and I also love volunteering at the CSU booth that day because I get to talk with fellow alumni,” Pohly said. “Every time I meet a CSU alum, I know I have an instant friend because I’ve gained so many wonderful opportunities from my CSU volunteering and work experiences in this state.”
Pohly is a Coloradoan through-and-through, and she has a real affinity for her western roots that include a ranching, wildflower-loving grandfather who inspired Pohly to combine her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit and do what she loves. That has manifested in both Fleur Décor and her newest venture – Pohly Hat Company.
“Pohly Hat Company was established last year at this time after I started reading the journals of the life experiences my Grandpa Pohly, while also realizing my love of felt/wool cowboy and rancher hats,” she explained. “My pride, heart, and soul run deep in representing our unique family name and the honest way of life my grandparents were dedicated to and that my family continues to live each and every day.”
For Pohly, these three loves – floral design, CSU, and the West – all come together during the National Western Stock Show, making it an absolutely perfect event.
“My favorite part of the NWSS is hard to nail down. The vast array of events is a highlight for me as you can attend bull riding, roping, horse jumping, ranch rodeo, dog agility, dancing horses, alpaca shows, and CSU SPUR events,” she said. “The events are endless, and they all truly portray a more simple and genuine old western way of life.”
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When you join the Colorado State University Alumni Association, you become part of something bigger – a global community of green and gold that keeps alumni connected to the University and each other. Life member Kristi Pohly is making an impact on current students and future Rams through her volunteerism and donations; providing support for alumni programming, outreach, and nationwide engagement; and preserving time-honored traditions that bind us together as Rams. You can make a difference too, and gain access to benefits such as exclusive invites, bookstore savings, career services, and more. Become a member today!
