Spotlights

Name: Halie Harner   Age: 17   Where do you live and with who? I live in Wilmington, Ohio. I live with my dad, mom, and sister.   How did you get involved in horses? My grandparents have always been in the breeding business of horses, so I have grown up with horses my whole life. I fell in love with horses and got my first show horse when I was 9. I first showed in 4-h then I got more involved by coming to the AQHA horse shows.   What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? The only event I show in is western pleasure. I chose this event because I love the way these types of horse move in the show ring. I also enjoy the fancy clothes that we get to wear.   What would be impossible for you

Name: Maggie Carter Age: 17   Where do you live and with who? I live in Berkey Ohio with my parents Tom and Julie Carter   How did you get involved with horses? I grew up with horses but I didn't have much interest in showing until I heard about 4-H from a friend of mine.   What disciplines/classes do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show in the All-Around events. I like the challenge of perfecting the relationship with my horse.   What would be impossible for you to give up? (something that’s non horse related) Friends and Family   Tell us something nobody knows about you I was born with Dandy Walker Syndrome.   Where can we find you when you aren’t at a horse show? You can find me in various locations

Ellexxah Maxwell running for a 2017-2018 AQHYA Officer/Director position interviewed by Tori Kendle 1. Where do you live and with whom? I live in West Mansfield, Ohio with my parents, Brent and Melissa, and my grandma, Rebecca. 2. How do you want to be seen by your peers? I want to be seen as someone who is hardworking and not swayed by other people’s opinions. I speak my own mind, stand up for what I believe in, and I do the right thing no matter what other people think of me. 3. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses (personal and horse related)? Why? My biggest strength is having so much experience in the horse industry because I’ve been in it for so long. My biggest weakness is the same- I never do anything outside

Brooke Bradley running for a 2017-2018 AQHYA Director position interviewed by Alex Black Where do you live and with whom?  I live in Plain City, Ohio with my parents Dan & Melissa and my two younger sisters, Blaire and Brenna.   How do you want to be seen by your peers? I want to be seen by my peers as kind, encouraging, fair and a good listener.   What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses (personal & horse related)? Why? My biggest strength with horses is my hard work, I have had to work VERY hard to get where I’m at today. My talented horses have helped, but it took a while to “click”. My personal strength is being trusting. I look for the very best in people and try to accept everyone as they are, faults and all.

2017-2018 AQHYA Officer/Director Candidate Caleb Sturgeon interviewed by Alexia Tordoff   Where do you live and with whom? Beloit, Ohio with my mother, Valerie, and my father Eric.   How do you want to be seen by your peers? As a hardworking, responsible, and modest individual.             What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses (personal & horse related)? Why? My biggest strength is that I can compose myself when situations get out of hand. My biggest weakness would be that I really love to procrastinate.   How do you contribute to your community? I am active in my 4-H group which participates in various community service projects such as Salvation Army bell ringing, road clean up, and soup kitchens.

Olivia Tordoff running for a 2017-2018 AQHYA Officer/Director position interviewed by Courtney Hilty Where do you live and with whom?  I live in Powell, Ohio with my parents, Shari and Greg, as well as my younger sister Alexia.    How do you want to be seen by your peers? I want to be seen by my peers as someone with impeccable integrity, an exceptional work ethic, open-minded and a true friend.    What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses (personal & horse related)? Why? My biggest strengths are that I am very focused and willing to work very hard to reach my goals. I believe that if something is worth doing it is worth doing to the best of your ability and you should give 110%. I am also very loyal. My biggest weaknesses

Name:  Olivia Derlis Age: 19 Grade: Sophomore in college    Where do you live and with who? Olivia lives in Thornville, OH with her mom, dad, and grandma.    How did you get involved with horses? In Elementary school there was a flyer at school for horse lessons and she brought it home to her mom and wanted to do it because it looked fun.    What disciplines/classes do you show and why? Olivia shows in the Hunter events; the equitation over fences, working hunter, hunter hack, and sometimes equitation on the flat. She enjoys the hunter events because it is more challenging and fun.    What would be something that is impossible to give up (Not horse related)? She said her families boat would be something she couldn't give

  Name:  Jessica Batton Age: 15 Grade: Sophomore   Where do you live and with who? My dad, John, and Mom, Kristen, in Sydney, OH   How did you get involved in horses? Since as long as I can remember my parents have had and shown reining horses. Growing up, I rode them as well and have absolutely loved it.   What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I primarily show in the reining classes. I enjoy reining because it is thrilling, competitive, and challenging.   What would be impossible for you to give up? (something that's not horse related) Popcorn   Tell us something that no one knows about you. Very few people in my life know that I used to do ballet and love to pop bubble

Name: Colton Smith Age: 10 and in 3rd grade. Where do you live and with who?:  Bellefontaine, OH and lives with his parents Dewey and Tammi Smith. How did you get involved with horses?:  Colton has been around horses all his life and when they were building their new barn in Oklahoma, he became super attached.  What disciplines/classes do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)?: He shows in Halter, both his parents have shown halter and they have a breeding program for halter horses. What would be impossible for you to give up? (something that’s non horse related): “I could never give up my family, because they have taught me everything I know.” Tell us something nobody knows about you:  “I’m

Name: Marley Mainwaring Age: 17 1. Where do you live and with who?  Marley lives in San Pedro, California with her mom, Mindie Maus.   2. How did you get involved in horses?  "My mom used to show when she was little, I also started taking lessons when I was little and my career and love for horses took off from there," Marley told me.   3. What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline(s) or class(es)? Marley competes in the All-Around events (Western Horsemanship, Showmanship, Trail, Western Riding, Western Pleasure) because that's what her mom started showing.   4. What would be impossible for you to give up? As Marley told me, she wouldn't be able to live without her dogs. She wouldn't