Valerie Shetler is 8 years old and she showed Hilals Rockin Robin. Her horse is a 20 year old half Arabian mare. They showed in Walk-Trot Western Showmanship, Pleasure and Equitation.
This was Valeries first Regionals and she has been showing for a little over a year. When asked about Regionals she said “I am excited for everything about regionals. I get to go with my grandma and trainer, camping for a week. Needless to say I can not wait for regionals. I have been working towards this show since last year.”
We also found out that Valerie has several other hobbies including soccer, showing her mini, camping, fishing and being outdoors.
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Julie brought two horses to Region 5, Mariner and Maxine. Mariner is a veteran show horse and they compete in trail (English and Western), Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Eq and Ranch Pleasure. Mariner had a great show coming home with three Champions, two Reserve Champions and four top fives. Maxine competed in the Ranch Pleasure with Joyce and was Champion.
When asked what she was looking forward to at the show Julie said “Looking forward to hanging out with everyone and Diane's patrons lounge with the great food…which means no cooking for several days which is a huge bonus for me!” She also enjoyed watching some amazing horses and learning as much as she could from her fellow exhibitors.
She went on to say, "It is a wonderful personal growth week for me always. I learn something every time."
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Christina told us that she showed at Region 4 and 5. When asked about her history she said “I've supported my daughter showing for years, but this year she decided she wanted nothing to do with it. So I was faced with the decision to sell our horse, or do it myself!
So after pretty much 6 years off, I am back in the saddle on a horse I've now only ridden for about 13 rides. I'm super excited to try this myself and am having so much fun with the crew at DesFountain! I have a long way to go, but I'm really excited. He is a lot of horse for me, but I'm challenging myself because I love him and worked really hard to get him!”
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Kaylee Markonich showed her horse Edens Csecret JMF who she trained herself. She showed him in her youth classes along with the ATR Maturity.
When talking to her mom she said that Kaylee is a veteran at hunt seat…but has not shown western at a regional in over 10 years. Edens Csecret JMF or “Rio” as they call him came from Margeret Frieze last June. After just two months of being green broke Kaylee started to work with him.
Originally he was bough with the intention of being a trail horse but Kaylee saw the potential in him. This young lady is very talented and has done an amazing job with her horse. They brought home one unanimous champion and two reserve champions from the show. Kaylee also showed in her very first country class and went reserve champion in that as well.
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Valerie is one of Kimberlee Wills walk trot students. According to her mom, she has recently started saddle seat with her mare MSA Afires Jewel who is also in foal this year to Brandon Bey JCA of Jade Creek Stables. Valerie has gone to every Region 5 show including Cascade Youth except for Heritage. Valerie shows her mare in Walk Trot Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat and Trail. Then at regionals she also borrowed one of Kim’s geldings for Walk-Trot Western Pleasure and Equitation. Valerie had a great show and was our Walk Trot High Point Reserve Champion.
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Isabelle showed two horses at Region 5 Antonnio+ (Buddy) and Cherokey Raven Asadd (Rave). With these two horses she competed in Hunter Pleasure, Hunt Seat Qu, Horsemanship and Showmanship. When we asked Isabel to describe her horses here is what she had to say.
“I met Buddy for the first time when he was three days old, and I was seven years old. I never saw him again until we ran into his owners five years later at the 2012 Daffodil Arabian show - Buddy was there being shown for his very first time. Three months after that, we were invited to visit Buddy at his home in Olympia and I rode him for the first time. He ended up being my Christmas present that year, and the best gift I could have ever received. Buddy is my dream horse and there is no way to describe how much I love him.” In regards to Rave “I met Rave in August 2015 and his sweet nature drew me in right away. He is such a kind and gentle horse who is willing to give you his trust if you are willing to earn it. I feel very privileged to be able to ride and show Rave, and I am very thankful to his owner, Susan, for entrusting her sweet boy to me in the show ring.”
Isabelle has shown at regionals for several years now with Buddy….she said “As much as I have shown Buddy, the thrill of trotting him into the ring is something I always look forward to. Riding him is such a blast and I am so excited for the fun of regionals with my special boy!” Isabelle and Buddy had a wonderful show they were Champion in both of the 14-18 Hunter Pleasure classes and one was unanimous. This year was her first time showing Rave at the regional level, as well as my first show season with him. According to Isabelle “While we have only shown for a few months together at this point, we have overcome many obstacles as a team and I can’t wait to show him at regionals. It will be very special having his owner, Susan, there cheering us on.” A highlight for Isabelle and Rave at the 2016 Region 5 Championship show was winning the Hunt Seat Eq NTJ 14-18.
When asked is there was anything else that Isabelle would want to share she said “ I am at the barn five days/week riding and working the horses, so that takes most of my free time…and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I’m not at the barn, I am usually studying or hanging out with friends. I will be a junior in high school this coming year, and I am beginning the Running Start program at South Puget Sound Community College. I plan to graduate in 2018 with my High School diploma as well as an AA degree. I will go on to a four-year college after that, although I have not yet decided what career I would like to pursue.”
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About Region 5
The Arabian Horse Association's Region 5 encompasses Alaska, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana. Region 5 has earned the respect of Arabian horse competitors across the country. Whether for show, endurance or dressage, horses from the Pacific Northwest are among the best in the nation. The quality and caliber of our Region 5 horses are evident by the results of highly competitive shows such as the U.S. Nationals, Canadian Nationals, and Scottsdale.
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