2024 Youth Nationals Digital Coverage by Arabian Horse Times

Digital Coverage

Four Equestrians, Three Generations, Two Horses, And One Love

The Sutton Family At Youth & Mid Summer

Nationals

By CAITLIN PIGOTT

One of the most special things about having Mid Summer Nationals join Youth Nationals is that families can show together on a massive stage. Three generations of equestrians, four riders and two horses, made the trip from Ohio this year. Stephanie Sutton (grandmother), Brittany Sutton (mother), Parker (12), and Amelia (11) showed Red Dawnn (“Sassy”) and GDE Judicious (“Jud”) to one national championship, one reserve national championship, and nine top tens – including Amelia’s and Brittany’s first national wins.

This family unit handles the daily care, training, and show preparation themselves. Brittany does the early morning feeding and manages the horses’ exercise routines. Parker and Amelia live a lot of young kids’ dreams by having their horses in their backyard. But, this luxury does not come without responsibility. Both headed out halfway through the interview for this story, because it was feeding time. Just because it was only two days after returning home from Youth Nationals didn’t mean their duties could be put on hold. Alongside the wonderful memories they make with their mom, grandma, and plethora of friends they ran around the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds with, these kids are learning the value of hard work.

Parker was almost-exclusively focused on his getting his correct leads during his first year loping – only momentarily distracted by how inflated his bike tires were and when it was time for his daily root beer float. He and his partner-in-crime Jud had a great week, which included only correct leads and multiple top ten prizes. During this season Jud was trained by longtime friend Pepper Proffit – who instructed Brittany as a kid. When Parker and Amelia headed off to “Camp Pepper” leading up to Youth Nationals, Brittany and Stephanie were filled with nostalgia.

At home, Parker is the brave man of the house, always volunteering to turn the barn lights off because that task scares his little sister. Although she doesn’t like the dark, Amelia doesn’t show an ounce of fear when it comes to her Sassy. She was proud to report that she sometimes climbs aboard Sassy in her stall, much to her mother and grandmother’s dismay.

Along with Amelia, Sassy carries an another emotional legacy. The Sutton family bought this horse many years ago from the Chance family with the advice and guidance of trusted friend Sharon Blendinger. Brittany worked hard to make sure the young horse and her daughter were ready for each other. Their national championship victory this year shows that she not only models the value of hard work, but also of patience.

Sassy was the last horse that Susan and Chad Chance’s daughter Vail named before her sudden passing in 2016. So, Sassy became special for more than “just” being a fourth generation product of Susan’s family’s breeding program. An Arabian Horse Times photo sponsor since 2018, The Friends of Vail Foundation (named in Vail’s honor) gave away “lucky piggies” this year to participants in the AHPA Hunter Pleasure Walk/Trot class. Brittany, Stephanie, and Susan were all moved by seeing the Friends of Vail logo on their celebratory photos and watching Amelia cuddle her perfectly pink stuffed pig.

“I can’t imagine what Susan went through,” Brittany shared with an empathy only a fellow-mother can evoke. “Having Sassy have her own little girl in Amelia is a heavy feeling because Vail only got that for a short time. I feel like in a way she and Amelia get to carry on Vail’s legacy.”

The success, life lessons, and emotions packed into the Suttons’ story is a reminder that being involved with Arabian horses, no matter the scale, gives children a place to be kids, and families a place to form priceless traditions and memories. n

From top: Brittany aboard GDE Judicious (Elijah Bey x Leaning On A Dream), 2024 Mid Summer National H/A Western Pleasure AATR 19-49 Reserve Champion and Red Dawnn (SF Aftershoc x Otherwise Engaged), Top Ten Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR Select and AATR 19-49; and Amelia with Red Dawnn, 2024 Youth National Arabian Hunter Pleasure Walk/Trot 10 & Under Champions.

For anyone who has experienced overwhelming anxiety or panic, you know what it feels like. For those who don’t, imagine going through a tunnel, having the light turn dark around you, unable to see the light on the other side. It becomes all encompassing. It often strikes out of nowhere, with no warning. And it feels like there is nothing you can do to “snap out of it.” For some athletes and performers, these feelings often attack while they are doing their sport or art.

Performance anxiety (also referred to as stage fright) is defined by the American Psychological Association as, “apprehension and fear of the consequences of being unable to perform a task or of performing it at a level that will raise expectations of even better task achievement.” In a sport with as much financial, emotional, and social investment as the competitive Arabian horse circuit, it is no surprise that some people in our industry can become crippled by their anxiety.

Arabian horse competitor and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Tiffany Kurth-McNeill describes anxiety in the following way.

“Everyone experiences varying degrees of anxiety in daily life,” she shared. “It’s actually important to never entirely eliminate anxiety through treatment, it can be a superpower and improve performance. But, when the volume of the anxiety symptoms is too high, it can impair daily functioning and ultimately hinder performance.”

Grace and Tap Out (Mamage x Beaulieu's Tapestry), 2024 Mid Summer National Champion Half-Arabian Country English Pleasure AATR 19-49 and Reserve Champion Country English Pleasure AAOTR Choice.

By CAITLIN PIGOTT

Grace Raleigh, a familiar name to the industry, has been courageously open about sharing her struggles with performance anxiety. She describes how it ultimately kept her from the show ring – and for the most part – the barn for nearly two years. She was defeated by her anxiety for a time but had a major comeback at the recent 2024 Mid Summer National Championships, where she earned a national championship and reserve national championship with her teammate Tap Out (Teddy). She is a selfdescribed work-in-progress when it comes to her performance anxiety but has made impressive strides in the right direction.

“I go to horse shows as an escape from stressors and triggers in my everyday life,” Raleigh said. “They made me feel good and I could block it all out. Then, suddenly, those stressors and triggers found me there too. It was so frustrating to not be able to enjoy my horses in the way I used to.”

Grace wanted to perform, but her circumstances got the best of her, resulting in mental and physical symptoms that kept her from showing. If she made it into the gate, she seldom finished a class. And more importantly, her trusted people at Daniel Training Center realized she was no longer having fun. And as a “fearless barn rat,” according to Julie, this lack of joy raised real concern in her specifically.

During the height of her struggles, the entire Daniel Training Center staff continued to show up for Grace in ways that they could. Julie recounts many times

when they would take Grace’s horses to show, and they would not see the show arena. Sometimes she would come to practice, sometimes she would not. But they were there and ready for her when and if she decided to join them.

At the 2022 Youth Nationals, Julie sat down with Grace, in her concern, to suggest Grace take a step back from showing the way she was trying to. She knew that Grace needed time to find her enjoyment with horses again. They bought some broodmares to try and start breeding, keeping Grace engaged that way.

Grace did the things necessary to get herself in a healthier place with her anxiety surrounding the horses. As she walked through that journey, she says that she stayed a huge fan of Tap Out who was earning more and more notoriety in the Half-Arabian Country and Show Hack divisions. At the 2023 U.S. Nationals, Grace had the opportunity to make Teddy her own, and she worked on her confidence and comfort to get her through some competitions in this season. She finds the same calm in Teddy as she did in JSN Manhattan (Finn), the only horse she could successfully show in the depths of her struggles.

Grace is not without her performance anxiety anymore, but she says she’s shifted her perspective to just trying and having fun. “Now I realize it is not as serious as my brain was making me believe,” Grace said about her mindset shift. “This is fun. I am meant to be having fun. If I am not, then what is the point? I am having so much fun again and am grateful to Julie and the whole Daniel Training Center team and family for sticking with me through this.”

“I was so present in the moments immediately following Grace and Teddy’s class,” Julie shared about the HalfArabian Country Pleasure AATR 19-39 victory. “So many people who are close to us and know this part of Grace’s story congratulated her. Some trainers and fellow competitors [from that class] even got off the horses they were working or showing to be able to share that moment with us. It was really moving as a trainer to see my colleagues and other amateurs behave that way.”

Julie’s best piece of advice to trainers who may have riders who experience the same thing, is to utilize this incredible community she spoke of earlier. She reflected on reaching out to Ray LaCroix when Grace was in the depths of her experience. She knew that since he had dealt with so many riders over the years, he had maybe experienced something similar. She is grateful for his advice and the support of so many other “trainer friends.”

It is our hope, that with Tiffany’s expertise, along with Grace and Julie’s story, that together as an industry we can normalize this common experience through conversation to improve mental health. Together we are better, by helping each other (young riders, amateurs, and professionals) to find ways to handle performance anxiety so that more stories end up how Grace’s did – with victory in the arena and in mind. n

DANIEL TRAINING CENTER A Win for One is a Win for All

By CAITLIN PIGOTT

Comprised of young riders, siblings, parents, and three trainers who are dedicated to their clients’ success (Julie Daniel, Kasey Moffat and Lauren Stephenson), Daniel Training Center returned home to Scottsdale, AZ from the 2024 Youth and Mid Summer Nationals with eight national championships, 10 reserve national championships, and 52 top tens! Six of the riders who showed in Oklahoma City for Team DTC (including assistant trainer Lauren Stephenson) started in Apex Riding Academy, the lesson program that operates at Daniel Training Center.

“A win for one is a win for all,” Ann Csincsak, a DTC competitor and mother to two children in the program shared. “That is shown from the top down and engineered into the heart of the barn.”

Julie confirmed that this mentality was intentional in designing her program. By limiting the number of horses in training and encouraging things like social outings (outside the barn), the barn mates have become like family. Another barn mom, Jenn Thompson shared that this experience has been healthier than any other team sport they’ve participated in. Jenn added, “Charlie [her daughter] would not be riding if she wasn’t genuinely supportive of the other kids at the barn. It’s very important to me and part of what makes the culture at DTC so great!”

Jenn also shares her young daughter has learned valuable life lessons during her three years as part of the DTC family. She summed them up as: valuing hard work, understanding success does not come easy, recognizing that just because you work hard doesn’t mean it will always go your way, and learning to roll with the challenges.

Aside from maintaining a positive, encouraging barn culture, the DTC staff is committed to turning out wellprepared, competitive teams of riders and horses. Julie shared how advice she received over the years has helped her align her priorities as a leader in this industry.

“By focusing on the horse’s health, comfort, and happiness, I’ve found that everything else—training success, rider satisfaction, and a harmonious barn environment—naturally falls into place. Julie is also quick to compliment the team she has around her. At shows, the key players of that team would be Kasey Moffat and Lauren Stephenson.

Kasey has been with Julie for 18 years and is embedded in the DTC family. At this year’s Mid Summer Nationals, she earned her first set of national roses with Tap Out – accomplishing a goal she has had since age 13. Taking herself back to that day she said, “I was elated to hear our names be announced, especially in such a difficult, prestigious class. It is a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.” When asked what her most common piece of encouragement to her riders is, she answers with a simple “you can do this.”

When Lauren started taking lessons with Julie eight years ago, she had no idea it would turn out to be her career. “This path wasn’t something I had meticulously planned out; it evolved naturally from my love for what I was doing,” she shared. “My first full season as a professional rider means so much more to me than any ribbon could.”

Both Kasey and Lauren’s stories and successes signal to one of the things Julie is most proud of. “As a boss and mentor, witnessing the kids who grew up in my barn transition into trainers themselves working alongside me and then succeed in the Open ring fills me with pride. There is no better feeling.” n

To Be Kind It Is

At Youth Nationals, if Parker Sutton-Pedraza was not riding his horse, GDE Judicious ("Jud"), he was off riding his bike. Early in the week, Peter Stachowski noticed that Parker was running his tires low, so told the young man to use the pump at the Stachowski stalls any time he needed. Parker's bike, however, eventually hit a point where the tire pressure was not the only issue, when it was learned that Peter, as well as Sharon Blendinger, had gone to buy Parker new tires, inner tubes and brakes. Once Peter the mechanic got to work, Parker's bike was good as new. With dozens of horses on the property to attend to, this was definitely not something that they had to do, but in Parker's appreciative words, he said he learned from this that "it is free to be kind."

YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 18-27, 2024 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

JUDGES

SIX JUDGE PANEL

Donnie Bullock – Fredericksburg, VA

Todd Hickerson – Wilton, CA

Brian Murch – Orchard Park, NY

John Power – Bradenton, FL

Todd Trushel – Fairview, PA

Cathy Vecsey – Scottsdale, AZ

UPHA

Todd Trushel – Fairview, PA

WORKING WESTERN

Michael Damianos – Ojai, CA

Jeff Lee – Stanwood, WA

Sheri Odom – Lake Havasu City, AZ

WORKING HUNTER

Kathryn Jones – Watkinsville, GA

Sue Lightner – Wellington, FL

Leslie Stohlgren – Scottsdale, AZ

DRESSAGE

Carol Bishop – Gastonia, NC

Fatima Pawlenko-Kranz – Algonquin, IL

Susan Posner – Lexington, KY

Joyce Swanson – Castle Rock, CO

Show results provided by AHA

Candid photos by Meaghan Estes & Ally Edwards

Photos sponsored by Friends Of Vail Foundation

Photos availabe to view and purchase at ahtimes.com/photos

A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY AND THE ARABIAN HORSE

by Ally Edwards

The sun is out, the temperature is hot, July has come – it sounds like it’s time to head to Oklahoma City! About 900 horses traveled to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds to compete at the 2024 Arabian and Half-Arabian Youth and Mid Summer National Championships. Stretching across 10 days and three arenas, youths, amateurs, and professionals competed in a multitude of different divisions that encapsulate the versatility of the Arabian horse.

The Jim Norick Arena catered to western pleasure, hunter pleasure, country and English pleasure, as well as specialty classes like native costume and side saddle. Across the road in the Performance arena were all the working western disciplines and halter classes, and a quick walk further, dressage, sport horse, hunter equitation, and over fences classes could be found in the Specialty Arena. Such a wide range of events and divisions all within one breed and shown by all ages proved the Arabian’s diversity in spades.

This show is one of the best as it continues to put youth exhibitors at the forefront. There were activities in the AHA Chill Box for kids to do together while also escaping the heat; ice cream socials, scavenger hunts, and a final Saturday night filled with some of the most competitive youth championships. And always a favorite, the dog costume contest and races in the main arena are taken just as seriously as any of the classes with horses!

Class size varied throughout the whole show with the largest being the hunter and country divisions. The largest, the newly added AHPA Hunter Seat Pleasure Equitation 18 & Under Exhibition, clocked in at 49 entries. With three section cuts, Alexis Peterson and RGT Fireball Whiskey cinched the national championship roses and Averie Horiski and SF Its A Mirakel took reserve. The sport horse arena also boasted large entry numbers with multiple 20+ horse classes. It’s always good to see some deep competition in all the rings and the excitement of all for those making the top ten.

Dominating the sport horse ring was a beautiful palomino named Italian Gold who took home an astounding 21 rose garlands (15 championships and six reserves); 10 of those (five each) in youth competition. This Half-Arabian gelding owned by Marissa and Ronald Bartholomew exemplified the versatility of the breed by competing in dressage, western dressage, sport horse under saddle and in-hand, and over fences; an incredible accomplishment with multiple riders beyond his owners.

Some of the most competitive classes at the show include the purebred and Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Equitation for the 15to 18-year-olds. A handful of the top youth riders battle it out in the flat portion and then pattern for the honor of national champion. One of the most elegant classes at nationals, this year Bostyn Leffler aboard WP Corporate America took the purebred win and Alexa Gilbert on Toi Sensation were the Half-Arabian national champions. Both girls had near flawless rides and patterns, on top of being stunning riders, and were both deserving of the titles.

Another class of graduating seniors took their last lap at Youth Nationals this year. The Senior Graduation ceremony at the end of the show celebrated all the kids with recognition of their scholastic achievements. Hopefully, we will see some of these young adults next year in the amateur classes to continue their journeys with their Arabian horses. The beloved Friends of Vail Foundation and Ty Wallis scholarships were awarded to seniors Mackenzie Hooker and Harper Rose, respectively, to put towards their future education.

One thing more noticeable this year was a higher sense of sportsmanship among the youth exhibitors. Instead of competing solely against each other, there was still an abundance of support from those in the class for the winners. During the short stirrup reining awards, all the kids with their top ten ribbons were

huddled in a circle down at the end of the ring chatting and giggling before the top two got their prizes. After the show, mother Krissy Pruitt wrote online how grateful and excited she was for her son, Josh, who has autism and not always the easiest time in social situations. But at his first Youth Nationals, he was welcomed by so many kids and made a ton of friends that included him in games around the show and supported him in his classes. He came home with three top tens that he was so excited about and countless great memories, all because of the amazing members of the Arabian community. Regardless of the competition and results, the memories made with horse show friends will be the most special.

This year’s Youth Nationals was another great success with sessions running smoothly and timely with adequate breaks for the horses, exhibitors, and trainers to reset. A big thank you to the show staff for all they do and the hours they put in to make this show as good as it can be every year. Being graced with nice weather was another treat that we haven’t felt in Oklahoma City in years, which definitely boosted morale among everyone. Next year there will most likely be a brand new main arena at the fairgrounds set to open in spring 2025, surely adding another level of excitement this national show. Another summer, another Youth Nationals in the books, and the kids are already counting down the days until next year to ride for the roses with their horses and friends.

YOUTH

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Arabian Mare JOTH LEXXUS NS

(Exxalt x Sheza Marcedes)

Ex: Brynlee Guimaraes

O: Luiz and Ashley Guimaraes

Arabian Mare JTH BELLACEETA

(Masquerade PA x Fadila PCF)

Ex: Chloe Harper

O: Jeremy or Chelsea Harper

Arabian Gelding JOTH & JTH RIO FH

(Beijing BHF x Falcons Felisha BHF)

Ex: Hope Krichke

O: Keith or Maureen Krichke

HA/AA Mare 3 & Over JTH NIRVANAS BLACK WIDOW

(Nutcracker’s Nirvana x Toi Magic CRF)

Ex/O: Autumn McKinney

HA/AA Gelding 3 & Over JTH HERCULES SBA

(Artemas GA x Ebony By Valentino)

Ex: Rebecca Bassichis

O: Stella Bella Arabians LLC

Arabian Mare 3 & Over JTH VIQUITA JUELL XX

(Vitorio TO x Beautiful Juell V)

Ex: Holly Capron | O: Dana Crawley

Arabian Gelding 3 & Over JTH

THOR SBA

(Inception x SF Marwhambra)

Ex: Jody Loeffler-Murray

O: Stella Bella Arabians LLC

HA/AA Mare 3 & Over JTH

WS MARILYN MONWHOA

(Sundance Kid V x WS Whistlin Dixie)

Ex/O: Theodore Farnsworth

HA/AA Gelding 3 & Over JTH

KHRIS LE DOUX J

(Khaja J x Blue Moon J)

Ex/O: Isobel Comolli

Arabian English Pleasure JOTR 15-18

WP CORPORATE AMERICA

(WP Corporate Image x Barbarys Angel)

Ex/O: Mackenzie Hooker

Arabian English Pleasure

JOTR 14 & Under & JTR Select

CSP GRAND CAYMON

(Mamage x JJ Sioux Hope)

Ex: Ellie Wilson | O: Chris and Shan Wilson

Arabian English Pleasure JTR Choice

LADIE IN REDD

(ROL Divine Style x Heirs Noble Love)

Ex: Isabella Gonzalez

O: Hagale Family Arabians LLC

Arabian English Pleasure JTR Elite

FHEIREST OF ALL

(Afires Heir x Tribekka)

Ex/O: Sophia Bourdeau

Arabian Country English Pleasure

JOTR 15-18 & JTR Choice

SHF MATILDABEY

(The Renaissance x Misstafirebey)

Ex/O: Mackenzie Hooker

Arabian Country English Pleasure

JOTR 14 & Under & JTR Elite

MOVES AFIRE WA

(Afires Heir x The Way She Moves)

Ex/O: Reese Tierney

Arabian Country English Pleasure

JTR Select 15-18

LIGHT MY FYRE LR

(Tryst CCF x BA Inspiration)

Ex/O: Lilian Burick

Arabian Country English Pleasure

JTR Select 14 & Under

NOTORIOUS AFIRE

(Afire Bey V x MA Nobella)

Ex/O: Shelby Bellville

HA/AA English Pleasure JOTR 15-18

CRACK ME UP

(Black Daniels x Valentina’s Jewels)

Ex: Lola Fiorenza | O: Sandra Fiorenza

HA/AA English Pleasure

JOTR 14 & Under

CSP RUM CHATA

(CSP Grand Caymon x The Gossip Writer)

Ex: Gianna Kern

O: Bella Cavallo Stables LLC

HA/AA English Pleasure Select JTR

HAVE YOU EVER

(Baske Afire x Siere Usi)

Ex/O: Alexandra Lyons

HA/AA English Pleasure Choice JTR

MISS MARTINI BF

(GSF Rizing Son x Lucky’s Stylish Martini)

Ex: Isabella Gonzalez

O: Hagale Family Arabians LLC

HA/AA English Pleasure Elite JTR

TOOSKCANDALOUS RT

(HA Toskcan Sun x Topline)

Ex: Rene Ramirez Jr. | O: Rainie Kuchynka

SADDLE SEAT