arabian horse world presents the 2007
YouthNationals Q &A
Caite Pigott
arabian horse world presents the 2007
YouthNationals Q &A
Caite Pigott
What’s the best advice your trainer gave you?
“The best advice I have ever received is to have fun, don’t worry about the ribbon, just do your best and the ribbons will come.” Logan Chisholm “The best advice a trainer has given me is to always slow down and not rush anything — take your time.” Rachel Mealer “My trainer Cynthia and her assistant Marissa are the greatest trainers. They've taught me all the basics. The best advice they told me is how to keep my horse, Klyde, moving forward, getting around the turns, and to not get too nervous!” Holland Stevens
Rachel Mealer
What goals do you hope to achieve?
“I would like to someday be a unanimous national champion. I think that would be the most incredible feeling ever! But, for now, I would love to make it to the finals on Hope, Dancer, Kirby, and Cyzzle at Youth Nationals.” Sarah Esqueda “Since this will be my first and last trip to Youth, my goal is to ride the best, but to also have fun. I’ve always wanted to compete at Youth and win or lose, I plan on enjoying every minute of the show.” Loree Ethell “This year I want to have the perfect ride. The kind of ride that makes me smile looking back on it. Hopefully there won’t be any cheesy classical music, unless it’s show hack!” Kelsey Kuhn “My goals would have to be to get the roses for my last year as a youth.” Laura Mealer
PHOTO: FERRARA
Kelsey Kuhn
“To have fun and be a national champion.” Holland Stevens “My ultimate goals by the time I finish the junior division are to win a division at Youth Nationals unanimously or to accomplish a triple crown.” Madi Stevens
Sarah Esqueda
How do you keep your parents entertained?
“We usually travel to horse shows in our RV. I really like this because it gives us a chance to spend time together as a family. We play board and card games, watch movies, and just hang out together and watch classes.” Loree Ethell “I keep my parents entertained by making them fall in love with this sport. They are very supportive of my dreams.” Laura Mealer
What is your greatest fear while competing?
“Definitely having my bun fall out! It’s never happened to me, but it seems like it would be so embarrassing. My mom always puts a ton of bobby pins in my hair, just in case. Oh, and having my sidesaddle skirt fall off, or my pants ripping. Actually, any major wardrobe malfunction.” Kelsey Kuhn “My greatest fear while competing is not being able achieve my goals and dreams.” Laura Mealer
What is the craziest thing that has happened to you on your horse?
“The craziest thing that I have ever had happen to me on one of my horses was when I was riding Gold Card at Venture Farms and he spooked at a radio on the rail, He darted sideways, I screamed, he ran, and I jumped off. Not the smartest thing to do since I scraped my face up really bad.” Logan Chisholm
Logan Chisholm
214 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ JULY 2007
How do you get in shape for Youth Nationals?
“I go up to the Burkman Centre every weekend I can. It helps me stay focused, and helps with my endurance. I love getting ready for youth. It means I get to stay at Cynthia’s for a whole week before youth! I love going on trail rides with my show horses, and seeing them every day.” Sarah Esqueda “To make sure that I am ready for the Youth Nationals, I ride as much as possible, listen to my trainer, and stay in shape with competitive cheerleading and lots of swimming.” Logan Chrisholm “To a certain extent I think that a competitor should only ride their horse so much, before they hand it over to their trainer to work their magic. My strategy is to ride as many different types of horses as possible. If I practice working cow, even though at Youth I’m only showing hunt seat, my seat still improves. Oh, yes, and I also ride a ton without stirrups. To mentally prepare, I try to think about the accidents people have had on horses, and how they could’ve prevented them. When it comes down to it, it’s because they quit riding. Remember: Keep riding until you hit the ground.” Kelsey Kuhn “I get in shape for Youth Nationals by working out at my local gym called Equinox. I do a lot of arm and leg work. Also running outdoors is a great way to stay in shape.” Rachel Mealer
What is your favorite restaurant in Albuquerque and why?
“My favorite restaurant in Albuquerque is Rudy’s Bar-be-que. I like it because it feels like you are having a picnic and the chicken is the best. And where else can you go and get a loaf of bread at dinner? It’s really cool.” Jessica Smith
Describe any interesting talents or characteristics of your horse.
“One of the coolest characteristics of MA Maverick is his long, beautiful mane and tail. Everyone always comments about it and I think it is awesome. Another interesting fact is, when Maverick and I are practicing, we don’t really get it together. But, then, when it is showtime, we both put our game face on and get out there and do what we do best.” Jessica Smith “This weekend I discovered that one of my horses sits like a dog when he gets let into the pasture.” Madi Stevens
215 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ JULY 2007
Loree Ethell
Laura Mealer
What do you look forward to most of all?
“While at Youth, I look forward to eating at Gardunio’s (I love Mexican food), seeing friends that I have not seen since last year, and riding my best. It is a really fun time and I look forward to it each year.” Logan Chisholm “I love going to Albuquerque and seeing all my horse friends. This year, my cousin Caitlin Pigott is showing with the Burkman Centre. It will be so easy for my family to hang out and support us together at one barn. I know she is going to have a great Youth this year. My friends at home don’t know what it’s like to compete on Arabians. They just don’t understand all the hard work it takes. When I come to Youth Nationals, everyone who competes trains as hard as I do. It’s so exciting when you make the cuts. Last year, I was lucky enough to go home with one National Championship with my Half-Arabian, Hope JF. I also won five Top Tens with Hope JF, BAF Night Dancer, and XX Cantarina. I can’t wait to get back there again!” Sarah Esqueda “What I’m most looking forward to at Youth is to show our great hunter horse, Adelaida V. She won her first national title in Louisville with my mom. Now it’s my turn! I’m also excited about meeting new people and participating in as many activities at the show as possible.” Loree Ethell “What I look forward to most is getting a wonderful opportunity to achieve my dreams.” Rachel Mealer “The things I look forward to at Youth Nationals are having fun, working hard, going out there and doing my best, and making my trainer Rob Long, my parents, sister, and Patti Scheier and Scheier Farms proud.” Jessica Smith “Having fun with my friends and big sister Madi, riding my horse Klyde and feeling good about what I accomplish.” Holland Stevens “Although I crave being with my horses and competing, I look forward most to being with close friends 24/7 and seeing friends that I only see at the shows.” Madi Stevens
216 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ JULY 2007