Lauren Crivelli of Visalia, California truly epitomizes today’s all-around exhibitor. She attends the California State University at Fresno and is majoring in AgBusiness. She is also getting ready to show six horses at the AQHYA Youth World and will be competing in seven different events.
Lauren tries to live by the motto, “Today’s preparation determines
tomorrow’s achievements.” It appears that Lauren is following her own
advice when it comes to preparing for the Youth World this Year.
This delightfully talented and ambitious 19 year-old plans to show Floating On Assets in Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Hunt Seat Equitation; Huntin For You in Trail and Performance Halter Mares; ARC Beat Surprise in Reining; and three cutting horses: CD Olena Peppy, Lil Smart Cash, and Sheza Pesa Work.
“I have some great horses to show this year,” Lauren tells GoHorseShow. “They are all so different, so, I need to do a mental recap of what works best with each horse.” Crivelli adds that she is looking forward to the challenge. “I can’t wait to display what my horses and I have worked all year long to perfect.”
When asked how she was going to handle showing all these horses and not get distracted or flustered–she confidently remarked, “I have been thinking about that a lot, so I have a plan already laid out. I have some wonderful trainers that will help make all of this possible.”
These trainers include Doug and Stacy Huls and Troy Lehn who help Lauren with the All-Around events. Jimmy Stickler will prepare RC for the reining, and her grandfather and Rock Headlund will help her with the cutting.
“Cutting will be the most challenging class to prepare for because I will have to go off the grounds to work cattle,” Crivelli explains. “I won’t be able to just jump on the horse and practice whenever I have time.”
Lauren began cutting last September, and she says she learns something new every time she shows in the class. Her grandparents, Helen and Norman, have been riding cutting horses for over 40 years.
“I love watching my grandpa show, and I want to be just like him,” Lauren fondly says. “CD Olena Peppy is my grandpa’s pride and joy. He is a fun horse to show because you can really build his intensity on the cow, and you can tell he loves his job. Lil Smart Cash and Sheza Pesa Work are full brother and sister. My grandparents bred them, and they love to work cattle.”
Crivelli recommends that everyone should try to ride a cutting horse. “It is a blast, and I love the feeling of working a cow and knowing that my horse is enjoying himself. At the last show I was at, my horse was so into the cutting and had some really awesome moves. It felt so amazing that I couldn’t help but smile. The biggest grin crossed my face. In cutting, this happens on a regular basis. It is an amazing experience.”
Lauren’s grandfather won the 2008 NCHA World Champion in the $10,000 Novice Non Pro, the 2009 NCHA Western Nationals Champion in the Non Pro & the $10,000 Novice Non Pro, and the 2010 Top Ten NCHA World Finals in the Non Pro all with CD Olena Peppy. Her grandmother used to show cutting horses as well but now focuses on showing Trail. “She has learned a lot and is always best dressed in my opinion,” her proud granddaughter says and laughs.
Lauren recalls her favorite accomplishment in the equine industry so far was finding out that she made the finals at the 2009 AQHA Youth World in Showmanship, one of her favorite classes..
“It was the first time I had ever made the finals, and I was ecstatic. I remember when they announced my number, I began crying tears of joy. One of my dreams had finally come true,” Lauren said. “I went on to place fourth in the Showmanship, and ninth in the Hunt Seat Equitation that year, which was amazing, but just knowing that I made the finals for the first time was something I will never forget.”
When Lauren’s parents were younger, they showed horses. Her dad mainly rode working cow horses, and her mom grew up with horses and showed at open shows near where she lived. Her and her brother, Garrett, showed their grandparent’s horses from time to time in the leadline classes when they were younger. Lauren talks about the first horse and shows she attended when she was seven years-old.
“We started showing at open shows, then we began showing at small quarter horse shows, and it just grew from there! It’s funny because my first horse was a solid white Pinto, and the two all-arounder’s that I will be showing in my final youth year are white horses.”
Crivelli says she has mixed feelings of attending the AQHYA World Show this year since this is her last year to compete as a youth. “I am very excited because I have worked hard all summer with this show in mind, but I’m going to try and look at it as if it were just another show. I’m sad that this will be the last time I enter that arena as a youth. My youth career has left me with some amazing memories and unforgettable friends.”
Despite the sadness, Crivelli says she will continue showing an as amateur. “I love the competition. I am a very driven person, so when I set a goal, I do my best to achieve it. Aside from that, I love the camaraderie. I have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people. Some of my best friends, I have met through showing. No matter what state I’m in, I know I have friends near by.”
As far as future goals? Lauren says that she wants to expand her knowledge of the cutting, and she wants to show more in the trail. “Trail is a challenge that I would love to try and crack!”
Crivelli wisely concludes her thoughts by reminding all the youth showing at this year’s world show to thank their parents and their trainers often!
Photo © The American Quarter Horse Journal, Bullseye Photo
