“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future,” former President John F. Kennedy once said. With the recent end of the 2011 AQHYA World Championship show, the saying reminds us that the development and growth of youth membership is also crucial for the future survival and prosperity of the horse industry.
Recently while at the AQHYA World Show, GoHorseShow was excited to witness some amazing performances from up-and coming riders. In this specific case, these young exhibitors also happen to be the children of some of the top trainers in the country. We asked Kaylee Mellott, Klay McDowall, Austin and Calyn Halvorson, Taylor Searles, Kaylee Rampey, Shea Graham, Deanna Green and others about their World Show experience. Among those mentioned, there were four Reserve World Champions in this young group of exhibitors, and three of the reserve champions were some of the youngest in the group!
TAYLOR SEARLES
Taylor Searles had the ride of her life at the AQHYA Youth World this year. Unequivocally a crowd favorite, 12 year-old Searles and Flashy Attraction (Ryder) scored an incredible 227 to win a Reserve World Championship in the Western Riding. Searles said that she didn’t mind being behind one of her idols and friends, Theresa Moran, who won on Vital Signs Are Good. Moran gave Taylor a four leaf clover for good luck before she showed–it appears to have worked for both ladies.
“I was so happy with my finals go. I couldn’t have asked for a better ride. It was the highest I have ever scored and probably the best ride I have ever had with Ryder,” Taylor said. “Losing behind Theresa was like winning–that mare is so amazing, and I was so happy for Theresa to win. It was also great to hear the crowd’s reaction and everyone was telling me that my parents were crying in the stands after I won.”
At 12 years-old, Searles is already a veteran in the show arena. This year was her third time to show at the World Show, but the first time she made the finals and placed. This seventh grader said that she was happy with her preliminary ride, but that she hit the log and explained that she stayed dressed even with a score of a 221 just in case she had to go back in the shootout round.
Taylor’s father, Jim Searles describes Ryder perfectly. “He is like Dennis the Menace. He is always in my pocket, and he is always trying to aggravate someone,” Jim says and laughs. “But, I have had him for nine years and I know he is a safe horse, and I trust him with my daughter.” (Photo © KC Montgomery)
The proud father continues,”It was really exciting to see her do so well. I’m emotional when all my customers do well, but it is a different feeling when its your daughter.”
Taylor says that she likes working with her parents as her trainers. “They are really honest and tell me like it is. They are hard on me at times but in the end, it always pays off.”
This talented young lady says that she would like to place higher and do well in her other favorite classes besides the Western Riding, including–Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Equitation. Taylor also wanted everyone to now that she was very grateful to have a special horse like Ryder, and wanted to thank her parents and for Katherine Tobin for letting her buy him.
KAYLEE RAMPEY
Eleven year-old Kaylee Rampey of Edmond, Oklahoma confirmed at the AQHYA World Show that riding and showing talent is in the Rampey family genes. Her mother, Kelley Watts Rampey grew up on the AQHA circuit and is a former AQHYA World Champion in the Hunter Hack, Working Hunter, and Jumping.
Kaylee made her AQHYA World Show debut this year with a top three placing in the Performance Halter Geldings with her all-around gelding, One Hot Amigo. This team was consistent with top five placings on all five judges cards. Already an accomplished rider, Kaylee also made the quarter finals in the Hunter Under Saddle and showed in the Hunter Hack. Next year, she plans to show in the all-around events including all the over fence classes. (Photo AQHA.com)
Kaylee says she loves Amigo. “He is spunky, playful, ornery, loves to be the center of attention, and he never does anything wrong. He also loves apples.”
When GoHorseShow asked Kaylee how she felt placing third at her first World Show, she smiled and said, “I was really happy and surprised. My parents were also very excited and screaming in the stands. Wayne (Halvorson) was also very excited for me and helped me at the show.”
Her father, Kyle Rampey, said that it was very nerve racking when they started calling the placings because there was another exhibitor close to his daughter’s number. “When we heard the other number called, we first thought it was her number and our heart dropped for a moment, but, then we realized that it wasn’t her. I was really proud and happy for her because she practiced so hard and I was glad all her work paid off.”
Kaylee said her favorite part of the Youth World was the Parade of States. Their theme had to do with time travel so she had the opportunity to dress up like an old lady which she thought was a lot of fun.
Surprisingly, Kaylee said that she would like to win the Youth World in the Trail not the jumping events like her mother. Kaylee says that Trail is her favorite class, and she enjoys the challenge of riding the pattern and executing all the obstacles. This talented rider also says she would like to become an all-around trainer and a pharmacist and work with medicine when she grows up. “I also enjoy my mom being my trainer because she can help me with my riding everyday.”
This fifth graders favorite classes in school are math and writing. Her mother Kelley says that showing horses is a godsend for her daughter. “Kaylee struggles in school with information processing. She has trouble processing verbal requests and acting on them. When she is riding horses, she is constantly being told information that she has to process and then apply it. Riding horses helps her with her school work, and it also gives her an outlet to thrive and achieve success.”
Kaylee’s father, Kyle adds, “I wasn’t raised showing in AQHA but I’m very impressed with the organization because it keeps kids out of trouble, and helps them with resume-building activities. I am also showing Amigo at the Amateur World, and Kaylee’s grandfather is showing him at the Select World. It is a great family oriented organization where people can show and do activities together with the whole family.”
SHEA GRAHAM
Nine year-old Shea Graham didn’t come home with a ribbon from Oklahoma City…this year. A fourth grader from Scottsdale, Arizona, Shea made her AQHYA World Show debut in an amazing six events. She showed in Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, and Western Riding. She also qualified in the barrel racing on Photons Silver Lace (Lacey), but her mother, Karen Graham wouldn’t let her show in the class since it was scheduled right before her hunter under saddle class. Maybe next year, Shea!
Shea loves horses, is passionate about riding and has been present at the Quarter Horses shows since she was a baby. This year, she was very busy showing two horses at the Youth World–Photons Silver Lace in the Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation and her other horse, Lets Talk About AOK (Al) in the remaining events.
“I love both my horses,” Shea said fondly when talking about her two friends. “They are so sweet and well-behaved. They are fun to play with. Al likes peppermints and Lacey likes Apples. My favorite classes are the Barrel Racing, Reining, Hunter Under Saddle and the Western Pleasure.”
Sounds like another all-around champion and trainer in the making!
While Graham didn’t place at the Youth World this year, her future goals are to place in the Top 10 at the Youth World and to become a horse trainer like her parents, Scott and Karen. “I want to figure out what the judges want and make sure my horses are good for me so I can make it back to the finals.”
Unlike most nine year olds, Shea gets up at 6 am before school to ride her horses. “I like my parents helping me because I get to ride early before the other customers, and I have my own private session. I love to walk out on the ranch and be around my horses all the time. I also enjoy showing at the big shows. My favorite show is the Congress, and I’m excited to get to show in the 11 and Under classes this year.”
Shea’s mom. Karen Graham, a leading trainer and AQHA judge, says that she is very proud of her daughter. “I was so impressed how she was able to handle showing in so many classes. She had so much fun, and she did so well in all her classes. She shows because she loves horses and loves to ride and for no other reason. We never have to push her because she is at the barn ready to ride before we even are–she wants to ride and do the training all herself.”
This proud mom also says she would like to thank all her friends and other trainers who have helped her daughter at the shows. “Charlie and Jason, and the Searles all help her. Shea usually watches and then asks if she can join in. I’m always joking with my friends and other trainers that I’m going to get a huge training bill after a show. But, seriously, I really appreciate everyone taking Shea under their wing and helping her.”
THE HALVORSON BOYS
It is an quite an understatement to say the Halvorson family of Guthrie, Oklahoma is competitive. The Halvorson boys are passionate about organized sports, and the family often competes on the AQHA circuit as well as in friendly sport games against each other.
Austin, 15, and Calyn, 11, recently were awarded Reserve World Champion trophies in halter classes at the AQHYA World Show. Their older sister, Lauren Halvorson, shows in the all-around events with Highpoint Performance Horses. Lauren is also on the NCAA equestrian team for Oklahoma State University. Their parents, Wayne and Rebecca Halvorson, are well-respected AQHA judges and founding members of the World Conformation Horse Association (WCHA). The family breed and show World Champion quality halter horses.
GoHorseShow caught up with these busy boys in between all their sports and AQHA activities to see about their World Show experience this year. We were very impressed with the manners and attitudes of these young men.
At the beginning of the interview, Austin, a sophomore in high school, immediately recalled the one time he beat his sister in halter at a weekend show. Of course, when his mother, Rebecca, heard about this declaration–she laughed and said that if she remembers correctly–Lauren showed a performance halter gelding in that class. Not exactly fair since the Halvorson boys usually show halter horses nice enough to win at the Congress and the World.
At the recent Youth World, Austin showed an outstanding two year-old Palomino gelding by Mr Yella Fella, Call Me Mr Yella, also known as “Dirk.” Austin explained that he was named after the 2010 NBA Champions Dallas Maverick star player, Dirk Nowitzski.
“My heart beat was beating a lot quicker this year,” Austin recalls when he talks about showing in his halter class. “I love the adrenaline rush of showing such a massive horse, and I think it is a lot of fun. My horse showed well in the class and was very well behaved for his age. He set up really fast and then didn’t move.”
Austin continues, “I like to give my older sister (Lauren) and younger brother (Calyn) a hard time when we show against each other, but it is all in fun. We always congratulate each other. I also enjoy my parents being my trainer in the halter because they always support us, know my limits and help me compete to the best of my abilities.”
Austin also enjoys being in leadership positions. He is currently the President of the Oklahoma Youth Quarter Horse Association and an AQHYA National Region 8 Director. This talented young man also plans to get back into roping and as far as career goals, he wants to become the orthopedic surgeon team doctor for the Dallas Cowboys!
When describing the younger Halvorson boy, “sports crazy” is an appropriate phrase to describe this multi-talented eleven year-old. Calyn wants to be a professional athlete when he grows up. He currently plays, football, basketball, baseball and also finds time to show horses. Calyn proudly tells us that his baseball league team was the State Champions where he played in several positions including catcher, pitcher, and short stop. In school, this fifth grader’s favorite subjects are Math and Bible.
At this World Show, Calyn was Reserve World Champions in the Three Year-Old Mares with LWR Play to Win and also placed sixth in the Aged Geldings with CE Cool Reflections.
“Both horses did great for me. They are both fun to show and that is the best the mare has done for me,” Calyn recalls. “She is really sweet and the aged gelding also set up perfectly and held his ears up the whole time.”
Calyn goes on to say, “I like my parents helping me with the halter because they have won the World, and they are really good at matching us with the right horses.”
Quite an observation from an eleven year-old.
Their mother, Rebecca, is very proud of her boys. When asked to describe her sons, Rebecca says that Austin is a little more laid back and likes to study and read, enjoys public speaking and politics; whereas, Calyn is always on the go and would stay outside 24-7 playing sports if his parents would let him. “We were so thrilled and excited that the boys did so well at the Youth World. They are pretty much successful in whatever they do,” she says. “Wayne and I were ecstatic and tickled that they were both Reserve World Champions. As long as they practice and start what they finish in all the activities they are involved in, then, we are one hundred percent supportive and try to do everything we can to help them succeed.”
DEANNA GREEN
How
would you like to show in your first AQHYA World Championship show and come
home with a Reserve World Championship title in Western Pleasure? That’s exactly what twelve year-old
Deanna Green of Richmond, Indiana did.
Deanna is the daughter of leading western pleasure trainer Rusty Green
and rode her trusty friend, Blazingmytroublesaway, also known as Buttercup.
Blazingmytroublesaway,
by Blazing Hot and out of Really In Trouble, was the 2010 NSBA Horse of the
Year. Her honor was richly deserved with over
$68,000 in futurity winnings, three NSBA World Champions, and three Congress
wins. Buttercup can now add a Reserve World Champion title to her record.
A seventh grader and cheerleader, Deanna tells GoHorseShow that she adores
Buttercup because, “She is really sweet and because she is a palomino. She
also loves treats and to be petted. I love everything about her.”Deanna
was thrilled with her rookie performance in Oklahoma City. “I was really
excited to just make the finals this year—that was a really big deal for
me,” Deanna tells GoHorseShow. “It was kinda scary that I had to show
three times in one day to make the finals, and then another time in the finals,
but she was really good the entire time.”
Deanna
remembers, “It was also really nerve racking to be sitting in the middle
of the arena when they were calling out the places. I got really excited when I
knew I made the top ten. I ended up holding Bree’s hand when they got down to
the final two. I started crying when I knew I was Reserve World Champion. When
I saw my parents, they were so proud. They were both crying too.”
Her
future plans are to try to win the Youth World and to show Buttercup in the
Western Riding. “She’s a little too green for me to show in the Western
Riding but I’m excited to get to show her in a new class real soon.”
Green
says she enjoys working with her dad as her trainer. “I have the
opportunity to ride a lot, and also I get to ride a lot of different types of
horses.”
According
to Rusty, her step-mom, Katie, and her mom, Deanna Green, Buttercup has a home
for life. She is qualified for the AQHA World in the Junior Western Pleasure
and Junior Western Riding. We look forward to seeing Deanna and Buttercup
debuting in the Western Riding next year!
KLAY MCDOWALL
At just 13 years old, Klay McDowall of Franktown, Colorado is a very polite and confident young man. When GoHorseShow interviewed him about his recent success at the AQHYA World Show, he ended every sentence and question with, “Yes Ma’am.” Also very impressive is his maturity and talent in the show ring. His father, Kelly McDowall, is an AQHA judge and a leading all-around trainer. His mother Marnie and younger sister, Claire, can also be seen in various events at the shows.
Klay told GoHorseShow that he has shown at the Youth World before, but he said this was his best year so far because he made the finals and placed in the Top Five. His 19 year-old horse, Naughty Zippo and Klay had an impressive finals run and were undoubtedly one of the crowd favorites. This duo ended up fifth in the Western Riding with a score of 219.5. They were also named the Intermediate Reserve Champions.
“I was really happy with my results, and I’m always worried about the lope pole, but Naughty saved me over the pole in the finals,” Klay said.
McDowall explained that Naughty loves treats–apples and carrots and enjoys sleeping a lot! “He also likes to escape from his stall. He is still young at heart and playful. I plan to show him and keep him as long as he lets me ride him,” Klay said.
“I grew up showing horses–so I love it! My favorite class is the Trail, with Western Riding a close second and Horsemanship is my third favorite to show in. My ultimate goal is to win the Youth World in the Trail.”
Klay said that he enjoys being a trainer’s kid and that it comes with perks. “I like to be able to talk to my parents about how my go or a class went over dinner. I’m very privileged that I get extra help.”
This Junior Honor Society member is highly involved with school and also plays basketball and track. “I plan to continue showing as a youth and also as an amateur and become a lawyer to support my showing.”
Smart Boy!
KAYLEE MELLOTT
First up in our series of up-and-coming riders is 14 year-old Kaylee Mellott. Her father, Jeff Mellott, is an AQHA judge and longtime trainer for Nancy Murfin Moxley and her family near Wichita, Kansas. Kaylee grew up in the horse show industry, and she and her horse, Dam Im Hot (Luci), proved in Oklahoma City that they are a future team to beat. Kaylee was a finalist in the Showmanship, 6th in the Horsemanship, and was 4th in Trail. She was also the Intermediate Champion in this challenging class. Fourth place is the highest Mellott has placed so far in her career at the AQHYA World Show.
“Being named Intermediate Champion in the Trail was extremely exciting, and I was so proud of Luci. Even though I did not receive a top-three trophy, earning the Intermediate trophy was just as exciting,” Kaylee tells GoHorseShow. “Competing at the Youth World is always a blast. I love seeing all of my friends and catching up with them. Also I love competing against everyone, since it is all ages. It gives me more of a challenge and I love that.”
This confident young lady says that Luci is a very challenging and exciting horse to ride. “She does require some extra work, but it is all worth it when we show because she always does her job. She has a very interesting personality and is really pretty with one blue eye,” Kaylee notes. “One thing about Luci is she has taught me so much and I don’t think I would be the rider I am without her.”
Kaylee says that working with her dad as her trainer is definitely a bonus. “This way we get to spend a lot of time together, and it has given us a stronger and closer relationship. He always encourages me to do my best and is always proud of me whether I make the finals or not. I know he always has my back.” Photo © Jeff Kirkbride
Kaylee’s dad, Jeff Mellott, says that he is very proud of his daughter. “She seems to have that special ability to turn it on in the show pen which is something you can’t teach,” Jeff proudly told GohorseShow. “She puts her time in throughout the year and rides all the time which I think helps her confidence in the show arena. She does most of the riding on her horse which I think also gives her an edge.”
Her future goals are probably just like every young rider—to win the Youth World. “It has always been my dream, and it would prove that all my hard work and dedication has paid off. I hope to keep showing for a very long time because I love it so much and I would be lost without it.”
When Kaylee grows up she said would like to build a riding academy for
people with disabilities and help them ride. She says she plans to
follow in her father’s footsteps…but just in a different arena.
