Thirteen year-old Clay Arrington of Graceville, Florida is well on his way to following in the footsteps of his very successful parents and grandparents. Clay’s grandmother is Vickie Kent, who along with her husband, Ronnie, own and operate RV Quarter Horses.
Vickie and Ronnie have won some of the top events in the industry
including, the Reichert Masters Two Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge
and AQHA World Championships. Clay’s parents, Christie and Ricky
Arrington, are also horse trainers, so he has had the amazing
opportunity to pursue his love and passion of horses through tremendous
support from his family.
The seventh grader had his biggest win yet this year at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Clay won the 12-14 Youth Trail with his grandmother’s horse, RV One Good Version (Vern), with a score of a 224.
“It was a pretty tough pattern, but I love trail because of the challenge,” Clay told GoHorseShow. “It was an awesome experience and Vern is a real fun horse to show.”
“He is a great kid,” says Vickie Kent about her grandson. “He is always willing to help and he never meets a stranger. He lives less than a mile away, so he loves to come over on his four wheeler to our house and help us ride the young horses. He has great manners and he really appreciates anything you do for him.”
Clay’s mother and father are also very proud of him. “Being his first year in 12-14, we were just hoping he would have a good pattern, but for him to win was unbelievable. It was great to see his hard work pay off,” his mother, Christie says. “He also made the finals in 12-14 Showmanship and 12-14 Western Pleasure. We couldn’t have done it without the help of Robin and Jenny Frid. It was definitely a great Congress!”
Clay is currently home-schooled through A Beka Christian Academy but he also has time to play baseball, basketball, and go hunting.
“Riding and showing horses is still at the top of my list though,” Clay says. “I love being home-schooled because I can travel more and make new friends all over the country. I don’t mind being one of the few boys that show in the youth classes. I love being around horses every day. I also am able to spend more time with my grandparents and parents at the shows, and I appreciate all the support. I would also like to thank my grandparents for the opportunity to ride such nice horses!”
His trainer, Robin Frid, also says that Clay is an outstanding young man. “Most people get to see his passion for riding and competition. However, they never see what a gracious and talented person he is beyond the show pen,” Robin Frid states. “Last week I was down visiting them and he drew me a picture free hand. I never knew he had that kind of talent as an artist. Jenny and I both enjoy every moment we get to spend with him. Christie and Ricky have done an amazing job raising him.”
Not surprisingly, Clay says he wants to be a horse trainer when he grows up. The newly crowned Congress winner says he is currently too busy with the horses to have a girlfriend. He has Vern nationally qualified in the Trail for the 2013 Youth World, but he is also working toward getting Vern’s full brother, One More RV Version, qualified in the Youth Trail as well. Clay and Vern also show in the pleasure, halter, showmanship, and horsemanship.
GoHorseShow asked Clay what he wanted for Christmas, and he said he just wanted a new belt to show in and some new horse show supplies because he was running low. A true horseman’s answer!
We wish Clay and his two horses the best of luck next year!
Click here to view RV Quarter Horse’s ad in the December issue of GoMag
Photo © Jeff Kirkbride
