“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Shakespeare may well have been talking about eight-year-old AjPHA competitor Cara Christensen of Pilot Point, Texas. The young rider is hoping her midsummer dreams come true as she begins competing at the AjPHA Youth World Championship on Wednesday, June 29th.
Cara Christensen, the daughter of industry lifers, Chad and Christi, will show her gelding, Slightly Fancy, a.k.a. Elmo in the walk-trot all-around events. “I love riding and showing Elmo, and I’m just so excited to go to the Paint World,” says Cara. Some of that excitement may stem from her recent wins at the Pinto World Championship Show recently held in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
According to Cara, she and Elmo took home wins in YA Walk-Trot Western Showmanship and YA Walk-Trot English Showmanship, along with YA Walk-Trot Western Pleasure and YA Novice Walk-Trot Western Pleasure. The young rider credits her success to her trusty partner, Elmo and the guidance of her family. Cara shows under the guidance of her dad, Chad and her uncle Shane of Christensen Show Horses.
“It means a lot to me to watch her show,” says Chad (pictured right with Cara). “She works hard, but she also has a great horse. Elmo has a lot of natural ability; he’s the kind of horse that wants to do it.” Before becoming Cara’s show partner, Chad had the gelding in training for owner Elaine Baker. When the opportunity to purchase the horse came around, Chad knew he’d be a perfect partner for his daughter. “He knows all the events, is so quiet and jogs really good. He’s a great horse to teach her all the events.”
Ask Cara’s mom, Christi, and she’ll tell you that Cara was born to ride. “It’s in her genes I think. When I look at her I see me all over again at that age. She lives and breathes horses. When we’re not at a show she lopes around the house and sets up water bottle patterns. It’s so cute to watch her.”
Christi (pictured left with Cara) is the farm and breeding manager at Highpoint Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas. Though she and Chad are divorced, they’ve remained great friends and seamlessly co-parent their only child. Christi says their relationship is one of the keys to Cara’s show ring success.
“Chad and I have both shown horses our whole lives and we’ve always been great friends. Some people may find it odd that we get along so well, but it’s what works for us.”
Christi adds that she and Chad live only 12 miles apart, which makes it easy for Cara to spend time with both of them, and to find time to ride.
“Chad and I both work in Pilot Point. Highpoint is literally around the corner from the barn he trains out of. Cara goes to school here, so it’s really good for both of us. With our jobs we’re able to take turns picking her up from school and getting her where she needs to be,” says Christi.
Like most kids her age Cara is involved in several activities aside from horses. “I do cheer and dance,” says Cara. Christi adds that on the weeknights they balance between cheer, dance, and riding. Weekends are devoted to one activity and somehow the family makes it all work, despite both Chad and Christi’s demanding careers.
At Highpoint, Christi manages much of the operation’s day-to-day activity, which in 2016, included managing six top stallions and breeding over 700 mares. “I oversee the entire ranch; I manage the breeding and do all the vet appointments, orders, payroll, and billing,” says Christi, nonchalantly.
Despite her very busy schedule, Christi finds time to show alongside her daughter. They recently competed together at the Pinto World where Christi brought home a win in the Amateur Novice Ideal Pinto English with APHA stallion I Got Em Talkin (pictured below). She also shows Sleek Sensation in the APHA all-around division, along with owning several AQHA and APHA futurity horses.
Given Christi’s love for the horse industry, it means a lot to watch her daughter follow in her footsteps. Christi began showing horses at age seven. But, for her, the road to success wasn’t as straight as Cara’s has been.
“Back when I started showing we didn’t have the fancy clothes, trainers, and the well-broke horses that Cara has now. “I started out as a horse kid with parents who knew nothing about the industry. So, she certainly has an advantage. Chad and I have been through ropes. Cara has a great horse and has parents that know how to tell her to change something and when she looks good or doesn’t. She’s fortunate in that, for us, there’s no learning curve.”
For Chad, and like many other trainer-parents, coaching his daughter doesn’t always come easy. It gets a little stressful sometimes with the child and parent dynamic. That’s one reason it’s so good to have Shane. He can sometimes help her easier than I can.”
It’s clear that young Cara appreciates her parent’s help. When asked what it’s like showing under the guidance of her dad and uncle, Cara says she couldn’t imagine working with anyone else. “It’s amazing because they’re always there for me and help me with anything I need. They always want me to do my best and have fun.”
This week at the AjPHA World Show, fun is the number one priority, as it should be for all walk-trot competitors. Though Chad does hope that Cara and Elmo can achieve their goals. “I hope she does well in all of the pattern classes. She works really hard and I’d love to see her win the all-around for her division.”
Cara and Slightly Fancy will be competing in the all-around Walk-Trot 10 & Under Division. Apart from her individual classes, Cara says she hopes to do well in the team tournament where she’ll be representing Oklahoma’s youth association.
The camaraderie that develops between competitors is a highlight for Christi who loves watching the relationships that develop. She shares, “There are several kids that Cara looks up to in the industry, and it’s great to see them give back by spending time with kids Cara’s age.”
Cara adds, “It’s just so fun going to shows. I love riding Elmo and I have fun showing, but I also like meeting new friends and having people to learn from.”
According to Christi, Cara’s favorite competitor is Alli Fink. “Alli is 18, but she always takes the time to talk to Cara, and show her the ropes. It’s cool to see an older youth give attention t
o someone just getting started.” That sense of community is what keeps an industry going. As Cara sets off to pursue her goals at this year’s AjPHA World Show, she’s sure to be in for a week of fun, friendship, and memory making.
Ten years from now, Cara Christensen will likely be the one showing a young competitor the ropes, continuing a tradition that makes growing up in the horse industry so uniquely special.
CLICK HERE to view Cara’s ad in the June issue of GoMag
