Gavin Patterson and She Will Be Hot may not be household names quite yet, but the 17-year-old Ohio native and his four-year-old mare are on a path to change that. Gavin and his gorgeous chestnut “Adele” are not only qualified for the AQHYA Youth World in the western pleasure and performance halter mares, they are currently leading the nation in the youth western pleasure. Their success has been steady and consistent and the industry has embraced these two fresh faces.
Gavin and Adele’s success has been steady and consistent throughout the year. Despite their new found stardom, Gavin has been paving this path since childhood. When he was six-years-old, he begged his cousin, Brandi, to let him ride a horse at the barn where she was working. Gavin recalls that he rode the horse while it was on a longe line and he has been in love ever since.
His love for showing quarter horses started when he was nine. His first quarter horse was named Im Sweet And Lucky and was his 11 and under pleasure horse. “He was the perfect horse for a kid because he just packed me around and taught me how to ride,” Gavin fondly rem
embers.
“I love everything about showing horses,” Gavin told us. “I love the hurry up and wait game and the late nights. I love how you have to form a bond with your animal to be successful. I also love the people in our barn and in the industry.”
Now under the guidance of Ty and Karen Hornick, Gavin speaks comfortably about the respect and admiration he has for the Hornicks.
“Working with Karen Hornick is honestly just a dream come true. Growing up in the western pleasure industry, I’ve always looked up to them and now to be in the barn is just amazing,” Gavin says. “Karen is one of the sweetest people I know. She’s so nice and has such a positive vibe. She teaches you how to not only show your horse but to be comfortable and know how to fix anything that happens. Team Hornick is just a great group to be around. They get work done, but at the same 
time have a fun time doing it.” (Gavin and Adele pictured left with barn mate Kylee Wiseman and Bestseatnthehouse)
Gavin bought his new horse, She Will Be Hot, at the beginning of the year from Ohio trainer, Jennifer Stein. “From the very start, we just clicked. I feel so comfortable on her and I am able to put a lot of confidence in her. I believe team chemistry is a key and we have it.”
Gavin’s fondness and respect for Adele are evident in how he speaks of her. “She is just a big princess and she loves to be loved on and loves attention. She’s one of the happiest horses I’ve ever ridden. She always has her ears up and is happy to do her job.”
Gavin and Adele were recently circuit champions at the Indy Circuit in New Castle and added 14 youth pleasure points with four firsts and two seconds in Findlay. They plan to take this momentum into Oklahoma City where they will compete in their first AQHYA World Show.
“My thoughts going to the youth world are to have the best ride we can possibly have. This is both Adele and my first youth world and with her being only four and just now getting into a new barn, our goal is to do the best we can do and hope for the best.”
Gavin is also looking ahead to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress held in his home state, and to the future. “I look forward to doing well this year and finishing out my youth career next year and continue on into the amateur division,” Gavin states. “I also would like to attend Ohio State University because it’s close to home and close to Ty and Karen’s place.”
While his parents aren’t really involved with the horse industry, they still support him and his hobby. “They love that I have found something that I am successful at and at the same time love doing it.”
GoHorseShow wishes Gavin and Adele the best of luck at the upcoming AQHYA World Show and Congress.
CLICK HERE to view his ad in the July issue of GoMag.
