To say that eight year-old Violet Shetler is a good rider is quite an understatement. Even at such a young age, the Pennsylvania third grader has the show presence and confidence of riders twice her age. In just her first year out of Small Fry, young Violet won the Novice 13 and Under Showmanship besting 76 other exhibitors, most of them much older than her, with her pretty five year-old mare, Flaunting Her Assets, (Sassy).
“It was really cute to watch her reaction when she won, ” says Violet’s mother, Melissa, who runs Circle M Training Center in Pennsylvania. “Violet kept looking around the ring when they were calling out placings but finally no one was left. I didn’t see it coming and I am so proud of her success. She has been so calm and collected at the show. She is also hardworking and gracious and is always rooting for her friends and exhibits great sportsmanship.”
Violet tells us that Sassy was a three year-old that didn’t know how to lead when she first got her two years ago. She gave us a rundown on what she thought about their performance in her showmanship class. “I thought my finals go was a lot better than my first one,” the shy and adorable little girl told GoHorseShow at the Congress on Wednesday evening. “My first set up was kind of slow, but I really liked my final go.”
With a first, second, and fourth in her showmanship class, Violet and Sassy obviously impressed the judges. Shetler also showed her 18 year-old reliable mount, Mister Awetabulous (Tab) in several events at the Congress (pictured left). Violet has had Tab ever since she was three years-old. This veteran team placed fifth in the 11 & Under and Novice 13 & Under Hunter Under Saddle; sixth in the Novice 13 & Under Equitation and 9th in the 11 & Under Equitation. The duo also made the finals of the 13 & Under Novice Western Pleasure.
“I don’t show Tab in the showmanship because he cribs and bites and that is not his favorite class,” Violet says, whose favorite subject in school is Art. “The Congress is my favorite show and I love everything about horses and showing. My favorite classes are the hunter under saddle, equitation, horsemanship, and western riding. “
Shetler is currently Top 5 in the Rookie of the Year standings and recently received her superior in the hunter under saddle. Violet’s mother says that Violet is a “barn rat” and has been going to the barn ever since she was born.
Not surprisingly, she wants to be a trainer like her mother when she grows up. “I have to drag her out of the barn everyday,” Melissa states. “It won’t be too long before she will be catch riding for me.”
Violet’s future goals is to show at the AQHYA World Show next year where she is qualified in the showmanship and hunter under saddle and also to start showing Sassy in some riding events. We have a feeling this is not the last time you will hear Violet’s name called at a big show.
CLICK HERE to view Violet’s ad in the Congress issue of GoMag.
