AQHYA World Champion and 2013 Miss Teen Arkansas, Abby Floyd recently competed in the Miss Teen USA competition at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Right before she headed to the Caribbean, Floyd showed in the halter at the 2013 AQHYA World Show with her two year-old mare, Candys Mirror Image, where she received a Reserve World Championship.
Floyd made it to the finals in the Miss Teen USA competition which was ultimately won by Miss Teen California. “It couldn’t have gone better,” Floyd told GoHorseShow about competing in Miss Teen USA. “I don’t have any regrets regarding the competition and how I performed. It was an amazing, once-in-a-life time, opportunity and I was honored to represent Arkansas. Making the Top 16 was such a blessing, and I was so grateful for being selected.”
The competition scored the girls in three separate events: evening gown, swimsuit, and interview. The preliminary contest included all 51 girls competing to make it back to the finals which took the top 16 girls. Then, during the finals competition, the top 16 competed again in evening gown and swimsuit.
The Arkansas native says there is a great deal in common between competing in pageants and showing horses.
“In both horse shows and pageants, you’re being judged and compared to others,” says Abby, who plans to attend college and major in broadcast journalism. “I’ve had to realize in both, that some days judges love you and some days they don’t. You can never let the outcome influence the person you are. A different day, a different set of judges, a different outcome, but they both require a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment.”
The high school senior says that she plans on taking a break from pageants to concentrate on her senior year of high school and college plans. Horse shows are also on the list! Floyd is currently showing, Hot And Dreamy in the western pleasure, Candys Mirror Image in the Two Year-Old Mares, Ms Coupe Deville in the Yearling Mares, and Hot Girly Girl in the non-pro western pleasure classes. Floyd is currently at the NSBA World competing in several events.
“I started showing when I was 11 years old and my career grew from there,” Floyd states. I absolutely love showing, and I plan on attending all the majors this year and continue with this passion of mine!”
GoHorseShow congratulates Abby on all her success in both arenas!
Photos © Miss Teen USA and Kelly Graphics
