What makes it an important show for the Arabian horse industry? Because it is leaving impressions on generations of future leaders of the Association. It is the time when the youth get to step up to the plate and compete, lead, and grow. At the other AHA Nationals, young kids don’t always get an opportunity to compete with people that are their age and skill level. So, when the kids attend Youth Nationals, it is about them and their challenges, successes, opportunities, and, like I said before, their personal growth as a person and as an equestrian. Anything else you’d like to add? I would just encourage the youth to get involved. If confused about the whole process, ask questions, and then after you figure it all out, help the next person. The biggest obstacle I faced was that I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but after the first meeting it made so much more sense. Another awesome point to keep in mind is that you get to meet other kids from across the country who love the Arabian horse as much as you do! The friendships you make and the personal growth that occurs far surpasses most of the experiences I have had in other organizations.
of the Arabian community has become part of who I am. The people in this industry are like a second family to me and I hope to one day help expand our industry and show more people what it has to offer. I believe the Arabian community has helped mold me into the person I am today; my biggest dreams have come true, and I have established relationships in it that will last a lifetime. Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to thank the Farni family for presenting me the opportunity to show their amazing horse, and my trainers Jessica Clinton DeSoto, Vicki Humphrey, and Gabriel DeSoto, without whom, none of this would be possible. Also, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and believed in me throughout my journey to becoming a National Champion.
Perfect Match:
Isabelle and Buddy
Something great to remember: “Life is short, youth is finite, and opportunities endless. Have you found the intersection of your passion and the potential for worldshaping positive impact? If you don’t have a great idea of your own, there are plenty of great teams that need you—unknown startups and established teams in giant companies alike.” ~Justin Rosenstein
Untimely Tragedy Even though one the most sought-after moments in showing horses is winning a National Championship, at Youth this year, this pinnacle was tarnished with great tragedy in the Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Equitation 14-17 Championship. For Emme Moore, this win was something dreamed of for years. Serving as the reason behind countless practice rides and frustrating times, riding out with roses in this incredible class would have been the fairytale ending to her already triumphant youth career. However, predictably perfect endings are often laced with the possibility of something going very wrong. And on this day, an extraordinary horse was caught on the wrong side of chance. For all connected to Hollywood Toi—the Lau family, trainers Vicki Humphrey, Jessica DeSoto, and Gabe DeSoto, as well as the Moore family—a great deal of sympathy is felt by all. A horse with a brilliant career that gave both Jenny Lau and Emme Moore amazing Saddle Seat wins, his is a memory that will live on for years to come. See In memoriam, 256AA & 257AA 258AAA | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Calling Isabelle May and Antonnio, aka Buddy, a perfect match is quite an understatement. Isabelle’s mother, Amanda, shares: “When Isabelle was 7 years old, she was invited through friends to the home of a very special stallion named Justify, to meet a three-day-old colt he had sired. It was a wonderful experience. She figured she never would see that little horse again, but she never forgot him. Until five years later, in 2012, she was at a local Arabian show and his owners recognized her. They told her that the little colt was now a gelding named Buddy and that he was there for his very first show. They asked if she would like to see him again. Of course she did! She got to peek at him in his stall and it was so much fun to see how big he had gotten and how much he had changed, but she still recognized his sweet face. Three months later, she was invited to return to their barn; this time to ride Buddy. After one ride, it was clear that these two were meant to be together. He ended up being her Christmas present that year—her very first horse and the best gift a little girl could ever dream of! They have a bond that is so special, and are truly a match made in heaven!”