ACTHA Monthly | August 2015 | 10
6th Place Jr National
Elizabeth Middleton, age 15
Tiki, AQHA mare
Auburn, Alabama
Tiki and I have a wonderful partnership. She is the horse who gave me confidence when I was a beginner rider. However, she is aging and cannot jump or really do dressage anymore; but, she has a good mind and is well behaved. I wanted to be able to still compete with her and this is a great second career. ACTHA competitions give us something to do together for fun and to practice together. This way, we can keep enjoying our time with each other. It took me by total surprise that we had done so well because I was not in it to win, only to enjoy riding my horse in a discipline that she was now suited for. I have learned a lot while preparing for trail competitions and that has helped me in my other riding discipline. I enjoy spending time traveling to competitions and riding the trails with my family members who also compete in ACTHA. I am glad I have found a sport that allows me to enjoy time with everything I love all at once!
7th Place Junior National
Kiley Merritt, age 14
Rain, APHA Mare
Gainsville, Georgia
Rain and I first met at Dawson Forest; I was looking for a new horse. I fell in love with her the very minute I met her! I was about 8 years old, and she was seven. When I got her she and I started off riding trails all over Georgia. Throughout the years I started to wonder what Rain was really capable of so I decided to join a pony club and we began to practice jumping. After about two months, I figured out that Rain and I both didn't really like to jump as much as I thought we would. So WE decided to find something else that we could both do. That’s when we found ACTHA, and we were very excited about it! At my first ride I was both nervous and excited at the same time. At first I didn't know a lot about moving all five parts of the horse’s body, or desensitizing a horse, but after my first ride, I was eager to learn. It took a few months, but I finally got Rain to do what I asked. I have learned so much from ACTHA, and I hope to continue learning. Can't wait for all the wonderful and exciting ACTHA rides to come!
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Photo by Aponi
Top Ten Junior National Champions 2014-2015
Photo by Christine O'Conner