Youth Spotlight
Keegan O’Brien
Keegan O’Brien is a seventeen year old from East Troy, Wisconsin who has been riding since
she was five years old. She competed at the 2013 IALHA National Show with Dulcineya and
Diva G. Her favorite discipline is dressage and we look forward to seeing her show for years to
come!
Q: Was this your first time attending the IALHA National Show? If not, how
many times have you attended?
A: Yes this was the first time I was able to attend the IALHA National Horse Show!
Q: What was your favorite moment of this year’s National Show?
A: My favorite moment definitely would have been when I rode in the exhibition on Saturday night. I was so nervous, I
didn’t really know what the crowd would be expecting but when the music started and we entered the ring that’s all I could
do was smile, it was so much fun and the crowd helped me so much to get over my fear and enjoy the moment!
Q: Who is your favorite horse? Why?
A: My favorite horse is without a doubt Dulcineya. She is such a hard worker and she tries so hard. Once she realized that
she could trust me I truly felt that she would have done anything I would have asked her to. She helped me so much to get
over some of my show ring fears, and it was so fun to help her to be her very best!
Q: Is it hard for you to find a balance between riding and school? How often do you get to ride during
the school year?
A: I have been so lucky
normal days work out
10
with school, my parents have allowed me to be Home-schooled for high school, so my
pretty well. I meet with my tutor in the morning, and I’m typically in the saddle right