NWHA Youth Insights!
Hello!!
I am Leighann Mintz from Leland NC. I am 7 years
old and I'm in the 2nd grade. I rode my first horse
when I was 4 years old during a near by horse sum-
mer camp. I have loved horses ever since. Aug of 2016
I started riding horses again for fun little did I know it
would develop into a deeper love.
March 2017 I competed in my first show. I loved it.
And the people were so nice. I made new friends.
At home I have one dog, one cat, and 6 fish. I hope
to own a horse soon. The horse I really want is Missy.
She is black and very nice I love riding her. When I
grow up I want to train horses and help people ride
horses like my friend Brittany.
Hello! My name is Victoria Byers-Keegan. I am 11 years
old, and I am from Stanardsville, Virginia. My parents are
Kari and Tommy Keegan, and I ride for Joe London Train-
ing, LLC. I attend United Christian Academy, and my fa-
vorite subject is reading. I also play for the middle school
girls' basketball team. I started riding horses when I was
very young, and I started out on a gaited pony named
Titan. My horse's name now is Gen's Royal Chip (Chip).
I just got him, and I love him. He is 10 years old. I am
planning to show him this year in All Day Pleasure. I also
show my Granny's Rocky Mountain in the juvenile moun-
tain horse classes. His name is Pay Dirt (P.D.). Along
with riding for Joe London, I participate in our county's
4-H equine club. I enjoy showing, trail riding, and going
camping with our horses. My favorite is showing because
it is fun and competitive. My family, especially my grand-
parents (Eddie and Brenda Byers) and my parents have
really influenced my love for horses. My trainer, Joe Lon-
don, has also influenced and taught me a lot! My goal as a
horsewoman is to attend college and then be Joe London's
apprentice. Eventually, I hope to follow in his footsteps
and be the next trainer for Joe London Training.
NWHA National News 34
Hi my name is Dakota
Hodgson. I live on a farm
in Orlean Virginia with my
Mom, my brother (Tristan),
and lots of animals. We
currently have 5 horses (2
TWHs, 1 SSH and 2 Frie-
sians). On my 11th birthday
I
was surprised with my TWH
"Tater Tot" (Nine Yards
Above & Beyond) from my
Mom and my Dad (who
passed away the month be-
fore my birthday). He's the
sorrel with the flaxan mane
& tail. The end of last show
season I got the chance to also ride and show Tonka" (Walk Like Mick Jagger) who belongs to
Tomi & Charlie Chittum. I hope to continue this season as Tonka's Youth Rider in addition
to showing my "Tater". I play on 3 competitive basketball teams throughout the year, and I'm
an Assistant Coach for a local Special Olympics Basketball Team. I'm on the Middle School
Varsity Cross Country Team, I play the Clarinet in the the school band, a NJHS member and
have maintained a 4.0 GPA since elementary school. When I grow up I plan to be a Flight
Medic and Smokejumper. I love going to horse shows with my horse show family and can't
wait for our first show this season.
My name is Madalyn Sines.
I am 10. I'm from Gnadenhutten
Ohio. I started riding last March.
I love all animals and want to be
a vet. My horse is Jewel Theifs
Choice. She is 15. She loves pep-
permints. She is a sweet girl. She is
also funny.
NWHA National News 35