For Larken Elianna McCampbell, of Mableton, Georgia 2019 was a year to remember.

She and her show partner, The Next Big Hit (Andre), earned a circuit championship every time they competed. They were unanimous champions in Level 1 and Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle at the Lucky 7 Circuit. And, the pair ended the year as ninth in the nation in Level 1 Hunter Under Saddle in American Quarter Horse Association standings.

Larken, 18, teamed with the 17-hand bay gelding by The Next Detail and out of Sweet Details her freshman year in high school. But she has plenty of experience under her belt.

Larken was born into a family of horse enthusiasts. Her mother, Ginger, has always had horses.

“My mom is very knowledgeable and a very good equitation rider, which built my strong foundation in the class and sparked my love for it,” she said.

Larken’s first mount was a black pony named Black Beauty but she first competed in Lead Line on her brother’s horse, Bam-Bam. In eighth grade Larken started competing on the Mount Paran Christian School’s IEA team. It was at about that same time that Larken teamed with Twist N Sprout, a 2004 sorrel overo gelding she calls Saylor. With Saylor, Larken competed at 4-H shows and in American Paint Horse Association sanctioned shows. A 2009 brown OTTB by the name of KaisersMagicLady (Sophie), helped Larken break onto the AQHA circuit.

“She is such a special horse to me,” Larken said. “She is gorgeous, sweet and loves to please.”

With Sophie, Larken competed in all-breed shows and then at AQHA events. All those experiences helped build a foundation for Larken as she pushes herself to improve.

“The best feeling is getting better and accomplishing things you have been working toward,” she said. “Figuring out the mechanics of each horse and how to make it do what you want is so cool. I feel like I’m continuously learning more and more about horses and I never want to stop.”

Georgia trainer, Carmen Mayabb has played a big role in that progress.

“I have ridden with Carmen for two years now. Carmen had Andre for about a year and a half and did an amazing job with him in his Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation training,” she said

In addition to Circuit Championships at the Big A, Georgia On My Mind, Lucky 7 and SCQHA May Classic, Larken and Andre placed third in the L1 Youth Equitation and eighth in the L1 Youth Hunter Under Saddle at the Quarter Horse Congress last year. They are competing this year in Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle and L1 Youth and 14-18 Equitation.

A few months ago, Andre was sent to Ohio trainer Jessica Johnson to begin his over fences training.

“Jessica was highly recommended by many, and she stood out to us as a great fit for Andre,” Larken said. “She has done an amazing job with him already and I am excited to be training with her in the over fences and equitation because she is such an amazing and accomplished rider. I cannot wait to learn from her.”

Besides getting help from Johnson in Equitation, Larken will also start showing Andre in Youth Hunter Hack, Working Hunter and Equitation over fences. Johnson will be showing Andre in the Green Working Hunter and Senior Hunter Hack at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Show this month.

Meanwhile, Mayabb is getting Larken’s new Hunter Under Saddle partner ready. Unattended is a 17.3 hand sorrel gelding by Trade Rumors out of Blazing Her Way. He is being prepared for the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the Congress.

Although Larken works hard at her show career, she is equally dedicated to her academic studies. She graduated from Cumberland Christian School in Powder Springs, Georgia, with a 3.95 grade point average and served as class president her junior and senior years. She was also dual enrolled her senior year at Chattahoochee Technical College in Smryna, Georgia.

Larken plans to become a physical therapist and will attend Kennesaw State University where she will major in Exercise Science/Physics.

When she is not riding or studying, Larken enjoys spending time with friends and her family: mom, dad, Jeff; and brothers, Easton and Landon.

She said a lot of people would be surprised to learn that she was once a competitive dancer.

“My biggest strength was tap dancing and I did it from when I was 3 years old until I was 14,” she said. “I danced on a national level and held many national titles. I stopped to pursue my interest in riding.” 

            Youth Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a youth profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.