The thing that fascinates Allie Stein about the Trail class is that even though the pattern is the same, every horse negotiating the obstacles makes it look different.

At 17, the Warren, Ohio native says showing horses is her life.

“Horses are a part of me,” she admits. “It’s in my blood and I would be lost if I wasn’t able to show.  It brings me closer to people that have the same interests as me.”

Stein is currently showing The Fancy Version (Reba), a 2006 bay mare by Vintage Version and out of Zip Fancy in Showmanship, Trail, Horsemanship and Equitation at American Quarter Horse Association shows, under the guidance of Dan and Darlene Trein.

“This year I am working really hard to improve my riding skills and become a better rider,” Stein says. “ I would love to go to attend a college where I can ride on a NCEA (national Collegiate Equestrian Association) team.”

Her passion for the Trail class was evident at the 2012 Quarter Horse Congress where she placed fourth in 12-14 Youth Trail aboard Perfect Selection, her first 14-18 youth show partner. She and “Seeker” also placed 12th in 12-14 Youth Horsemanship.

Stein qualified for the AQHA Youth World Show in Trail in 2013 and is nationally qualified this year in Showmanship, Horsemanship and Trail. She has twice competed in the National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT) at the Quarter Horse Congress.

Stein was about 3 years old when she started riding an old Paint gelding at her grandfather’s Standardbred farm and that’s where she says she fell in love with horses.

She started taking formal riding lessons at the age of 7 with a local trainer and competed at her first horse show at the age of 8.

She remembers her first big prize – an all-around Small Fry award in Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, aboard Lopin With Class. “I won a jacket and a plaque,” she recalls.

As a Novice Youth and 13 & Under Youth competitor, Stein has competed with Predictable Story, a 1992 sorrel gelding by Big Time Story out of Julie Bait.

“We did every class possible because I was novice in everything.  Including English and Western,” Stein explains.

She also had the opportunity to show Pass A Millun, a 2003 sorrel gelding by Barpassers Best and out of Bobbie Sue Millun, in western events, under the guidance of Judd and Jennifer Paul, Xenia, Ohio.

“I trained with them for a year and a half before moving to the Treins to be closer to home.” she says.

In the fall, Stein will be a senior at Champion High School in Warren, Ohio, where she has been an honor student and participated in the Robotics Club.

Her parents, Doug and Natalie Stein and sisters Carlie and Maddie all help take care of the family farm, which includes two Quarter Horse mares, two miniature horses, a donkey and a pig, in addition to cats and dogs.

When she is not helping out at home or at a horse show, Stein helps out at the family’s nursing home and does some modeling for a local photographer. She has served as a director for the Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association for two years and prior to that was the secretary for the Tri-State Quarter Horse Association for two years.

Stein says her dad is her hero because even though they may argue sometimes, he is always there to support her in everything she does.

“I look up to him and he makes me a better person,” she says.