Sixteen-year-old Ava Hathaway, of Coldwater, Michigan knows all too well what a roller-coaster ride showing horses at the top level can be. She’s had her share of bumps along the way but staying focused, patient and determined she has also learned that there are just as many high points as there are lows.

Like many, Hathaway got her feet wet in the Small Fry Division with Hour Radical Valentine, a 2004 sorrel mare by The Radical Hour out of Rio Skippa Sally, competing in Showmanship, Horsemanship Trail and Western Pleasure. She snatched her first Quarter Horse Congress Championship in 2018 with KCees Cruise Missile, a 1998 bay gelding by KCees Lethal Weapon out of Timely Rumorz, winning the 11 & Under Youth Showmanship.

“It was extremely unexpected and a surreal moment for me,” she said. “Cruiser was truly a wonder-horse, as in 2018 we brought him out of a 10-year retirement to show in all- around events.”

And in the five years that followed, Hathaway has had the opportunity to show such decorated horses as Certainly On Sundi, Stop And Stare and Al Eyes On My Assets and Pure Lotto, to name a few.

But in 2001 she found herself on the hunt for a new show partner to carry her into the 14-18 Youth Division

And that’s where I Will Be A Good RV entered the picture.

Affectionately called Boo, the 2013 bay mare by Good I Will Be out of Ill Be Dun Won It, was owned by family friends, Richard and Betty Carr, of Bremen, Indiana and Richard Carr had been competing with her in Amateur Select Western Pleasure classes. Richard was on the hunt for a new show partner and thought Boo had the potential to become a successful all-around contender so they offered to lease her to Hathaway after the 2021 AQHA World Show and she was eventually purchased by Hathaway’s family.

“She really took to the all-around events naturally and we were really becoming a great team,” Hathaway explained.

Showing under the guidance of Beckey Schooler, Kyle Dougherty and Austin Lester at Beckeys Showplace/Showplace Farms, they headed off to the 2022 Congress feeling prepared and ready to compete in a myriad of youth classes.

Things were going well too. The new team placed third in Youth Horsemanship 12-14; fourth in Level 1 Youth Trail 14-18; fifth in Youth Western Pleasure 12-14 and then won a Congress Championship in Youth Equitation 12-14. But two days later Boo was rushed to Ohio State University where she was diagnosed with acute arytenoid chondritis, having an emergency tracheotomy, resulting in a temporary trach tube.

“It was a scary situation but thankfully, she was able to make a full recovery, coming back in April of last year,” Hathaway said. “While Boo was recovering, I got the opportunity to show Janet Egolf’s amazing horse, Perfectly Made (Chubb) in the all-around events. He is incredibly talented as well and I am so thankful for Janet allowing me the opportunity.”

With Boo fully recovered Hathaway eased back into the 2023 show season. By the time the AQHA Youth World Show rolled around they were getting back to full force. Together Boo and Hathaway placed 14th in 14-18 Level 3 Showmanship; fifth in 14-18 Level 2 Horsemanship; and 13th in 14-18 Level 2 Trail. Then, at the NSBA World Show they won the Novice Youth Western Riding and placed ninth in Youth Trail 14-18.

At the 2023 Congress Hathaway and Boo made a huge statement by capturing the Reserve Youth 15-18 All-Around title with a championship in Showmanship; a third place in Horsemanship;  fifth place in Equitation and a seventh place in Western Pleasure, plus a Reserve Championship in Level 1 Youth Western Riding.

“Boo fits the definition of a princess, and is definitely very loved,” Hathaway said.

She and Boo will continue to compete in Youth All-Around classes this year. In addition to her busy show schedule Hathaway is a junior at Bronson High School, and recently announced her commitment to attend the University of Georgia where she will be a part of the school’s Division 1 Equestrian Team. She is also very involved in sports at school where she runs cross country and plays basketball. The daughter of TJ and Joanna Hathaway, DVM, Ava also enjoys helping her mom whenever she can out in her veterinary clinic.

“I also really love spending time with my friends and family doing anything we can together,” she said. “Along with showing horses, I also show cattle with my brother, Aden, at a state level.”

Hathaway says she is most proud of earning Quarter Horse Congress, NSBA and AQHA World Show titles and two Reserve All-Around Youth titles at the Congress in the show pen but is as equally proud of her accolades outside the show arena. She has earned All State in Academics; Multiple District Championships in Basketball and Volleyball; MVP of her school’s Conference in Cross Country along with All State Cross Country Award. She also exhibited Reserve Market Beef Steer at the Michigan State Fair last year. 

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, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.