His riding coach, Becky George says Domenick Heibing is one of those kids trainers beg for in a client. He has God-given talent that makes riding come naturally for the 11-year-old from Hockley, Texas. But he also absorbs everything you teach him, she says. Domenick is a third generation horseman. Both his parents, Tara and […]
Paul and Tami Thurston, of Tarboro, North Carolina, have had many successes over the years but it seems since the beginning they were destined to be together. Tami grew up in Ohio and developed a love for horses at a young age even though no one in her family had anything to do with them. […]
Cedar Springs Farm in Galatia, Illinois is not only home to the Barnes family, but it is also the center of a breeding operation, tax business, horse training operation and a family’s vision. Priscilla Barnes was familiar with farm life growing up. The only daughter of W.B. and Fern Pulliam, she was always fascinated by […]
He is the ex-bull rider, turned pleasure horse trainer out of Staunton, Virginia. He’s 32-year-old trainer, Lucas Cash. Born in Waynesboro, Virginia to parents Scott and Gail Cash, Lucas grew up in the horse industry. “My father showed from the time I can remember,” he says. Starting out as an amateur exhibitor, the elder Cash […]
It takes a dedicated individual to do the right thing, even when no one else is looking. It takes an empathetic individual to place the welfare of the horse above the desire to win. Clark Bradley is one of those individuals. Once a year, outstanding professional trainers who demonstrate character, integrity and stewardship in their […]
Nestled on a farm that’s been in the McAllister family for five generations, Tami and Garry McAllister hang their hats in Southbury, Connecticut. The McAllisters have both been horse enthusiasts for over 20 years — long before their horse training operation began. Both Garry and Tami were born into families that were involved with horses. […]
He’s only 32 years old but when Jay Starnes, of Summerton, South Carolina, walked out of the arena with a check for $50,000 for winning the 2013 Congress Masters Western Pleasure, it appears he walked into a place in history by becoming the first Western Pleasure rider to reach the $1 million in earnings mark. […]
Strictly Show Horses is the name of Adrienne Cober’s training operation, located in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. And, according to the Pennsylvania native, her life right now is “strictly business.” “I used to do some modeling and enjoying fishing but my situation is unique because I work full time for the Department of Corrections and train […]
It was Noelle Schmidt’s love for the Appaloosa breed that brought her Chocolatey, but it was her love for Chocolatey that brought her success. Born in Kinnelon, New Jersey, Schmidt, 45, remembers the call she received from Cecily Zuidema, of Micanopy, Florida in 2005 telling her about a beautiful, strong, weanling colt, by Hot Chocolate […]
For nearly her entire youth career, 17-year-old Megan Overberg’s partner in the American Quarter Horse Association show pen has been Invitation To Show, a 1996 brown gelding she calls “Little Bit.” During that time, most of Overberg’s friends and fellow competitors have changed horses once, twice and even three times. The Hillsboro, Ohio native readily […]
In both horse shows and pageants, judges evaluate contestants and compare them to others. They’re picking out things that set competitors apart and make them better than someone else. At 17, Abby Floyd is an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World and Reserve World Champion and in January she was crowned Miss Arkansas Teen […]
Olivia Hoecker is quick to tell you – Pine Meadow Quarter Horses is more than just a farm; it’s a family, a family of which she is extremely proud. Hoecker fell in love with horses at an early age but never dreamed she would own the successful operation she has literally built from the ground […]
