Age: 19.

Parents: Todd and Pam Delagrange.

Hometown: Woodburn, Indiana.

Education: Graduated from Leo High School in 2018; attending Indiana University in Fort Wayne. After 1.5 years in pre-med I switched my major to nursing.

Occupation: I am just now starting a position in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Parkview Regional Medical Center as a Patient Care Technician. My main duties will be to feed newborns, take their vitals, and complete other tasks to care for the babies and provide support to their families while allowing the nurses to focus on more technical tasks.

How I got involved with horses: My family decided to get out of horses and I convinced them to keep the 20-some- year-old chestnut gelding for me to learn how to ride on (if you count riding bareback and bridleless in a bathing suit around the pasture as riding). He was a saint and always took care of my friends and I when we’d ride him double or braid his mane for hours on end.

Trainers: Ty and Karen Hornick.

Current show partner(s): I am showing RL Sudden Melody in Amateur Western Pleasure, Limited Non-Pro Maturity Western Pleasure, Novice Amateur Horsemanship and Amateur Performance Geldings at all the majors. I’m also showing Shell Have a Double, a 2017 AQHA/APHA sorrel mare by The Rock and out of Jackie Goodbar, in 3-year-old classes.

Biggest Prize: Winning the 14-18 Western Pleasure at the AQHA Level 1 East Championship with Money In Tha Bank. I will never forget the feeling of taking my first victory lap and having that coveted neck ribbon placed around my horse’s neck.

Interests outside the show pen: When I am not riding, I most enjoy spending time with my dog. This often includes taking naps after I get home from class, as this is his favorite activity as well. I also enjoy watching movies with my family, going out to dinner with friends and working out with my boyfriend.

My motivation: My biggest motivation to show is to just be the best that my horse and I can be. Instead of worrying about how I am going to place, I am most happy when I feel that my horse has given me his all and I enjoyed the ride that we were able to show the judges. Every ride I hope to be a better rider and be more connected to my horse. I also look forward to challenging both my horse and myself as we begin to compete in other events, such as the Horsemanship.

Biggest influence in my show career: my trainer, Karen Hornick. I not only admire her vast success in the showpen having earned countless World and Congress Championships, but the way that she radiates positivity and shows love toward everyone she encounters is truly contagious.

Life’s goals: To always encourage others, continue to improve upon myself as both a rider and a person, and to keep my relationships with family, friends and God close.