Settle is not a word in Liv Jillian Winter’s vocabulary. She may only be 14 years old but when it comes to showing horses, she is mature beyond her years.

“My connection to horses runs deeper than just a hobby,” she explained. “It’s the heartbeat of my family, the thread that ties three generations together and the foundation of countless memories that have shaped who I am.”

The Michigan youth competitor will put all her hard work, dedication and determination to the test next month when she competes again at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Championship Show in Oklahoma City.

“It is, without a doubt, my favorite show of the year,” Liv said. “It’s where the best youth riders from around the world come together for a shot at taking home a globe – one of the highest honors in our sport. The energy is absolutely electric, and the level of talent is unmatched.”

For Liv, what makes it so special is everything that leads up to it – the long hours of preparation, the hard work, the dedication, and the drive to be your very best when you step into that arena.

“It’s the kind of challenge I live for, and I can’t wait to give it my all again this year,” she said.

This year, Liv will compete with Miss Dark Sparkle in 14-18 Horsemanship, Equitation and Showmanship. She is showing We The North in 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle.

She is no stranger to the AQHA Youth World Show. In 2021, at just 11 years old, she competed there for the first time with Diggin Hot Time, winning the Level 1 Equitation, and capturing a Reserve World Championship in the Level 3 13 & Under Equitation.

“It was a time that I will never forget,” she said.

Liv’s journey to success has been marked by hard work and determination, plus a lot of natural ability.

“It all began with my Aunt Courtney who was the one that started it all for our family,” Liv explained. “Then, at the age of 7, her cousin, Adam Winter found himself drawn to horses as well. Adam dedicated his heart and soul to learning the craft, and by the age of 19, he had achieved what many only dream of – he became a professional horse trainer.”

It wasn’t just a job to Adam. It was his life’s purpose, a dream he turned into reality through unwavering dedication and hard work. Alongside his wife Sheyenne, Adam owns and operate Winter Performance Horses in Zeeland, Michigan.

Every ride, every challenge, every triumph is a tribute to the passion that started with Courtney, grew through Adam, and now lives on in Liv.

“Liv is the kind of rider a coach can only hope for,” he said. “She is passionate, motivated and doesn’t settle. She is very hard on herself. Liv is never afraid to put in the hours or make tough adjustments to become a better horseman.”

But it’s been a journey. In the fall of 2017, when she was just seven years old and under Adam’s watchful eye and with Courtney’s encouragement, Liv entered her very first show on Courtney’s horse, A Diggin Hot Time (Wilson), a 2006 chestnut gelding sired by Hot Diggity Joe out of Boston Scotch And Rocks.

“When I started showing, something just clicked. I fell in love with every part of it – the excitement of getting all dressed up, having my makeup done, and stepping into the show pen ready to give it my all,” she explained. “That’s when I realized this wasn’t just something I liked – it was a true passion, something I knew I wanted to keep chasing for years to come.

Since that first show, Liv has never looked back.

“For seven years I had the great honor to ride Wilson,” she said. “Wilson’s eyes could tell 1,000 stories and embodied the gentleness of his soul. One look at them and you knew what he was made of…unconditional love.”

Wilson is the horse that started it all for Liv and changed her life forever. She competed with him in Horsemanship, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail and Showmanship from 2017 to 2023.

“Our last ride together was in 2023 at the Quarter Horse Congress,” she explained. “He gave everything he had that day and executed the pattern perfectly, but for the first time ever, I missed my diagonal and we were disqualified.”

Liv was absolutely devastated that it ended that way. Why? she asked herself.

“I realized later that the trophies come and go; the ribbons get hung or  stored; but it’s moments like these that change a person,” she said. “It’s what I learn in the valleys that give me enough strength to get me to the next mountain top. Why did I miss my diagonal on my very last ride with him? I think he wanted to remind me to appreciate every ride, to remain humble, and never forget that with success, there must be failure.”

And there was plenty of success along the way. In addition to their success together at the AQHA Youth World Shows, Liv and Diggin Hot Time earned many Quarter Horse Congress accolades, including being named Small Fry All-Around Champions in 2019.

Then, in 2023, Miss Dark Sparkle (Clover), a 2014 mare by Dress Western, out of Sparkling In The Dark,  came along.

“In every horse girl’s life, you connect with a horse you will remember forever,” Liv said. “I was lucky enough to find that at 13 years old.”

At the time, Wilson was being prepared for the Youth World but there had been talks about the time coming when Wilson would be retired. Clover was in the Winter program. Her owner had decided to take a break from showing and offer her for sale. Adam Winter had Liv show her at the Big A Circuit to help her get marketed.

“I didn’t think much of it at first, but the moment I rode her, I knew something was different,” Liv explained. “I completely fell in love with her.”

During that week people would ask Adam to try her out.

“One family loved her, but I knew I couldn’t let her go,” Liv recalled. “I called my parents almost in tears, later that day Adam told me she had sold. I was devastated but, the next day my parents called and told me we purchased Clover.”

Liv’s team feels Clover is the perfect horse to successfully carry her into the 14-18 Youth Division. A lot of that belief stems from the fact that they have such a strong connection.

“I think one of things Liv does and doesn’t realize is she creates a very great connection between her and the horse she is showing,” Adam said. “The horses she has shown over the years they all love her. She is also very blessed that riding comes natural to her. She has a great amount of feel when it comes to riding. She is fiercely determined, adaptable, and able to perform when stakes are high.”

In addition to Clover, Liv has been building a relationship with We The North, a 2019 bay gelding sired by Hot N Blazing out of Invitd For Romance, owned by Sheyenne. Together they have been showing in Youth Hunter Under Saddle classes. Liv and Sheyenne have a close relationship.

“Shey is always there for me, no matter what, she explained. “She’s the person I know I can count on through every high and low. She’s always in my corner, cheering me on, supporting me, and celebrating every little win right alongside me. What makes her so special is the way she brings such a calm, steady presence, even in the most stressful situations. She just gets me in a way that not many people do, and I’m so thankful to have her by my side every step of the way.”

In fact, Liv credits Sheyenne and Adam with all of her success and says she would not be the competitor she is today without them.

“Adam is more than just my trainer,” she said. “He’s my cousin, my mentor, and truly one of my very best friends. I could never fully put into words how much I admire him and how grateful I am for the impact he’s had on my life. Adam has taught me so much more than how to show horses. Through every win and every setback, he’s taught me about perseverance, character, and what it really means to work for something you love.”

The lessons don’t end inside the show arena.

“Adam  pushes me to be better every single day,” Liv said. “He challenges me to dig deeper, believe in myself and keep going even when things get tough. The best part is, he sees potential in me long before I see it in myself. His training program is not easy. It demands focus, dedication, and heart. But because of him, I’ve learned that I’m capable of far more than I ever imagined.

When she is not busy riding or at a show, Liv stays busy with school work. She is a student at Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch, Michigan. She will graduate in  2028.

And family, as is obvious, is very important to her. That includes her parents, Bob and Jenny Winter; her brother, Lane; grandparents Pete and Peggy Winter and Randy and Sherry Barber; aunts, Courtney and Judy.

“When I’m not in the arena showing horses, I’m usually thinking about it,” Liv said. “It’s something that’s always on my mind honestly. But showing isn’t the only thing that keeps me busy. I work two jobs and I’ve learned the value of hard work and responsibility from a young age.”

When she does have free time, she enjoys making memories with her friends and family.

“Whether it’s a country music concert, a day at the lake, or just hanging out,” she said. “I know it’s important to enjoy the little moments with people who mean the most to me.”