When I was four years old, my mom took me to my first riding lesson to our local barn where she kept her horse. Even at four years old, I fell in love with that horse and loved every second of it. I continued to take lessons for fun until I was seven years old. I started competing in open shows with my mom until I was about twelve. I then moved my way into AQHA shows at the end of 2018.

 

I currently show under the guidance of Genny Miller Performance Horses and compete in Horsemanship, Showmanship, Western Riding, and Hunt Seat Equitation with my horse "Good Krymsun" aka Louie. When we purchased Louie, we found out he was extremely sensitive to any contact at all and became a nervous wreck before any time he showed. Coming from a senior horse that knew everything and that was very dull was definitely challenging. Louie and I didn't understand how to communicate at all at first which got frustrating at times since it often affected us in the show pen. We started to develop as a team and learned to communicate in 2021. Our best decision was deciding to attend the All American Quarter Horse Congress in 2021. Some highlights I remember were when Louie and I were named the L1 14-18 Reserve All Around Congress Champions, Reserve L1 14-18 Showmanship  Congress Champions, 3rd Place 12-14 Horsemanship, and multiple more Tops 3s, Top 5s, and Top 10s. At the 2022 AQHA Level 1 Championships, we were the Bronze & 3rd Place Winners in the L1 14-18 Horsemanship and 2x Top 10s in Western Riding the the Equitation. 

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Being given the opportunity to ride on a NCAA Division 1 Equestrian Team would showcase all my hard work that I have put in with my horse. I believe that I would be an asset to the right collegiate team and I am passionate on finding the right one. Simply owning a horse is something I am beyond grateful for. Being able to show him as well has caused me to learn what commitment, patience, and what quality work ethnic is. AQHYA has truly shaped me into the person I am today.

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~Chloe' Smith