Katelyn Wright, from Orangeville Ontario, is thirteen years old. She has just completed her third year of showing quarter horses. Katelyn currently attends Laurel Woods elementary school and is in grade 8. She has been showing Iron By Design (aka Drifter) for two years now and ended the year with many high point and reserve high point awards for Area 3.

Katelyn had many outstanding accomplishments this year including: Youth Performance ROM and res. High point novice youth at the novice show. Her Area 3 awards include: CHAMPION: Youth Western Horsemanship 13& under, Youth Hunter Under Saddle 13& under, Youth Western pleasure 13& under, Novice Youth Western Pleasure, and Youth Hunt Seat Equitation 13 & under. RES. CHAMPION: Youth showmanship 13& under. Katelyn trains with Lindsay Grice and her favourite event is Western Pleasure.

Her goals for next year are to be a competitive rider in western pleasure, equitation and hunter under saddle. Katelyn hopes to be a vet in the future. Her most embarrassing moment of showing was when she accidentally put her hat on backwards and a lady she didn’t even know helped to set things right. Katelyn is looking forward to October this year, she will be going down to experience the thrill we know as ‘Congress’ for the first time. Even as I conduct this interview, in September, she already has her 1st, 2nd, & 3rd shopping lists written out already.

Besides actually showing, Katelyn loves all the ‘horsey’ friends she has met both at the shows and at the barn. One memorable time this summer was going to Ilderton show with friends Caitlyn & Mackenzie, and sleeping in a tent. For me, watching Katelyn and her sister Michele enjoy both the show ring and their horse so much is a double joy. Our family was fortunate enough to have owned & shown Drifter prior to Katelyn, and I am thrilled to see how much they love him & care for him.

Congratulations Katelyn on a very successful year!