Kristy Rinzema is one of the most familiar faces seen at all the quarter horse shows throughout the summer. She has been riding her whole life, and has been competing since her early 'walk-jog' years. She has owned her 24-year-old mare, Miss Doc's Melody for four years, and shows her in Youth (14-18)Western Pleasure and Horsemanship classes. In 1998, her first year owning 'Melody', she won the Justin Rooke of the Year award!

Kristy is not the only member of the Rinzema family with an interest in horses. Training and showing have always been somewhat of a family affair. Her father, Bill Rinzema, does the training at their barn (Rinzema Quarter Horses), while Tracy (Mom) and Lucas (brother) are equally involved in the quarter horse scene.

Kristy is sixteen years old, and attends Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School in Peterborough, where she will start grade 11 this fall. Her favourite subject is music, and she plays the trumpet in the Wind Symphony band at her school. She isn't sure of what she'd like to do when she's older, but she plans on attending college after high school. Apart from music and riding, Kristy likes to read, and plays sports such as basketball and soccer in her spare time. She is currently working at Ottonabee TimberMart, a local hardware store in Keene Ontario where she lives. Kristy hopes to find a new horse to show next summer, and plans on being an all-round competitor. Her biggest goals for riding are to someday show at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, and possibly the Youth World Show.

Best of luck in the future Kristy!