When I talked to Sarah about this article, I asked her what her most memorable moments and experiences were in her youth career. Sarah told me: "As I look back on my youth career, I am filled with a sense of thankfulness for the opportunities that I have had, the remarkable people I have come to know and the special horses that have been in my life. I would love to thank my family for always being there for me, my coaches Lindsay Grice and Art O’Brien and the special friends I have made, especially Angela McRae." Sarah has been involved with Quarter horses for a number of years and has always been someone to watch in and out of the show ring.
Horses have always played a large role in Sarah’s life. Raised on a farm, riding was one of the first things she every tried. Prior to showing on the Quarter horse circuit, she participated in lead line and walk/jog at club shows. Sarah learned quite a bit from her first horse, Iron By Design which she showed in Novice Youth and Youth 13 & under. She then showed her mom’s horse, Generally Charming (Tye). Sarah and Tye worked hard and along with helpful coaching from her mom and working with Lindsay Grice, Sarah came home with numerous Area 3 and OQHA year-end awards and several AQHA all around awards. Sarah says, "More special than the awards, I discovered incredible friendships and unforgettable experiences that have etched a special place in my heart."
In 2004, Sarah was selected to represent Canada at the AQHA Youth World Cup in Dubbo, Australia. Sarah was thrilled, "I had never been on a plane before and now I was travelling 17 hours with all my English and Western tack and show clothing in tow! It was an experience of a lifetime - the fellowship of our team, the opportunity to spend two weeks with kids from all over the world (the Aussie’s are the friendliest people ever)! Another lifetime thrill was winning the gold medal in Hunter Under Saddle, and standing in the middle of the arena ‘down under’ and hearing the Canadian anthem being played - it was an experience I will never forget!"
In 2005, Sarah showed Hill of A Tabu (Bu). He was an incredibly special horse with a huge heart who taught Sarah the thrill of western riding. Sarah had no idea when she purchased the horse from Angela McRae, that it would be a beginning of a new friendship and a new found riding partner. Together, Sarah and Angela travelled to many shows in Ontario and the U.S. Bu and Sarah won several Area 3 and Ontario titles, as well as winning the Novice Youth Trail class at the regional show, along with other top ten placings. Sarah and Bu finished off their impressive year, travelling to the Quarter Horse Congress. Bu and Sarah made the finals in NYATT Horsemanship and placed 8th and 10th out of 146 in Novice Youth Western Riding, and then placed 5th in the AQHA limited rider division for showmanship. As they were celebrating their Congress success, life took a tragic turn and Bu was lost to a severe incidence of colic. Sarah said: "It was one of the hardest moments of my life and I am privileged to have had such an awesome horse. But as in the Garth Brooks song: ‘The Dance,’ “I am just glad I never knew how it would all end."
Sarah’s current horse, Good Lookin Dynamics is a 4 year old who came from Clare Roman. In addition to teaching him western riding this year, Sarah taught him the essence of showmanship, horsemanship and trail. Although green, he and Sarah had a couple of top ten placings at the regional show and also had more than respectable performances at the Congress.

Sarah, thank you for talking to me about your youth experiences. You have always been someone I have looked up to both in and out of the show ring. Your youth career was incredible, and we will continue to watch you show and learn from you. I know I am speaking for all Area 3 members when I say, “best of luck in your amateur career”.