YOUTH SPOTLIGHT - Tausha Hellyer by Christine Reid
Tausha Hellyer is one of Area 3's newest youth members. However, she is in no way unfamiliar with the quarter horse scene. Before she began showing quarter horses, over 7 years ago, she showed Welsh ponies at fairs and club shows, her first pony being 'Blanch'. Six years ago she purchased her thirteen-year-old gelding, Triple Scorcher, with whom she began competing at the quarter horse shows. Tausha and 'Bernie' have accomplished so much in the six years they have been together. They have competed at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio six times, showing in numerous events. There she has placed in the top 10 in equitation, and in the top five in trail! Tausha has been on the Ontario Congress Youth Team for the past five years. She has also qualified for the Youth Worlds, but has never gone.

As well as competing with Bernie, Tausha is currently working with her two-year-old mare, Trot Me a Treasure, and her five-year-old gelding, Phenomenal Zip ('Phil'). She plans on doing most of her competing this summer with Phil in hunter under saddle and showmanship classes. In addition, she'll probably continue to show Bernie in some events, and may bring her two-year-old to the Breeders Futurity later in the season.

Tausha is fourteen years old, and is in grade 9 at Center Dufferin High School in Shelborne, where her favourite subject is art. She moved to Shelborne last August, from her previous home in Waterford. She trains her horses herself, and when she's not training, she enjoys drawing and spending time with her freinds. Regarding the future, Tausha is interested in architecture, while she is also considering a horse-related career.

She has achieved her Performance Champion and her Supreme Champion awards, as well as having Superiors in horsemanship, equitation, showmanship and trail. At the OQHA banquet in January she was awarded high point 13 and under champion in showmanship, western riding, trail, horsemanship and equitation, as well as the all-round 13 and under award. She was also the open senior trail champion, plus the reserve in open western riding.

This summer, you can watch for Tausha in all 14-18 events. Best of Luck for 2002, Tausha, and welcome to Area 3!!