Valerie Grills, a youth member from Sutton, is one of Area 3's most competitive jumpers. She has owned her 11-year-old mare, General Tradition, for 6 years, and is currently in her 2nd year competing in Area 3. 'Starr' is Valerie's first horse, who she trains at Phoenix Equestrian Center in Aurora. She enjoys showing in all hunter classes, including equitation over fences and hunter hack. She loves going to all the shows, and says she will definitely be taking part in the Ontario Youth Team Challenge at Summerama in June. 

Valerie is 18 years old, and is in grade 12 at Markville Secondary School. Her favourite subject is English, and her plans for next year include attending Kemptville Equine Studies in the fall, a program to which she has recently been accepted. She says she isn't completely sure what she would like to do when she completes school, but she knows she would like to work with horses.

Valerie's goals for this season are just to continue to do well in her events, and see where her jumping takes her. Good luck, Valerie, and have a great show season!