Photo Credit: Lisa Norwood
Some of the youngest competitors at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ are between 3 and 8 years old, but their knowledge far surpasses what you would expect for their ages. Leadline, a competitive class at horse shows, can be a lot of fun but also a bit arduous for all involved, including family members, horse show club members, fellow participants and trainers. The Leadline Horse Show class hosted by the Rodeo’s Paint Horse and Youth Horse Show committees is one of the cutest, most anticipated and most entertaining events. It features serious yet enthusiastic-to-the-point-of-almost-giddy future equestrians. Leadline lets them enjoy the thrill of showing in the arena and develop experience, confidence and poise while teasing their appetite for future equestrian pursuits.
During the event, the young competitors — dressed in fancy, colorful outfits and sitting on trustworthy and well-groomed horses fitted with polished tack — simultaneously ride the perimeter of NRG Arena. An experienced handler (aged 16+) leads each horse. Throughout the event, smiles abound. The competitor is judged on equitation, the proper position while mounted, seat, leg, and hand position (holding the reins), and to a lesser extent on poise. The children then line up in the center of the arena and interact with the judges, who gauge a competitor’s poise and manners by asking simple questions about the child or horse or asking for the child to maneuver the horse.
Hannah Haas, 3 years old, showed for the first time at the 2024 Show. She was led by her mom and trainer, Kelly, on her horse, Special Stingray, aka Stinger. When Hannah saw all the pretty horses, dazzling sequined outfits, make-up and nails, and fancy tack, she was hooked. Horsemanship is in her family’s DNA, dating back to her great-great-grandfather. “The dedication Hannah put forth was amazing to witness,” Kelly said, “Her new best friend, Stinger, had to be fed twice a day, their stall cleaned daily, and ridden three to four times a week to practice and stay in shape. She very quickly stepped up to these responsibilities and was excited to work towards her goal of showing her horse.”
“For a 3-year-old, that is a huge commitment, a lot of demanding work, and she did it all with a smile on her face,” Kelly said. Hannah and her mom will continue to train to show in the next classes.
Dads can be just as involved. Addilynn Bogie, 5 years old, had her dad, Brian, as her handler. The Bogie family does not have a history of horsemanship but developed a shared passion for it after a barn visit for Addilyn and her sister, Kinsley, which led to the purchase of Precious Shinin Angel, aka JLo. Addilynn started by learning the basics and practicing with her sister, mom, dad and barn friends, all under the watchful eye of her trainer. “She is a child with a personality like no other — silly, outgoing, determined, headstrong, and yet caring, loving and kind. These traits worked perfectly with her passion for training and connecting with JLo. She never gives up and is very smart. We are excited to see her growth as a nurturer and contestant,” Addilynn’s mom, Angela, said. Addilynn’s parents will continue to encourage her passion and commitment.
Savannah Blaskay, now 5 years old but showing since age 3, was led by her aunt, Lindsey McCracken, on her horse, Carl — a horse she trained and knew would provide a positive and safe experience. Katie, Savannah’s mom, enjoys the bond that their shared love for horses brings. The Blaskays are a “horse family,” having been around horses all their lives. Savannah’s grandmother, Anne McCracken, has an equestrian degree. Savannah’s journey started with a barn visit with her mom, who saw her enjoyment interacting with the horses, including feeding, watering and cleaning the stalls. Katie then bought Savannah a pony for Christmas and found a trainer who taught equitation as well as horse knowledge, health, tack and animal care.
“Horse riding is a tough but rewarding sport. It teaches patience, hard work, discipline, understanding, empathy, compassion and even humility sometimes. It had an impact on me as a child, and I hope it will for Savannah, too,” Katie said.
Brenna Szanyi, 4, participated in her second Show led by fellow horse show-team member Madison Jones. She rode a teammate’s Pony of America mare named Hunting for Silver, aka Hunter. Brenna has shown since the age of 18 months, perhaps younger, as her mom, Caitie, showed in Houston when six months pregnant with Brenna. She takes practicing seriously, riding daily, taking lessons, practicing on her two rocking horses and turning any opportunity, such as practicing with her dogs while on a leash, into a training session.
“My daughter is tenacious and can do a lot of things that other 4-year-olds cannot, simply because if I tell her no, she is determined to show me wrong,” Caitie said. “She catches her own pony in the field, grooms her pony, mounts, and rides her independently, all because, at one point, I told her she had to wait. Patience is a skill we are still learning.” Brenna hopes that by continuing her lessons, she will someday be as good a horsewoman as her mom.
The 2024 Show was the first for 4-year-old Decklyn Yerex, who was led by her trainer, David Lawrence. Decklyn rode her first horse at age 2. Her family has a legacy of horsemen dating back as far as 30 years. On the day of the show, it’s “all hand-on deck” for Decklyn’s family — dad grooms and saddles the horse, Mom helps her get dressed, Grandma gives words of encouragement, and her trainer warms her up. Decklyn placed first in one class and third in another. She loved the experience. “I had so much fun showing Wilson. When the judge asked me to back him up, I did!” Decklyn said.
“It is about the experience; she is simply happy to be on her horse, Wilson — who interestingly was born the same year and month as Decklyn,” Chandler, Decklyn’s mom, said. “She had a blast! What matters is the journey she had to get here, developing patience, responsibility of her horse, resilience, eagerness to learn, dedication and sheer determination.” Decklyn’s family will continue to encourage her and watch her grow not only as an equestrian but as a strong-minded and talented young lady.
The word “heartwarming” conveys the experience of seeing these young riders in the arena representing the future generation of competitors. The time, training, care and travel associated with leadline and the competition that ensues combine to make the event not only a family affair but also a family-building affair.