“When I got him, I told him my favorite class was Showmanship. He had never done it before, but I told him that it would be the easiest class he would ever do, because it involves no riding.”

We wondered if Dan and Rob ever feel intimidated competing with all the sophisticated, Select ladies with their sparkling outfits and singular talents. Rob jokes, “Yes! We can only look so good.”

“There are a lot of maneuvers, and that makes it challenging. I like to think that I like a challenge.”

“I thank God every day for the blessings, the horses, and the people I get to be around.”

Although Lydia has never come out at the top of the judges’ cards at a major event like the Congress, she’s well-known around the show grounds as one of the nicest and most appreciative young equestrians, always congratulating her fellow competitors. Now, it’s Lydia’s turn to be in the spotlight!

Competing against some horses nearly twice her age, Hazel is just three years old. Earlier this year, she won Junior Western Riding and BCF Limited 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the NSBA World Show.