“From that day on, he had always been my dream horse,” she says. “Theo is one of those horses that knows his job and knows when it’s time for business. He gives 110% every time I ride him.”

“The funny thing is we decided not to obsess about the rankings. We all made a pact to do our thing and focus on our own personal best at every show. None of us wanted the pressure of point chasing. That takes the fun out of why we really enjoy showing. In fact, my mom and Virginia didn’t even let me know that I was leading until after the Congress. That’s when we all sat down and looked at the points and said, ‘Wow, this might happen.'”

What convinced trainers and exhibitors to strap on helmets, sign injury releases, and mount up on some stubborn, but agile, donkeys? It was all for a good cause.

“I was asked to judge the first-ever AQHA show in South Africa, and, of course, while there, I took my first safari. That was all it took. Fast forward to 2018 and now having seven African countries and 19 trips to the continent under my belt, I know that my passion lies in Kenya.”