Barn Mates, Marla Leone and Macie Soderquist, Top APHA Youth World Novice Youth 14-18 Trail

By: Brittany Bevis

Two ladies from the same barn snagged the top, two spots this morning in Novice Youth 14-18 Trail. 17-year-old Marla Leone rode The Red Factor to win her first World Championship title. The Reserve Champion was her fellow Parks Show Horses barn mate, Macie Soderquist with Ima Mega Sensation.

This is Marla’s third World Championship Show. She’s been showing horses for five years, but just purchased a new horse, the stunning, 6-year-old, red roan gelding, The Red Factor, aka “Opie,” in January of this year. Already here at the show, she’s competed in Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Showmanship, and Halter under the guidance of her horse trainers, Carly Veldman Parks and Wade Parks.

“I really liked his lope overs in this pattern, but the gate was a challenge,” she says. “Also, the back through was kind of nerve-wracking, because I’ve definitely hit that spot many times before.”

Marla actually started out riding English, and that was her first love. Later on in the show, she will compete in Novice Youth Horsemanship and Youth Western Pleasure.

16-year-old Macie Soderquist has owned her horse, Mason, for a year and a half. Earlier at the show, this team were Reserve in 18 and Under Equitation and third in Novice Youth 14-18 Showmanship. She hasn’t been in the Parks Show Horses team that long. She just joined in September. Coming up next, she will compete in Novice and Youth Western Riding, Youth Western Horsemanship, and Youth Western Pleasure.

“It’s always really cool when two girls from the same barn can do well together. It’s super exciting!” Macie says. “Carly tells us that we should be confident because we’ve worked so hard to prepare, so we should go out and show it off.”

“I loved Mason’s lope overs. He has really pretty legs at the lope. I think we probably plussed those, and our turn in the box was actually pretty fast.”

Third was Catherine Goffard with Gallant Zippo. Fourth was Caitlyn Knight with Goodand Tite. Fifth was Megan McClain with I’m Saintsational.