This is only the second year the Youth World Show has offered 13 and under classes, which allows young competitors like 11-year-old Emma to compete against her peers of similar skill level and experience. Emma came to the Youth World for the first time last year, and although she’s won numerous Congress Championship titles, this is her first World Championship title. 

“I would say it’s a clean slate once I get to the finals. I’m happy and what happens is going to happen. I’m very confident in Lefty and myself, and I’m so excited to see what he can do, and what I can do, and I hope it goes well.”

“He’s 18 hands and I’m like 5’3″. It’s funny, because I’m the shortest member of our youth team, and he’s the tallest horse in the barn.”

“She’s my star child. It’s a whole different type of love, you know? She works really hard. Every single time, she gives 100%, even when she’s hurting or doesn’t want to be out there. She pushed me to work hard, because she works so hard.”

Trent is the returning champion with “Kate” from last year’s Youth World Show. The filly by He’s All That has grown up some over the past year, but she’s still the same sweet mare Trent fell in love with shortly after he started showing Halter horses in 2015.

“Her personality is very prima donna. She doesn’t like to get in trouble, and you always have to pet her. She does not do good with negative energy at all. You have to be relaxed and positive.”

It took a whopping nine hours, but the judges have finally determined that Caitlin Lyons and Olivia Frost are the winners of the Level 2 Showmanship, the first class here at the AQHA Youth World Show.