From different countries, two American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup competitors call the same woman “Grandma.”

Reed Kyle of Team USA won gold and silver medals in cutting and a bronze medal in reining at the Youth World Cup.

By Tara Christiansen

The 2010 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup was the first time that Donna Cocks had ever seen her granddaughter show a horse. Lucky for Donna, her first time also happened to be when her granddaughter, Jessie Leach of Team United Kingdom, won a silver medal in showmanship.

“It was wonderful,” Donna of Whitesboro, Texas, says of Jessie’s accomplishment. “She was so thrilled, too.” Jessie also won a bronze medal in the horsemanship showcase.

Jessie isn’t Donna’s only grandchild to take home Youth World Cup honors. Donna’s grandson, Reed Kyle of Team USA, won a gold and silver medal in cutting and a bronze medal in reining.

“Isn’t that amazing? Two different countries? And they’ve both done so well,” she says. “I don’t think there are many other grandmas out there that can say they have grandkids on two different teams.”

Reed’s mother, Tamra, is a sister to Jessie’s mother, Christy. Tamra and Christy passed their love of horses, which they inherited from Donna, on to their own children.

Originally from Arizona, Tamra grew up competing in western events, whereas Christy showed hunter jumpers.

Showmanship is one of the most popular classes at AQHA shows. AQHA’s “Showmanship at Halter” DVD will give you the knowledge and tools you need to be a successful competitor.

Years went by and Christy moved to California, where she met her husband, and the couple moved back to his home, across the pond.

Now Christy and Tamra’s children have met up in an international competition. As for Donna, she’s grateful that Jessie and Reed don’t compete in the same disciplines – this is one grandma who won’t have to pick sides.

Find out how Jessie and Reed placed at the 2010 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, along with all of the other youth competitors.

The American Quarter Horse Journal was in Oklahoma City for the Youth World Cup’s online coverage. Check out the slide show below (click on each photo to see the caption).