Regional Experiences are a great place to meet some of the future leaders of our industry.

Kaitlyn Bello of Weedsport, New York, completes the trail course on Lady Ann Mellow. Note the traffic in the background that the American Quarter Horse is ignoring while she concentrates on Kaitlyn's commands. (Journal photo)

Take Kaitlyn Bello, for example.

She’s 15, lives in Weedsport, New York, is fiercely competitive and can’t wait to check her skills against other youth at the 2009 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show.

She loves her mare, Lady Ann Mellow, and they’ve been working hard toward their Ford Youth World goal.

Kaitlyn would really like to be on an equestrian team in college. New York is a little cold in the winter, so Kaitlyn would like to attend Auburn University.

Funny thing is, I never met Kaitlyn in person, but I did get to talk to her dad, Don, who was more than happy to fill me in on exactly how wonderful his daughter is.

There are a lot of proud parents at the Region Five Experience. They have good reason to be. Their children are focusing on goals, achieving them and working hard to become better.

Don’t believe me? Just ask Don.

Larri Jo Starkey
The American Quarter Horse Journal

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Check out photos from the first day of the Region Five Experience. Click on the photos to see the captions. Some of the photos are available for purchase at the AQHA Photo Store.

Related Posts:

• Region Five Experience, Day Four
• Region Five Experience, Day Two
• Region Five Experience, Day Three
• 2009 Region Three Experience
• Among Friends Again