Favorite Quote: “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”
Hunter/Jumper Meghan MacLaughlin, age 16, faced an enormous challenge when her lease horse of two and a half years went lame and her show plans were uprooted. As her horses changed over the next six months, she felt her riding and confidence going backward. Then she found Savoire Faire, a Trakhener and Morgan mix that she now leads and had to start completely over in her riding, not jumping or showing for months. Meghan said there were many times when she was so close to quitting, but didn’t. “Because of my dedication I am now extremely happy with my riding and constantly improving with my showing,” she said.
Meghan was nominated by her grandmother Roberta Rohwer who gifted her horseback riding lessons as a Christmas present when she was five years old. Wanting to giver her the gift of experiences over toys, she had no idea what it would mean to her. Today she rides at least 6 days a week, is co--president of her riding school’s ShowTeam group, gives lessons to young riders, assists where needed around the facility, and teaches at their summer camps. Roberta shares that Meghan has learned all she can about horses, their care, their treatment when ill, their differences and their abilities, helping the farrier when she can as well as medication disbursement.
Roberta said, “While ribbons and compliments are nice... it is my belief that Meghan is exactly the sort of young rider that your organization wishes to acknowledge. She is a shining example of what life can be when it has been completely dedicated to the love of horses.” Meghan’s recent success working with trainers Michelle Hesseltine was winning 4th place in the Madden Medal with her four-year old gelding at his first show.
Her next goal is to compete in the SAHJA 2’6 Mini Medal with her current lease horse next show season. Meghan’s favorite quote is “ Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway” because it reminds her of difficult times when she was so close to giving up but rode anyway.
Her ultimate goal, besides continually improving her riding abilities, is to attend college and become a large animal veterinarian, which has been her plan forever. “She’s had many obstacles to overcome as the road of learning and mastering the horse world isn’t always easy,” shares her grandmother. “Her horses have had illnesses, injuries, refusals, and disappointments. Still, her determination and will-power wins in the end. She is an example to the young riders and they look up to her.” Meghan attends Woodland Christian High School in Woodland, CA.
Age:
16
Discipline:
Hunter/Jumper
Hometown:
Woodland, CA
Trainer:
Michelle Haseltine
School:
Woodland Christian High School
