“I got into showing horses because my dad’s side of the family has always showed them, so ever since I was 2 years old, I always rode horses — not necessarily showing, but riding ponies and having fun,” Terryn said. “Two years ago, I decided to get serious and get a competitive horse.”

In her first-ever time at the show, Terryn came home a nine-time World Champion in the following categories: NY English Showmanship; NY Western Showmanship; Jr. Youth English Bareback; NY Western Pleasure; Jr. Youth Western Pleasure; NY Western Discipline Rail; Jr. Youth Western Discipline Rail; NY Western Ideal; and Jr. Youth Western Ideal.

She was also named Reserve Champion in NY Equitation and NY English Ideal.

The three primary horse riding styles are Western, English, and Group. Horse owners typically buy a horse to participate in a particular equine activity, such as trail riding or dressage. Generally, the discipline dictates the tack and riding style. The origins of each class, the saddles used, and the horse and rider’s positioning distinguish these styles from each other.

There are also several sub-categories of riding types that fall under each of these primary disciplines. Specific characteristics of each horse breed determine how the horse functions within a person’s favorite horse riding style.

Terryn rides in the all-around at shows, which consist of Western and English riding events. She said the world show was the next destination for her goals with riding and preparation for the show included many hours of practice.

“My competition is from all of the U.S. and from Canada. I have been preparing for two years, ever since I bought my horse, because the world show was always our goal,” Terryn said. “I have also been riding four times a week, and have been showing every weekend to prepare for such a big show, lots of hard work and dedication definitely paid off.”

Over $750,000 in prizes and awards — including 124 highpoint and reserve highpoint awards — were awarded during the show. There are many rules and regulations that go into preparing a horse and its rider for a show competition depending on the discipline or showing.

Terryn has competed in seven separate shows this year alone outside of the Pinto show. She said the goal was to be able to attend the World Show, but garnering the wins, or buckles as they’re known in the equestrian world, was a major benefit as a first time competitor.

“I was always hoping to win because I am very competitive person, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be coming home with 11 buckles,” Terryn said. “My high point novice youth saddle is my most treasured accomplishment from the 2021 world show.”

Of course, Terryn wouldn’t have won all of her titles without the help of her favorite horse, Bill Simon, who she showed at the Pinto World Championship. Having family and friends there to show support boosted Terryn’s spirits while competing.

“My favorite horse is definitely Bill Simon,” Terryn said. “He has taken me everywhere and done anything I ask of him. He is always willing to please. My favorite part about shows is competing against tough competition from all over, and I also loved having my family and friends in the stands cheering me on.”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic halting many of the shows this year, Terryn said she plans to continue attending, competing, and caring for her horse.

“The season was impacted mostly last year because there were very little shows due to COVID-19,” Terryn said. “My main goal for 2021 is to be No. 1 in the 13-and-under group in the U.S.”

For young riders, equestrian can be a challenging sport to pursue due to the low number of riding centers located in a given area.

The number one location for equestrian culture in the United States is Louisville, Kentucky, where the world-famous Kentucky Derby is held. Michigan has a number of major centers for riders, including the West Michigan Equestrian Center in Muskegon and the Great Lakes Equestrian Center in West Olive.

Terryn said she hopes more kids can get involved in equestrian through increasing access to younger riders in the future, especially after the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic presented.

“It’s more difficult to find places to ride so making the availability possible for all youth to have access to facilities to ride is very important,” Terryn said. “In equestrian, my advice would be that as long as you are willing to put the work in anything can happen.”

Incorporated in 1956, the Pinto Horse Association of America was formed to encourage the promotion of quality horses, ponies and miniatures with color and to establish a registry for maintaining their show records and pedigrees. The Championship show this year included 900 horses that were pre-entered with over 7,000 class entries entered in 768 classes.