Aldergrove equestrienne Haley Stradling has brought home gold medals and buckles for her outstanding performances in cutting horse competitions in Canada and abroad in July.
Stradling was selected by the American Quarter Horse Association to represent Canada at the AQHA's Youth World Cup in Kreuth, Germany, July 22-28.
Cutting was the first event and Stradling, 15, put down a brilliant run aboard Wild at Dawn to capture both gold medals in the event. Judges Hans Kuhn of Germany and Jan Boogaerts of Belgium both gave Stradling a perfect 20 score for the event, ahead of second place Germany with 16. Switzerland and Israel tied at 15.
There were representatives from 15 countries at the Cup.
Wild At Dawn is an eight-year-old American quarter horse mare by Wild Thing Dna out of Dulce Quixote and is owned by Weglöhner and Wüst. The mare is an NCHA Money Earner and was Bavarian Champion Open.
“This is an amazing horse,” Haley said afterwards. “I’m so happy about this success!"
Stradling was the 2010 BCRCHA Junior Youth Champion and AQHA Regional Cutting Junior Youth Champion, as well as 2011 BCQHA Youth Year End Champion.
Stradling also picked up a buckle at the Calgary Stampeded last month, in cutting competition.
Cutting is an event in which the rider and horse take a cow out of a herd of 45 one at a time and prevent it from returning to the herd.
Stradling also enjoys competing in hunter-jumper events.