If you have ever wondered what it takes for you and your horse to be winners on any show circuit, wonder no more. Come to our monthly program meeting, to get the “inside scoop” from our guest speaker, Sophia Hoekstra. She is the head trainer and manager at The Trinity Ranch and leader of the Trinity Show Team. As such, she specializes in developing riders and horses through a horsemanship-first approach rooted in feel, communication and respect for the horse. In fact, Sophia has been the trainer for our Youth Riding Program since its inception! So, she will also talk about what it takes to go from being a beginning rider to winning ribbons and buckles in various competitions. She’ll update us on the students NNMHA sponsors, and how she coaches new riders ready to compete for national titles. Finally, Sophia will tell us how much time is required to practice and the realities of the costs of this discipline.

Her other credentials include being a Pinto Horse Association (PtHA) World and Reserve World Champion, multiple Western Dressage Association (WDAA) World Show Top Ten finisher and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) year-end award recipient. You will hear how she has successfully trained and shown horses ranging from young prospects to national-level competitors.

Her students have gone on to earn multiple World and Reserve World Championship titles, including a PtHA Horse of the Year award earned by an amateur rider under her program. Throughout her career, Sophia has introduced more than 1,000 riders to horsemanship, always believing that happiness and partnership between horse and rider are at the heart of a successful program. Sounds like a great overview of how riders can become national winners. Bring your questions to the meeting!

Everyone is welcome to attend. Please join others for dinner beforehand, or just come for the program. LONGTIME MEMBERS: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION!