D4K Festival

Abigail Parent was the Walk/Trot/Canter U14 Division Champion of YDF 2023

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Abigail: I’ve been on horses since I could sit up. I tried a little bit of everything when I was younger. Now, I mainly focus on dressage but I still love jumping and going on trail rides. We have had my pony since before I was born. She is now 26 and I am still competing with her to this day!

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Abigail: This year was my second year competing at YDF.

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Abigail: I really enjoyed the demos. The last time I went was during COVID so they didn’t have demos. I really enjoyed seeing horses competing at very high levels but with very different conformation while Lendon narrated what they were doing. 

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Walk/Trot/Canter Division U14 Champion?

Abigail: I was hoping for the top five and I was very surprised when I won! My dressage and equitation riding scores were good but I didn’t actually win those classes… but I had the highest written test score. I already want to start studying for next year!

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Abigail: I would like to do first level next year with Benny and bring him up the levels. My long term goal is to get my bronze medal with him. I would also like to continue showing my 26-year old Arab who I just spent a year rehabbing and am now showing again.

Q: Are you planning on returning to YDF next year?

Abigail: Yes, definitely!!!

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Abigail: I attended YDF with my 5 year old Connemara cross, Benny. My mom and I got him as a yearling from Blackwing Connemaras in Louisiana. He is like a puppy dog and will follow me anywhere! I was the first to back him and have been riding him tackless, loose in the paddock since he was very young. A girl on my team actually owns Benny’s cousin so he was able to meet him!

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Abigail: He loves to lick things just like a dog. If he's nervous or stressed he “power licks.” He also loves learning new things. I am currently teaching him new tricks, one of which is lying down on command.

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Abigail: I actually have a horse treat business called Abby’s Sweet Treats that Misty View Equestrian (owned by my mom and aunt) distribute. He really likes them. He is weird about textures though, so if I make a batch that gets a little burnt, he refuses to eat them.  He also loves the usuals like carrots and apples. 

Q: Does your horse have a favorite class at YDF?

Abigail: The trail class was really fun but Benny is a big wimp and scared of everything! At the end of the class, Margaret Freeman let him take the carrots. This class was only his fifth time in the show ring so being able to leave with carrots in his mouth made it a particularly great experience.I know he will alway enjoy going into a ring for the hope of some carrots ;). 

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform?  

Abigail: I think his favorite move is the halt!  Benny has learned to move forward off my leg but he always would prefer to halt and just hang out.

Q: Did you compete on a team this year?  If so, what was it like?

Abigail: Yes, our team was made up of 8 girls. Some of them I knew, and others I met at the show. We are already planning to be a team again next year and are brainstorming ideas for the tack room decorating contest.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add?

Abigail: Yes, I would like to thank my mom and my aunt for inspiring me to do dressage and for helping and coaching me almost every ride and for my grandmother who is my ultimate riding cheerleader.  I am also thankful to all the great coaches I have ever ridden with particularly Colleen O’Connor-Dzik, Meghan Hamilton, and Anna Phillips. In addition I am thankful to Maciel Dum who provided me with great last minute coaching at the YDF that was extremely helpful! I am also thankful for Lendon Gray and all the wonderful volunteers that made this show a possibility. Lastly, I am so incredibly thankful for the amazing horses that I have in my life. 

Bella Perkins was the Overall Division Reserve Champion of YDF 2023 

with her horse, Royal Rhapsody. 

Q: How many years have you been riding? 

Bella: 15 years 

Q: How many years have you competed at YDF?

Bella: This year was my 9th year. 

Q: What was your favorite part about YDF this year?

Bella: I loved riding our Musical Freestyle. It was my first time competing with one besides at a schooling show at home. It was so much fun!

Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were the Overall Reserve Champion?

Bella: I almost couldn’t believe it but was thrilled! I was (and still am) incredibly proud of myself and my wonderful horse. 

Q: What are your future riding goals/plans?

Bella: Short term I would like to solidify our flying changes and start working on Fourth Level. Long term I hope to be an FEI level rider and trainer and get the rest of my USDF medals.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your horse?

Bella: Royal Rhapsody is a 15 year old, 17.2hh Hanoverian. He’s a D4K Donation Horse who came to me from Canada 2 years ago. We competed pretty successfully at Second Level last year and even made it to the US Dressage Finals in Lexington. He’s my best friend!

Q: Are there any funny quirks about your horse?

Bella: After having a treat, he will use everyone around him as human lollipops. Any part of you that he can reach, he will lick!

Q: What's your horse's favorite treat?

Bella: Peppermints!

Q: Does Rhapsody have a favorite class at YDF?

Bella: I think he enjoyed the Musical Freestyle this year. He was a little nervous when he heard the music of the one before us, but once he settled down and we got into the arena, he seemed to have fun. 

Q: What's your horse's favorite dressage movement to perform? 

Bella: He likes medium and extended trots. He loves to show off!

Q: What was it like competing on a team?

Bella: Wonderful, as always. Our team is always so supportive and helpful towards one another. 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Bella: I would like to thank my trainer, Hollie McNeil; Lendon and everyone at Dressage4Kids; Rhapsody’s previous owner, Siri Ingebrigtsen; my mom; everyone that takes care of the horses at home while we’re away at shows; and everyone else who has helped me along the way! Thank you! I can’t wait to see everyone again next year!

Congratulations, Bella!