2025 Amateur Challenge Trainers
Vera Frazier
Vera Frazier is a 17-year-old horse trainer from Louisville, Ky. Vera competes in Extreme Mustang Makeovers and training challenges across the country. She placed 5th overall in her first youth Extreme Mustang Makeover and was Reserve Champion overall in-hand and Grand Champion in the ridden division at America’s Next Top Youth Competition. She focuses on starting young horses and helping clients with their problem horses using natural horsemanship techniques. Liberty is one of her passions, and she strives to put a solid ground and liberty foundation on every horse she trains. She firmly believes groundwork and liberty are key to a good, well-rounded horse. Her favorite part of training Mustangs and other training challenge horses is watching them transform into a healthier and more trusting horse. Building a relationship is always her first step towards helping each horse reach its full potential and succeed in whatever it may go on to do in life!
LeAnne Casey
I’ve been a horse crazy girl since I can remember. I was blessed to be able to pursue my horse dreams from the time I was 8 years old; even though my mom has always been terrified of them.
I started out riding “pasture ponies” and showing in every play-day and 4-H event. As I got older, I was able to take lessons and decided I had a passion for English riding. I learned how to ride them correctly, and what it takes to train them.
When I became an adult, I realized I couldn’t afford the finished caliber of horse I needed to be competitive, but I could afford a yearling with potential. I’ve successfully trained my last two show partners from start to finish. In 2015 my horse Novel Escape and I were finalists at the AQHA world show, and In 2016 we were 4th in the nation in AQHA Amateur Hunter Under Saddle.
I believe training a horse should be intuitive and easy; no buck, no fight, no “breaking”. Each step of the process builds the last, and the progress speed depends on the comfort level of the horse. Every horse is different and requires a thoughtful approach to reach the goal of a confident riding partner.
Lexi Sones
Hi Everyone! My name is Lexi Sones, I am seventeen, and I will be participating in the 2025 Heart of the Horse trainers challenge as an amateur trainer! My equestrian journey first started when I was nine years old. I initially started taking lessons and showing in the hunter jumpers with an english barn right here in Canton, MS. When I was fourteen years old I found my way over to Mississippi horse rescue and from there I began to develop my horse training and starting skills. It has been incredible to have the opportunity to learn from some amazing trainers who have mentored me and taught me so much throughout the years. I am so excited to participate in the Heart of the Horse again! Everyone be on the lookout for my team’s facebook page in January!
Suzanne Whitehead
My name is Suzanne and I am a lifelong lover of all equines. I am very excited for this challenge and grateful for the opportunity to help a rescue horse in need find its forever home.
I grew up in a horse family and got my first pony when I was 5. Throughout my childhood and high school years, I helped my father raise and train Tennessee Walking horses and competed in High School Rodeo in barrels and poles. I took a 20 year break from horses to start a career and raise a family, and got back into riding and showing a few years ago. Now, I successfully compete in ranch horse and obstacle competitions on my quarter horse gelding that I have personally trained and I am currently starting and training my 3 year old mule. My training process is centered around understanding and communication, with a focus on moving at the horse’s pace and forming a willing partnership.
I enjoyed watching my daughter, Julia, compete in the Heart of the Horse Trainers Challenge in 2023 with Merci, and decided I wanted to be a part of the challenge as well. I’m looking forward this journey as a chance to show off my training skills and continue to further my knowledge of horsemanship.
Ava Schuetzle
Hi my name is Ava. I started riding a little over 10 years ago at a local eventing/hunter jumper barn and have stayed there since. I’ve had the pleasure of working under many amazing trainers from both the hunter/jumper and eventing world. Around 5 years ago i began training horses with my first being my personal horse, a then 6 year old OTTB. From there my love for thoroughbreds began. 3 years ago I found Mississippi Horses when I was looking for my first pony to start from the ground up. I found and fell in love with a little appaloosa who is now competitive in the large pony hunters. 2 years later I returned for a summer job and joined their volunteer training program. I now train and still work for Mississippi Horses and enjoy taking on the harder cases.